Beatrix Montes
Ginger beer is a popular mixer for cocktails, adding a fizzy, spicy kick to a wide variety of drinks. It's a carbonated, non-alcoholic drink made with sugar and ginger, similar to ginger ale but less sweet and with a stronger ginger flavour. It's a versatile mixer, working well with vodka, rum, tequila, whiskey, and gin, and it's also perfect for mocktails.
The most famous ginger beer cocktail is the Moscow Mule, a simple mix of vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. But there are many other cocktails and mocktails that use ginger beer, including the Dark and Stormy, the El Diablo, the Whiskey Highball, the Pimm's Cup, the Mexican Mule, the Floradora, the Gin Gin Mule, the Kentucky Mule, and the Shirley Temple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Serve in | A copper mug, stainless steel mug, Collins glass, or a normal glass |
| Ice | Optional |
| Alcohol content | Non-alcoholic |
| Garnish | Lime wedge, lime wheel, mint sprig, vanilla bean, lemon twist, etc. |
| Ginger beer brands | Fever-Tree, Q Ginger Beer, Bundaberg, Cock n Bull, etc. |
What You'll Learn
Ginger beer cocktails
Ginger beer is a versatile mixer, perfect for cocktails and mocktails. It can be paired with a variety of spirits, including vodka, rum, tequila, whiskey, and gin. Here are some ginger beer cocktail recipes to get you started:
Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule is a classic cocktail that is simple to make and can be prepared in minutes. It is typically served in a copper mug, which keeps the drink well chilled and adds a nice flavour to it. To make a Moscow Mule, you'll need vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. Simply pour the vodka and lime juice into a copper mug or glass filled with ice, and top it off with ginger beer. Give it a stir, garnish with a lime wedge, and enjoy!
Dark and Stormy
The Dark and Stormy is a refreshing highball drink made with dark rum and ginger beer. The rich, earthy flavours of the rum, with notes of vanilla and brown sugar, pair perfectly with the spicy ginger beer. To make this cocktail, combine dark rum and ginger beer in a glass, add a squeeze of lime, and give it a stir.
El Diablo
If you're looking for something a little different, try the El Diablo. This cocktail combines tequila reposado, crème de cassis, lime juice, and ginger beer. The bold berries, zingy lime, and spicy ginger complement the bite of the tequila, creating a unique and tasty drink.
Irish Buck
For a refreshing, fizzy cocktail, try the Irish Buck. This drink combines Irish whiskey, lemon juice, honey, and ginger beer. The light yet oaky flavour of the whiskey blends beautifully with the tart lemon juice and spicy ginger beer, resulting in a cocktail that's perfect for any occasion.
Ginger Beer Margaritas
Ginger Beer Margaritas are a fun twist on the classic margarita. This cocktail combines tequila, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, salt for the rim, and of course, ginger beer. The key to a good margarita is to use quality tequila, preferably made with 100% agave. Simply rim a glass with lime juice and salt, add the remaining ingredients with ice, give it a stir, and enjoy!
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Ginger beer mocktails
Ginger beer is a versatile drink that can be used to make a variety of mocktails. Here are some ideas for ginger beer mocktails:
Berry Ginger Beer Mocktail
This mocktail is a perfect summer drink and is family-friendly. It combines the sweetness of berries with the spice of ginger beer and a bit of lemon and sparkling water. To make it, create a berry simple syrup by simmering sugar, water, and frozen mixed berries. Then, fill a glass with crushed ice, add the simple syrup, lemon juice, ginger beer, and sparkling water. Top it off with fresh mixed berries and a sprig of mint for garnish. This mocktail is a great option for your next barbecue!
Merry Cherry Lime Ginger Beer
This mocktail is a festive drink perfect for the holiday season, but it can be enjoyed any time of the year. It is made with ginger beer, maraschino cherry juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, and a splash of seltzer. Fill a glass with crushed ice, add the cherry and lime juice, then pour in the ginger beer and top it off with seltzer. Garnish with a lime wedge, some cherries, and a sprig of mint. This mocktail is a show-stopper and will be loved by both kids and adults.
Lemon Thyme Ginger Beer
For this mocktail, shake up lemon juice and thyme simple syrup, and then pour it into a tall glass. Top it off with ginger beer for a refreshing drink that is both herbal and a little sweet and spicy.
Virgin Mule
A virgin mule, or a mock Moscow Mule, is a simple mocktail made with ginger beer, lime, and mint. It is a great option for those who want to enjoy the classic Moscow Mule without the alcohol.
Gunner
A gunner is a unique mocktail made with equal parts ginger beer and ginger ale, angostura bitters, and lime juice. It offers a different flavour profile compared to a traditional ginger beer mocktail.
Apple Cider Ginger Beer
This mocktail is a great autumnal drink and is perfect for those who want to enjoy apple cider with a twist. Simply mix apple cider (or cloudy apple juice) with ginger beer and lime juice. You can also add bitters to enhance the flavour.
These mocktail recipes are a great way to enjoy the spiciness and fizz of ginger beer while avoiding alcohol. They are perfect for any occasion, whether you're looking for a festive drink or a refreshing summer beverage.
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Best ginger beer brands
Ginger beer is a popular mixer for cocktails, adding a fizzy, spicy kick to drinks like the classic Moscow Mule, Dark and Stormy, and the Whiskey Highball. It's also a great non-alcoholic option for mocktails.
When choosing a ginger beer to use in your cocktails, it's important to note that not all ginger beers are created equal. Some are sweeter, some pack a more powerful ginger punch, and some are more complex than others. Here are some of the best ginger beer brands to elevate your cocktails:
Q Ginger Beer
Q Ginger Beer is a popular choice for a single-serving mixer. It comes in small cans, so you don't have to open a large bottle. This ginger beer is on the sweeter side, using agave as its sweetener, and has a spicy kick from the addition of chili peppers, coriander, and cardamom extracts. It's the perfect size for a single cocktail or when you're looking for a smaller serving.
Fever Tree Ginger Beer
Fever Tree Ginger Beer is another excellent option for your cocktails. It offers a surprising amount of spice and has a nice, tangy finish. This ginger beer is sweetened with sugar and contains real ginger root, giving it a complex and aromatic profile. It pairs well with sweeter bourbons and can also be used in fruitier rum-based cocktails.
Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer
If you're looking for a classic, Goslings is the way to go. This ginger beer is best known as the essential ingredient for a traditional Dark 'n Stormy cocktail. It has the right amount of zing and sweetness, with a balance of spice and sugar. While it uses high fructose corn syrup for sweetness, it is still a popular choice and pairs well with Goslings Black Seal Rum for an authentic Dark 'n Stormy.
Reed's Extra Craft Ginger Beer
Reed's Extra Craft Ginger Beer is a great choice if you're looking for a little extra kick in your cocktails, especially the Moscow Mule. This Jamaican-style blend has plenty of cane sugar to balance the ginger, resulting in a medium heat that won't irritate your throat. It's widely available and perfect for mixing cocktails for two.
Maine Root Ginger Brew
For those who like their ginger beer extra spicy, Maine Root Ginger Brew is an excellent organic, non-alcoholic option. It provides a strong, almost aggressive wash of spice without a strong finish. This soda company is based in Maine and is committed to using sustainable and organic ingredients, including fair-trade certified organic sugar cane and ginger.
These ginger beer brands will surely elevate your cocktail game and provide a range of flavour profiles to suit different tastes and preferences.
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Ginger beer's history
Ginger beer was first created in Yorkshire, England, in the mid-1700s during the colonial spice trade. It was initially made as a fermented alcoholic beverage using ginger, sugar, water, and optional lemon and/or cream of tartar. The mixture was left to ferment until it became bubbly and slightly alcoholic, then strained, and a portion of the old batch was used to make the new one. The name "beer" is misleading, as it was never actually a beer; rather, the production methods were similar.
Ginger beer is more closely related to the 'small beers' popular in Europe from the Medieval period until Industrialization. These weakly alcoholic, fermented beverages were typically brewed at home and provided a safer alternative to often-contaminated water. The history of ginger beer is tied to the cultural and economic importance of its two main ingredients, ginger and sugar. Ginger and sugarcane, crops native to tropical regions of South Asia, were introduced to Europe via the spice trade.
In the 18th century, ginger beer became a popular drink in Britain and North America, and it remained so until Prohibition. It was also exported worldwide, thanks to the availability of strong, earthenware bottles. England shipped large amounts to the U.S. and Canada beginning in the 1790s and maintained market dominance in North America due to the superior quality of their stoneware bottles, which better preserved the drink's effervescence and kept it cold.
In the mid-19th century, most ginger beer brewers reduced the alcohol content in their products to keep them affordable. After this, the drink's popularity began to wane in favour of its cousin, ginger ale, and other soft drinks. Today, the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale is much less clear, and many manufacturers use an abiotic process to make or enhance ginger beer, adding flavouring and carbonation without the use of a microorganism.
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Ginger beer's health benefits
Ginger beer is a popular drink mixer, but it also has some impressive health benefits. Firstly, it's a great natural remedy for nausea and morning sickness. This is because it aids digestion and helps food move smoothly through the stomach, reducing stomach discomfort. It does this by activating saliva and bile production. Ginger beer can also help to relieve body inflammation, such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, gastritis, and esophagitis, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
The drink has also been found to have anti-bacterial properties, and studies have shown that it can be more effective than antibiotics in suppressing microbial activity. Ginger beer can also help to prevent cancer and heart disease, as it contains powerful antioxidants that help to prevent disease and maintain a healthy, youthful appearance. It can also help to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by reducing cholesterol levels.
Finally, ginger beer can help to prevent and treat diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels.
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Frequently asked questions
Ginger beer is a versatile drink that can be enjoyed on its own or as a mixer for cocktails and mocktails. It pairs well with lime, lemon, berries, and mint, which complement its spicy notes.
Some popular cocktails made with ginger beer include the Moscow Mule, Dark and Stormy, El Diablo, Whiskey Highball, Pimm's Cup, Mexican Mule, and Floradora.
The best ginger beer for cocktails will depend on your preference for sweetness and spice. Some brands to consider include Q Ginger Beer, Fever-Tree Ginger Beer, Bundaberg Ginger Beer, and Cock n Bull Ginger Beer.
While ginger ale can be used in place of ginger beer, it will create a less spicy and sweeter drink. Using ginger ale in a Moscow Mule, for example, will result in a vodka buck or a vodka press.
