Ginger Beer: A Beginner's Guide To Drinking It

Ginger beer is a popular mixer for cocktails, adding a fizzy, spicy kick to a wide range 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.

You can use ginger beer in a number of cocktails, including the Moscow Mule, the Dark and Stormy, the El Diablo, the Mexican Mule, and the Floradora. It can also be used in non-alcoholic drinks, such as the Shirley Temple.

Ginger beer cocktails

Ginger beer is a versatile mixer, perfect for both cocktails and mocktails. Here are some cocktail recipes that use ginger beer:

Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is a classic cocktail that's bold, zingy, and bubbly. It's made with vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. Simply combine these three ingredients in a copper mug, add ice, garnish with a lime slice, and serve.

Dark and Stormy

The Dark and Stormy is a refreshing highball drink made with dark rum, spicy ginger beer, and a squeeze of lime. The rich, earthy flavours of the rum combine beautifully with the effervescent, fruity notes of the ginger beer.

El Diablo

The El Diablo is a unique cocktail that combines bold berries, zingy lime, and spicy ginger to complement the bite of tequila. It's made with tequila reposado, crème de cassis, lime juice, and ginger beer.

Irish Buck

The Irish Buck is a refreshing cocktail that combines light, oaky Irish whiskey with tart lemon juice, honey, and spicy ginger beer. It's a perfect drink to enjoy on a warm day, as it's both refreshing and flavourful.

Mexican Mule

The Mexican Mule is a bold and bubbly variation of the classic mule. It's made with tequila, lime juice, and ginger beer. The bite of the tequila combines beautifully with the spicy ginger and zingy lime, making it a perfect choice for your next gathering.

Floradora

The Floradora is a light, bubbly, and beautifully pink cocktail that dates back to the early 1900s. It's made with gin, raspberry syrup (or Chambord), lime juice, and ginger beer. The sweet and tart flavours of this drink make it a perfect choice for those who enjoy a balance of flavours.

Ginger Beer Margaritas

This simple cocktail combines ginger beer, simple syrup, fresh lime juice, tequila, and salt for the rim. The key to this drink is using quality tequila, preferably made with 100% agave. This cocktail is easy to make and can be served immediately.

Ginger beer mocktails

Ginger beer is a versatile drink that can be used in both cocktails and mocktails. Here are some creative ways to make mocktails with ginger beer:

Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail

This mocktail is a sweet and fizzy drink with a splash of lime. It is easy to make and only requires three ingredients: pineapple juice, non-alcoholic ginger beer, and fresh lime. Start by pouring 3 ounces of pineapple juice into an 8-10oz glass filled with ice. Top it off with 3-4 ounces of ginger beer and a generous squeeze of lime juice. Garnish with a slice of lime, and your mocktail is ready to be enjoyed!

Merry Cherry Lime Ginger Beer

This mocktail is a festive drink that can be enjoyed during the holidays or any time of the year. It is made with maraschino cherry juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, ginger beer or ginger ale, and a splash of seltzer. Fill a glass with crushed ice, add the cherry and lime juice, then top it off with ginger beer and seltzer. Garnish with a lime wedge, a few cherries, and a sprig of fresh mint. This drink is refreshing, sweet, and gingery.

Ginger Beer Mocktail with Honey and Lemon

This mocktail combines the classic flavors of honey, lemon, and ginger to create a soothing and invigorating drink. It is simple to make and only requires honey syrup, fresh lemon juice, ginger beer, ice, and water. Start by making the honey syrup by mixing equal parts hot water and honey. Then, in a rocks glass, combine lemon juice, honey syrup, and cold water. Fill the glass with crushed ice and top it off with ginger beer. Adjust the proportions to your taste and garnish with lemon slices. This mocktail is sweet, sour, and spicy, making it a perfect alcohol-free option.

The Shirley Temple

The classic Shirley Temple is a well-known mocktail that uses ginger beer. This drink is bubbly, refreshing, and perfect for those looking for a non-alcoholic option.

The Pimm's Cup

The Pimm's Cup is a popular British mixed drink that uses ginger beer to add a bubbly twist. It is an excellent choice for entertaining, as it only requires a few ingredients and no cocktail shaker.

Ginger beer with spirits

Ginger beer is a versatile mixer that can be combined with a variety of spirits to create refreshing cocktails. Here are some ideas for mixing ginger beer with spirits:

Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is a classic cocktail that is probably the most well-known ginger beer-based drink. It typically contains vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. It is served in a copper mug and garnished with a lime wedge and fresh mint. This drink is bubbly, zingy, and bold, and can be prepared in just a few minutes.

Dark 'n' Stormy

The Dark 'n' Stormy is another classic cocktail that is similar to the Moscow Mule but uses dark rum instead of vodka. It usually includes ginger beer, dark rum, and lime juice. The dark rum gives it a bolder flavor that pairs well with the full-bodied ginger beer. This cocktail is often served in a copper mug and garnished with a lime wedge.

Irish Mule

The Irish Mule is a variation of the Moscow Mule that replaces vodka with Irish whiskey. It typically contains Irish whiskey, lime juice, and ginger beer. This cocktail is garnished with a lime wedge and fresh mint.

Pimm's Cup

The Pimm's Cup is a simple yet elegant cocktail that combines Pimm's No.1 and quality ginger beer in a tall cocktail glass. It is garnished with orange slices, strawberries, cucumber, and mint, giving it a fancy look.

Tequila and Ginger Beer

Tequila and ginger beer is a combination that packs a punch. You can create a Cranberry Ginger Paloma by combining tequila, cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, agave syrup, and ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve in a highball glass rimmed with salt and cinnamon.

Gin and Ginger Beer

Although gin and ginger may not seem like an obvious combination, it can result in a surprisingly refreshing cocktail. One option is to combine gin, lemon juice, jelly, bitters, and ginger beer in a mason jar, garnished with a lemon wedge.

These are just a few examples of the many ways you can mix ginger beer with spirits to create delicious cocktails. Get creative and experiment with different spirits, juices, and garnishes to find your perfect combination!

Ginger beer with tequila

Ginger beer is a versatile drink that can be used in a variety of cocktails, including the Moscow Mule, Dark and Stormy, and Mexican Mule. Here are some ways to make delicious ginger beer cocktails with tequila:

The Mexican Mule

The Mexican Mule is a twist on the traditional Moscow Mule, which is made with vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. For the Mexican Mule, simply swap out the vodka for tequila and add a splash of Cointreau and a couple of jalapeno slices for heat. This cocktail is best served in a copper mug to keep it cold.

The El Diablo

The El Diablo is a combination of tequila and ginger beer, with a touch of mezcal for a smoky flavour. The recipe also calls for lime juice and creme de cassis, a type of sweet, dark red liqueur made from blackcurrants. To make the El Diablo, combine the tequila, lime juice, and creme de cassis in a highball glass, add ice, and stir. Top it off with ginger beer and garnish with a lime wheel.

Ginger Beer Margaritas

This cocktail is a fun twist on the classic margarita, made with ginger beer, simple syrup, fresh lime juice, tequila, and salt for the rim. It's important to use a quality tequila, preferably one that is made with 100% agave. To make the margarita, line a small serving glass with lime juice and dip it in coarse salt. Then, add tequila, lime juice, ginger beer, simple syrup, and ice to a large glass or cocktail shaker and stir vigorously. Pour the mixture into the serving glass over ice, garnish with a lime wedge, and serve immediately.

The El Diablo, Take Two

For a slightly different take on the El Diablo, try this recipe:

Ingredients:

• Tequila reposado
• Creme de cassis
• Lime juice
• Ginger beer

Method: Combine the tequila, lime juice, and creme de cassis in a highball glass, add ice, and stir to incorporate. Top it off with ginger beer and garnish with a lime wheel.

Ginger beer with whiskey

Ginger beer and whiskey is a classic cocktail combination. The sweetness of the whiskey cuts through the spiciness of the ginger beer, and the two complement each other perfectly. Here is a guide to making the perfect ginger beer with whiskey:

Glassware and Ingredients:

To make this cocktail, you will need a highball glass and a cocktail spoon. In terms of ingredients, the basic recipe calls for whiskey, ginger beer, lime juice, and ice. You can also add fresh herbs like basil or mint for garnish, and simple syrup to taste.

For the whiskey, you can use Irish whiskey, Kentucky Bourbon, Scotch, or Canadian Rye, depending on your preference. Irish whiskey, in particular, lends a basic sweetness to the drink. For the ginger beer, opt for a Caribbean-style non-alcoholic variety, such as Fever Tree or The Great Jamaican Ginger Beer Co. Freshly squeezed lime juice is highly recommended, as it makes a difference in the overall taste of the cocktail.

Preparation:

Start by filling your highball glass with ice. Add your chosen whiskey—a standard measure is around 1.5 to 2 ounces—and squeeze in the lime juice. Give the mixture a quick stir with your cocktail spoon. Top the glass with ginger beer and give it a final stir to combine all the ingredients. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil or mint, and your cocktail is ready to enjoy!

Variations:

The beauty of this cocktail is that it can be customised to your taste preferences. If you prefer your drink on the sweeter side, you can add a touch more simple syrup or swap out the ginger beer for ginger ale. Conversely, if you want to enhance the spiciness, opt for a ginger beer with a stronger ginger profile. You can also experiment with different types of whiskey to find your favourite combination.

Frequently asked questions