Ginger Beer Drink Recipes: Creative, Refreshing Ideas

Ginger beer is a popular mixer for cocktails, adding a fizzy flair to drinks of all kinds. It's a carbonated non-alcoholic beverage made with sugar and ginger, similar to ginger ale but less sweet with a stronger ginger flavour.

The most famous ginger beer cocktail is the Moscow Mule, a simple combination of vodka, lime juice and ginger beer. But there are many more drinks you can make with ginger beer, including the Dark and Stormy, the El Diablo, the Mexican Mule, the Kentucky Mule, the Irish Mule, the Floradora, the Gin Gin Mule, the Pimm's Cup, and the Whiskey Highball.

You can also make mocktails with ginger beer, such as the Shirley Temple.

Ginger Beer Drink Recipes

Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is a cocktail that combines vodka, ginger beer, and lime. It is served in an iconic copper mug, which enhances the drink's cold temperature and makes it seem extra refreshing. The Moscow Mule is part of a family of cocktails called a "buck", which includes a spirit with citrus and ginger beer.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces of vodka
• 1/2 ounce of fresh lime juice (about 1/2 a medium lime)
• 4 ounces of ginger beer
• Lime wedge, for garnish

Directions:

• Fill a copper mug or similarly-sized glass with ice.
• Pour in the vodka and lime juice.
• Fill the glass with ginger beer and gently swirl it with a spoon once to mix.
• Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!

You can also add a sprig of fresh mint for a drink reminiscent of a mint julep.

The choice of ginger beer can make a big difference in the taste of the Moscow Mule. Some popular brands of ginger beer to consider are:

• Fever-Tree
• Q Ginger Beer
• Bottoms Up Ginger Beer
• Fentiman's Ginger Beer
• Reed's Extra Ginger Brew

Dark 'n' Stormy

The Dark 'n' Stormy is a crisp and refreshing cocktail and is Bermuda's national drink. It is made using dark rum, which has rich, earthy, vanilla and brown sugar notes. This is combined with spicy ginger beer, which is fruity and effervescent. The cocktail is topped off with a squeeze of tangy lime.

To make the Dark 'n' Stormy, you will need:

• Dark rum
• Ginger beer
• Lime wedge
• Ice

The drink is served in a copper mug or glass, with the dark rum floating on top of the lighter ginger beer, resembling a storm cloud.

When choosing a ginger beer, it is important to note that not all ginger beers are created equal. Some are sweeter than others, and pack a more intense ginger flavour. The choice of ginger beer will have a significant impact on the character of the final cocktail.

For a fun twist on the Dark 'n' Stormy, you can try the Dark 'n' Stormy Spritz, or the Dark 'n' Stormy Ginger, which is a gorgeous layered cocktail that is perfect for Instagram.

Pimm's Cup

The Pimm's Cup is a quintessential British cocktail, perfect for summer. It is light, bright, and thirst-quenching, with about half the alcohol of most other highballs. It is also simple to make, making it a great option for parties.

The classic Pimm's Cup recipe is credited to James Pimm, who owned an oyster bar in London in the mid-1800s. The drink is now also associated with New Orleans and is the signature cocktail of Wimbledon, where it is served by the pitcher.

The traditional version calls for sparkling lemonade, but some prefer the fizz of ginger ale, ginger beer, Sprite, or lemon-lime soda, or even fresh lemon juice and seltzer. Garnishes can include sliced strawberries, citrus, cucumber, or a mini bouquet of herbs like basil or tarragon.

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• 2 oz. Pimm's No. 1
• 3 oz. ginger beer or ginger ale
• 1 sprig fresh mint (5 to 6 leaves)
• Sliced strawberries, cucumber, orange, or other fruit for garnish

Directions:

• Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice.
• Add Pimm's.
• Top with ginger beer, and garnish with a slice of cucumber, a strawberry, and a sprig of mint.

For a more complex version, try this recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 long, thin cucumber slice, for garnish
• 2 thin cucumber rounds, for muddling
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• 2 ounces Pimm's No. 1
• 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 2 1/2 ounces ginger beer
• 1 strawberry, for garnish
• 1 mint sprig, for garnish

Directions:

• Fill a chilled Collins glass (or another tall, slender glass) 3/4 full with ice cubes and place a long garnish slice of cucumber running down along the inside of the glass.
• Add cucumber slices and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker.
• Muddle the cucumber slices and syrup, then add the Pimm’s and lemon juice.
• Shake with ice, then strain into your Collins glass.
• Top with ginger beer or ginger ale. Garnish with a cucumber wheel, a speared strawberry, and/or a sprig of mint.

Blueberry Buck Whiskey

A refreshing cocktail, the Blueberry Buck Whiskey is a drink that's easy to make and perfect for summer. It's made with just a handful of simple ingredients: blueberries, lemon, ginger beer, and whiskey. Here's a recipe you can follow:

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons organic sugar
• 15 fresh blueberries
• 1-2 ounces ginger beer
• 1 oz blueberry juice
• 1 oz whiskey
• Fresh mint, lemon slice, blueberries for garnish (optional)

Method:

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the lemon and sugar. Add blueberries and muddle until all the blueberries are crushed. Pour in the whiskey, cover, and shake vigorously. Fill a rocks glass with ice and strain the cocktail over the ice. Top it off with ginger beer and garnish if desired.

Tips:

• You can use fresh or frozen blueberries. If using frozen blueberries, muddle them in a separate glass and add them to the cocktail shaker after the sugar has dissolved in the lemon and whiskey.
• This recipe serves 1 person. If you're making a larger batch, simply multiply the ingredients by the number of servings needed and mix everything in a punch bowl or jug instead of a cocktail shaker.
• For a slightly different take on this drink, you can try using ginger beer in place of club soda for a sweeter and gingery drink.

Irish Mule

The Irish Mule is a refreshing cocktail with a kick, perfect for St. Patrick's Day or any time of year. It's a fun twist on the classic Moscow Mule, replacing vodka with Irish whiskey. It's a great option for whiskey lovers and those looking for a fun party drink.

Ingredients:

• Irish whiskey (a popular choice is Jameson)
• Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• Ginger beer (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
• Mint (optional)
• Ice

Glassware:

The Irish Mule is typically served in a copper mug, which keeps the drink refreshingly cold and adds a touch of elegance to your drinking experience. However, you can also use a glass tumbler or a cocktail glass.

Directions:

• Fill your chosen glassware with ice.
• Pour in approximately 2 ounces of Irish whiskey.
• Add about 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice (or juice from half a lime).
• Top it off with ginger beer to your taste. If you prefer a stronger whiskey flavour, use less ginger beer, and for a sweeter drink, add more.
• Stir the ingredients together to mix them well.
• Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime slice (optional).

The Irish Mule is a simple yet delightful cocktail that is perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the refreshing combination of spicy ginger beer and Irish whiskey, with a tangy touch of lime!

Frequently asked questions