Ginger beer cocktails offer bright sweetness and sultry depth at the same time. This combination means that this ingredient is a perfect staple for your bar.
Ginger beer is ginger ale’s deep and spicy cousin. Despite its name, this soft drink does not usually contain any alcohol. The name comes from the short fermentation behind the original ginger beer recipe. These days, ginger beer can be manufactured without the fermentation or brewing process.
It is a popular choice for cocktails because it is a versatile ingredient. Ginger beer is well known for its inclusion in mule cocktails and dark and stormy cocktails.
The depth found in this soda means that it is a great option for autumnal or wintery drinks. Meanwhile, it also does well when mixed with fruit juices, which means it can also be a great choice in the warmer months.
Read on to learn about some of the ginger beer recipes that you can make at home.
Ginger Beer Cocktail Origin and Ingredients
Ginger beer cocktails can trace their origin to the creation of ginger beer in England during the 1700s. This creation happened during the heyday of the spice trade, which meant that spices such as ginger were now available to Europeans for the first time.
The original version of this beverage used to be more fermented, and as a result, it was more alcoholic. However, it was never actually a beer. This drink was always either non-alcoholic or very low in terms of alcohol content.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
The Spruce Eats
This playful cocktail is the perfect choice if you want a complex and refreshing method of drinking your ginger beer. Originally, this cocktail originated as a way to celebrate the 4th of July. Combine your ginger beer with absinthe, blueberry vodka, simple syrup, lemon juice, raspberry liquor, and blueberries.
Champagne Moscow Mule
Sometimes champagne can be great, even when not served in a champagne flute. Add some champagne to your copper mug cocktail to give it a bit of light and fizzy flavor.
Beyond the addition of the champagne, this recipe does not vary too significantly from a regular Moscow Mule. You can make this simple cocktail for New Years, or to simply celebrate a new week.
Cider Ginger Beer Sangria
Cider Ginger Beer Sangria is the perfect autumnal treat. The mixture of hard apple cider, fresh apple cider, ginger beer, apple brandy, and fruit provides layers of apple flavor. This sangria is also the perfect cocktail if you need to quickly make a big batch of cocktails right before a party.
Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule
Cranberry and orange work together to give the Moscow mule a refreshing yet holiday-friendly spin. If you want an option other than eggnog, this is a great choice for your holiday parties. Other than the ginger beer and vodka often found in a Moscow Mule, this cocktail also contains triple sec, cranberry juice, orange slices, and fresh cranberries.
Dark and Stormy
The Dark and Stormy is one of the most well-known rum cocktails with ginger beer that you can order. It is also one of the simplest cocktails that you can make yourself. All you need to do is stir together dark rum and ginger beer. Finish the drink with a bit of lime. Though it is simple, each of the ingredients plays an important role in the taste of this drink.
El Diablo
This bold tequila cocktail brings together flavors of lime, ginger, and black currant liquor. You can trace El Diablo back to the 1940s. This cocktail hits all of the target flavor notes, including spice, tartness, and sweetness.
Floradora
Created in the early 1900s, this light and fruity drink is the perfect classic way to enjoy your ginger beer and gin. In addition to those two staple ingredients, this cocktail also includes raspberry syrup and lime juice.
The result is a sweet and tangy treat. While you can buy raspberry syrup or liquor, this recipe also includes instructions for how you can make your raspberry syrup.
Foghorn
This simple gin cocktail with ginger beer is the perfect, refreshing treat on a hot day. To make this cocktail, simply combine gin, ginger beer, and lime juice. Garnish your drink with a wedge of lime. You may think that the recipe sounds too basic, but the simplicity allows you to appreciate the subtle complexity to shine through.
Fresh Blueberry Buck Whiskey Cocktail
Ginger beer joins whiskey, blueberries, lemon juice, blueberry juice, and mint. You can make this recipe with many different kinds of whiskey. If you want, you can make this into a bourbon ginger beer cocktail.
The flavor of this cocktail is complex and delicious. It is a perfect mix of citrus, spice, and earthiness. For the best results, try this recipe when blueberries are in season.
Ginger Beer Paloma
The Ginger Beer Paloma recipe is very similar to a regular Paloma. The big difference is that ginger beer is used instead of soda water. The result is an added spice level and some additional depth. Choose this drink if you want a refreshing summer cocktail.
Ginger Beergaritas
While beergaritas are made with regular beer, these ginger beergaritas offer a tangy and lighter alternative. Tequila, lime juice, and additional ginger syrup bring out the lighter notes of the ginger.
This cocktail is perfect if you want a fun, yet simple cocktail to drink outside on a hot summer day. A salt rim adds a bit of extra flair and flavor.
Ginger Rickey
If you are looking for a light but complex drink for your holiday party. The Ginger Rickey is a play on the traditional gin rickey. Rather than lime and soda water, this version aims to be more winter-friendly with cranberry juice and a ginger beer float. Since this recipe is so simple, it is easy for you to make this for a holiday party.
Horsefeather
This classic cocktail is a whiskey-centric cousin of the Moscow Mule. The other big difference is the presence of bitters. Choose this recipe if you want a tasty, multi-faceted recipe that uses very few ingredients. All you need is whiskey, ginger beer, Angostura bitters, and a wedge of lemon or lime.
Irish Ale
When it comes to ginger beer cocktails, whiskey is a natural accompaniment. The earthiness of the whiskey nicely compliments the spice of the ginger. The result is a gently sweet flavor that makes for a nice sip any day of the year. This cocktail is also known as an Irish mule.
Lemonade Moscow Mule Cocktail
Choose this vodka ginger beer cocktail if you want a refreshing spin on the traditional Moscow Mule. The deep and sultry ginger beer in this recipe is a perfect balance for the brightness of the lemonade.
While this drink is delicately complex, it also does not require many ingredients. Other than the ginger beer, vodka, and lemonade, you only need lime juice, lemon and lime slices, and fresh mint.
Pimm’s Cup
A Pimm’s Cup cocktail can come in several different varieties. The most important ingredient of any Pimm’s cup is some Pimm’s mix. Even though this cocktail comes with a complex and refreshing flavor, it is easy to make. This particular recipe also uses ginger beer and plenty of fruit. Make this recipe to refresh you on a hot day.
Pina Colada Moscow Mule
A taste of a beach vacation is within your grasp, as long as you have four simple ingredients. Make this rum and ginger beer cocktail with a few simple ingredients.
All you need to do is combine rum, lime juice, and pina colada mix. Finish the drink off with some ginger beer. For a bit of flair, you can garnish your drink with lime and pineapple slices.
Pineapple Punch with Ginger Beer
Pineapple may not be the first companion you consider for ginger. However, these two flavors work very well together. The citrus on the pineapple works well with the ginger spice, and the depth of ginger beer provides a good compliment to the lighter flavors in the drink. Other than ginger beer and pineapple juice, this recipe also requires orange juice, light rum, and lime juice. This punch is great for a warm day when made in a batch.
Skeleton Key
This drink is named for its color, which mirrors a rusty key. As a result, the Skeleton Key is perfect for a Halloween Cocktail. A rich and complex flavor comes from the mix of bourbon, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, ginger beer, and angostura bitters. The taste of this drink is not creepy at all, and it is perfect if you want something refreshing.
White Wine Ginger Beer Sangria
Choose this drink if you want to provide guests with a refreshing batch cocktail on a hot summer day. Fruit juices bring out the sweetness of the drink, while the ginger simple syrup brings some spice. Finish the drink off with ginger beer, and this step adds some depth of flavor and some fizz.
Conclusion
This unique ingredient is perfect for cocktails on many occasions. Combine it with whiskey, tequila, vodka, or even add it to sangria. Ginger beer is a great choice if you want to add a bit of depth, while you maintain some lightness in your cocktails. So, the next time you have some on hand and you want to try a new cocktail, try one from this list!
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out the question and answer section below if you’re still unsure when and how to use this drink.
How to make simple ginger beer?
You can make a simple version using a mix of lemon juice, ginger syrup, water, and brewer’s yeast in a closable bottle. After mixing these ingredients, you can store them for a few days while the mixture becomes fizzy. Do not leave your homemade beverage for too long since it can explode after a while.
Is ginger beer alcoholic?
It is non-alcoholic. However, there are certain brands of hard ginger beer that you can buy.
What is the difference between ginger beer and root beer?
While both soft drinks use roots in their flavoring, these beverages are very different. Traditionally, sassafras was used in root beer. Now, several flavoring agents work in root beer, including vanilla, licorice, and caramel. Ginger beer always has ginger as its predominant flavor.
Where can I buy ginger beer?
You can buy ginger beer from many grocery stores and liquor stores. However, this soft drink is slightly less common than other sodas. Therefore, if you do not find it at your local grocery store, you may need to check specialty stores or check online.
Does ginger beer have caffeine?
Ginger beer generally should not have any caffeine in it.
Does ginger beer help with nausea?
Ginger can be helpful when it comes to reducing nausea. The slight fermentation used to make ginger beer can also be good for relieving nausea. However, the sugar and carbonation found in it can make digestion issues worse.
As a result, this beverage should not be your first choice when it comes to relieving nausea. In a pinch, ginger beer will still be better for helping your digestion issues than other soft drinks that are not fermented or made without ginger.
Is ginger beer good for acid reflux?
Certain foods can trigger acid reflux, while other foods can reduce the issue. Ginger is a food that can help reduce acid reflux since it is anti-inflammatory. As a result, some ginger beer can be helpful when it comes to alleviating acid reflux. Try some of this soda in moderation to see if this solution works for you.
Is ginger beer halal?
Ginger beer is technically halal since it contains no alcohol. However, it may not always be certified as halal.
Is ginger beer gluten-free?
Ginger beer is usually gluten-free since none of the usual ingredients contain gluten. However, certain brands may contain gluten if they have various ingredients. So, it is a good idea to double-check any labels.