Ginger beer is a traditional sweetened and non-alcoholic beverage. It is produced by the process of natural fermentation. It is currently manufactured rather than being brewed.
It can also be produced at home. Ginger was used in China and India as a medicine and was used in the western hemisphere to spice up drinks. Brewed ginger beer originated in UK, but is sold everywhere in the world.
Nowadays, there are many amazing cocktails that can be made from ginger beer. These ginger beer cocktails have a peculiarly invigorating and snappy flavor.
The added touch of spice is what makes a tantalizing drink for the taste buds. Vodka, rum, gin any cocktail can be prepared by mixing ginger beer with these drinks. There are a plethora of options available for making a quality cocktail with the help of ginger beer.
Let us have a look at some of the best cocktails that can be prepared using ginger beer.
Moscow Mule
This drink is one of the most loved vodka based cocktails, that uses ginger beer as a key ingredient. This drink is credited for bringing the spicy brew back into the spotlight. Vodka, lime juice and ginger beer are the only ingredients that are needed to make one of the best drinks one can taste. The flavor of this drink is enough to keep you hooked. Once you develop a taste for this, you are bound to come back for more.
The Moscow Mule should can also be made with ginger ale but if your bartender hasn’t served you a Moscow Mule made from ginger beer, then you are missing out on a fabulous drink.
Dark and Stormy
This is another amazing drink made from ginger beer, and is a great choice for people who prefer rum based cocktails. This refreshing cocktail is easy to prepare. All you need is a good dark rum and a nice ginger beer. Some recipes do tell to add lime juice but it isn’t required. As a matter of fact, if you want to have this drink in its true Bermudan style, then skipping the lime juice is a good idea.
You can try to float the rum on the top of the ginger beer to create a layered dark and stormy. Dark rum is always preferred while making this drink as it adds a better flavour to it.
Anejo Highball
This is another amazing drink that used ginger beer as its key ingredient. If you like dark and stormy then you are going to love this drink. This is so because it amplifies everything that is good about the dark and stormy cocktail. This refreshing highball is pretty easy to make and is very enjoyable. Dale Degroff created this drink as a tribute to the Cuban bartenders of the early 1900s.
This rum based cocktail has everything that one would want from a great drink. A soothing taste, amazing flavour and an aroma to die for, is what makes this drink highly popular.
Gin Gin Mule
This popular cocktail is twist between Moscow Mule and Mojito. As is clearly evident from the name, gin is the liquor of choice to make this drink. Ginger beer is a vital ingredient to prepare this amazing cocktail. This sensational drink is a mixture if ginger beer, sweet lime and mint base and a good rum. The taste of the drink is what makes it a drink of choice for many occasions
Irish Ale
This whiskey based cocktail is another fabulous drink that should be tried at least once. This tall drink is another fantastic way to enjoy some delicious whiskey. By simply adding lime and ginger beer to your whiskey, you will have an amazing drink that can easily become one of the most loved drinks of yours. It can become an everyday drink in no time, once you get used to its taste.
Adding a few squeezes of lime juice would provide enough acid to make a perfect combo of the spicy and sweet notes in the cocktail.
El Diablo
An amazing tequila based cocktail that you would not want to miss, El Diablo is a fun drink to say the least. It is a very visual drink too and is pretty elegant to look at. Of course it depends on how well you garnish the drink. Though it uses the same ginger beer and lime juice accents as the other drinks in the list, it does have a distinct flavor of its own.
There are many variations of this drink available and you can try your hand in making and tasting them.
Christi Extreme
One of the most beautiful thing about trying different recipes having ginger beer as their key ingredient is that there are many other similarities in them. And this allows the bartender to make a few changes to the flavor profile of the drinks by simply making some additions. The unusually gripping taste if the drink keeps you on your toes while having a sip. You will enjoy the flavor and start loving this cocktail in no time.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
The influence of this drink is as big as its name. Ginger beer forms the crux of this drink too and imparts a great flavor to it. The ginger beer gives it the perfect finishing touch. It gives the drink, an amazing spicy snap. This vodka based cocktail can be a fun drink to try. It has got a great taste and is perfectly soothing. Try it out and you will be wanting to get the next round as quickly as possible.
Skeleton Key
The drink has got a pretty spooky name, hasn’t it? Well the reason for it is pretty obvious. It is specially designed for Halloween. But this fancy bourbon cocktail works well on any other day of the year too. This drink has many appealing aspects. It is nothing but a healthy dose of Angostura bitters that makes this drink the king of the “spooktacular realm”.
To get the full flavor of the bitters, sip this drink without straw. A straw is however recommended for those who think that this is too bold a way. Ginger beer adds a distinct flavor to this spooky drink and makes it more spectacular.
Christmas Mule
As the name suggests, this is a great drink for the festival of Christmas. This is a variation of Moscow Mule which is completely perfect for the festive season. This vodka based cocktail takes ginger beer and mixes it with some amazing ingredients. The end result is a drink that is fun and soothing. It can be sipped through the cold winter nights. It is a simple variation of the ginger beer and vodka cocktails that most people are in love with.
This drink opts for a pear vodka rather than a clear vodka. A pear vodka can either be brought or can be made at home. It is also recommended to warm the ginger beer beforehand. This amazing drink should be tried at least once for its delicious taste.
Cranberry Ginger Shandy
This drink is a summer favorite of many. With a few tweaks, this can become an autumnal delight too. It is a delightful drink which can be prepared with ease. Ginger beer combines well with other ingredients and produces a mesmerizing cocktail. It a perfect drink for winter and autumn parties too. This unique drink is a fantastic way to enjoy a relaxing beverage to ease oneself.
If your shandy is chilled, then there is no need to add extra ice. Mixing it early may result in losing some of the effervescence of the beer. Toss a couple of cinnamon sticks to let the flavor infuse into the drink.
Ginger Beer Margaritas
This drink is another fabulous cocktail which has ginger beer not only as a key ingredient, but also in its name. A garnish of lime wedge complimenting the combo of tequila and ginger beer is what makes an elegant and graceful drink. It has a really soothing taste and is pretty refreshing. The recipe is also easy to follow. You can get an amazing drink without sacrificing much time. And the resulting drink, is worth it.
Italian Swizzle
This amazing drink is highly potent. And that’s what makes it a must have drink, on the days you just want to let lose. It has a pretty delicious taste. You may need to give some time to yourself before developing a taste for it. But it really is a great drink which contains ginger beer, dry vermouth and mint syrup as its main ingredients. Lemon wheel is used to garnish this drink. Although it has many variations, the original is the most potent of them all.
Stone Wall
This simple and slightly sweet cocktail is loved by many. You can choose Canadian or Bourbon whisky to make this drink. Ginger beer adds a distinct flavor to the drink. Stone wall is a refreshing touch to any whisky you have in your collection. This drink has an easy recipe. It is a very good drink when you want to sip in a whisky based cocktail after a tiring day at work.
It differs from the other drinks in the list with respect to the amount of soda used in making it. While some drink requires 25 to ml soda, this cocktail requires only a splash of it.
The Classic FogHorn
This is another cocktail which has a huge number of fans. This is one of the great classic cocktails that was made famous in the New York City. It is traditionally made with Old Tom Gin. Though there are many other variations available nowadays, the original version is preferred by most. The combo of old tom and ginger beer is invigorating and delicious.
It is a great happy hour drink and should be tried atleast once. The Foghorn can also be made as a highball drink by serving it in a tall glass.
Apple Cinnamon Mule
This drink is another seasonal cocktail which can become a hot favorite pretty easily. A fine vodka is paired with lime juice and apple cider and is topped off with ginger beer. Adding cinnamon sticks as garnish would make the drink look more graceful. This drink will satisfy and sooth you till its last sip. It will remain with you, long after you have devoured the cocktail.
Apple cider is the only extra addition to the recipe of traditional Moscow Mule. This small difference makes a big impact. The drink is wonderful and makes it all the more delightful.
Early Autumn
A drink that has gained popularity in a very short period of time. The Early Autumn is a fantastic gin based cocktail. Ginger beer has been the key ingredient in this drink. This happy hour drink is amazing for autumn, as is evident from its name. The fantastic taste of the drink is what makes people buy another round of this cocktail at the bar.
New York City mixologist Adam Schuman is credited with making this drink. It has been gaining popularity since its invention. The infusion of apples and pears has a great effect on the taste of the drink. They combine with the rum in an amazing fashion and make the drink more fabulous. Chocolate bitters are added and cinnamon sticks are used to garnish this drink. This drink is an amazing cocktail that should be tried at least once.
Spiced Silver Bell
The holiday season can be made for fun by devouring this amazing drink. This enchanting tequila based cocktail is a great happy hour drink. All the amazing ingredients including ginger beer, are able to bring out the perfect taste of the drink. Ginger beer is a great addition to this drink. It makes it more fabulous.
Cranberry spiced syrup is another vital ingredient of this drink. It makes the drink more astounding. This syrup provides a unique flavor to the drink. This drink should be tried for its flavor. This drink should definitely be kept in stock for winter months. Try the spiced silver bell cocktail for its flavor and elegance.
Mexican Mule
A Mexican Mule is nothing but a traditional Mexican twist to the original Moscow Mule. Home made ginger beer turns up the wow factor of the drink. Ginger beer is a vital part of this fantastic drink. In addition to ginger’s spicy flavor, it has many medicinal properties as well. This drink has got a gripping taste. The drink has been appreciated by many and is still devoured fondly.
There are many variations of the traditional Moscow Mule. This is one of the best of those different delights that have ginger beer as their key ingredients. You can adjust the quantity of the ingredients according to your taste. You will find this drink amazingly delicious and to your liking.
Ginger Beer Paloma
The Ginger Beer Paloma is one of the most loved Paloma variations. It is loved a lot all around the world. There are many variations of the Paloma and this is one of the best. With the best garnishing, this drink is elegant and graceful. It is not only known because of its taste but also due to its elegance. You can try this drink at happy hours.
This is a pretty soothing and refreshing drink. You can try this drink with different quantities of the ingredients. The garnishing plays a major role. Club soda is replaced with ginger beer in this drink.
And the wonders it does to the original recipe are beyond comprehension. You cab rim the glass with salt to make the drink more enjoyable. The taste of this drink will grow on you with ease and you will fall in love with it, in no time
Here’s to Some Ginger
These are some drinks which use ginger beer as a vital component. It combines with gin, rum, whisky and tequila, with ease. The drinks listed above are not only soothing to taste, but are elegant as well. The recipe to make all the drinks are easy.
The ingredients are available in your kitchen. And the resulting drinks are no doubt, the best. They should be tried at least once. The aroma of these drinks is also amazing. You should try the different flavors too and enjoy them to the core.
So, ginger beer is an amazing ingredient of many drinks. Apart form the taste it imparts to the drinks, ginger is also known for its medicinal properties.
The drinks made from this single cocktail, are amazing and appreciated all around the world. They are also very delicious and do not require much time and effort to make either.
Due to all the above reasons, these drinks are loved a lot. Try them with different combos and enjoy their taste and sooth yourself by devouring these amazing drinks. So hustle for a few minutes and have these amazing drinks as rewards!