18 Refreshing Ginger Beer Cocktails
If you like ginger ale, you're sure to love ginger beer—a carbonated drink that's been brewed and fermented similar to alcoholic beer, with a stronger, spicier ginger flavor than ginger ale. Ginger beer is probably best known for its part in the Moscow Mule, a refreshing cocktail featuring vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. However, ginger beer pairs well with a variety of flavors, so raise a copper cup to this spicy, summery mixer and try one of these new-to-you cocktails.
Watermelon-Ginger Mojitos
Watermelon-Ginger Mojitos Recipe
Watermelon, mint, lime, and ginger come together to make this wonderfully refreshing pitcher drink. Ginger beer gives these mojitos a spicy kick and nice effervescence, but you can substitute ginger ale if you prefer something milder. The mint simple syrup can be prepared up to two days in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.
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Bourbon Mule
Try a twist on the classic Moscow Mule; this drink swaps the vodka for bourbon for a more Southern-inspired refreshment.
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Spiced Orange-Bourbon Punch
Spiced Orange-Bourbon Punch Recipe
Bourbon fans will love this light and fizzy drink. You can substitute ginger ale for ginger beer, but make sure to use freshly squeezed orange juice.
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Carrot-Ginger Beer
The secret to this colorful cocktail is a fresh simple syrup made from brown sugar and mint. Combine the cooled syrup with cold-pressed carrot juice, rum, and ginger beer for a sweet and spicy drink that's big on flavor.
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Pomegranate Moscow Mule
Pomegranate Moscow Mule Recipe
The addition of pomegranate juice lends both tartness and sweetness to the traditional vodka, ginger beer, and lime concoction, while the rosemary adds an earthy, herbal flavor.
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Retro Rum Punch
A blend of light and dark rums, fruit juices, and ginger beer gives this sparkling punch a refreshing island flair. It's perfect for enjoying pool side, or simply whenever the mood strikes!
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Moscow Mule
This drink is the most well-known ginger beer cocktail of them all. The "Moscow" in this drink's title is a nod to its base liquor, vodka, and some say the "Mule" refers to the kick supplied by the ginger beer.
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Orange-Ginger Fizz
Orange juice and bourbon pair well with ginger beer's spicy notes. A hint of honey and lemon juice balances the flavor profile for a super satisfying cocktail that's perfect any time of year.
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Jacques the Elder
Lemon juice and herbal elderflower liqueur, such as St-Germain, blend well with the bourbon and ginger beer in this effervescent, flowery drink. Garnish with a lemon slice and piece of candied ginger.
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Cuzco Mule
Try another twist on the classic Moscow Mule by switching pisco for the vodka and adding a few drops of Angostura bitters..
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Tortola Mojito
Lemon slices, basil, and brown sugar are muddled and then mixed with ginger beer and Basil-Lemongrass Rum to create the refreshing Tortola Mojito.
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Pineapple Ginger Muddle
Pineapple Ginger Muddle Recipe
For this cocktail, we muddle zippy ginger, sweet-tart pineapple, and fresh thyme and combine with pisco and chilled ginger beer--guaranteed to awaken your tastebuds.
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Chucktown Sunrise
A splash of sweet grenadine is the secret ingredient in this delicious ginger beer-and-bourbon combo. For a lighter ginger flavor, swap ginger ale for the ginger beer.
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Shanghai Buck Cocktail
Billy Ngo, now chef at Kru, a Japanese restaurant in Sacramento, shared this recipe inspired by his previous restaurant, Red Lotus. Skip the rum, and you've got a good virgin option.
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The Big O
Skewered crystallized ginger adorn glasses of The Big O--a vodka cocktail with agave nectar, lime juice, and ginger beer.
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Ginger Shandies
Traditionally, the "shandy" is a relatively light alcoholic drink made with half beer, half lemon-lime soda. Spice it up a notch by substituting ginger beer for the lemon-lime soda for a nice twist on the classic summertime drink.
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Spicy Rum Punch
This flavorful punch calls for cranberry-pineapple juice steeped with a blend of crystallized ginger, black peppercorns, star anise, and cinnamon sticks. Add the ginger beer and rum just before serving so that the punch will be fizzy.
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Shoo-Fly Punch
Ginger liquor, bitters, and a homemade simple syrup make this down-home cocktail a favorite among ginger beer lovers. Serve in Mason jars and garnish with orange slices and fresh mint sprigs.