Ginger beer vs ginger ale: what’s the difference between these bubbly drinks? When to use one or the other? Here’s what you need to know.
Ginger beer vs ginger ale: what’s the difference? They’re both bubbly drinks made with ginger, but there’s a significant difference between the two.
Which should you use in a Moscow mule, and which goes in a Shirley Temple or Pimm’s Cup? As a home mixologist, I’ve been working with both of these mixers for years and I have a clear favorite. Here’s what you need to know!
Ginger Beer Vs Ginger Ale: What’s The Difference?
Ginger beer and ginger ale are both bubbly ginger drinks, but they taste different and are used in different ways. Here’s a breakdown:
- Ginger beer is very bubbly with a strong ginger flavor, with a spicy finish. It’s brewed and fermented (or simply carbonated). Years ago it was an alcoholic beer, but today’s ginger beer is non-alcoholic. This is my preference when mixing drinks because it’s not as sweet as ginger beer and has stronger ginger notes.
- Ginger ale has a mild, mellow flavor and is sweeter than ginger beer. It’s essentially a ginger-flavored soft drink and is also non-alcoholic.
When To Use Each One
Both ginger beer and ginger ale can be sipped on their own, but both are also popular cocktail mixers! These non-alcoholic mixers add a lovely bubbly effervescence to drinks. While they both bring a ginger flavor, there are some major differences.
- Ginger beer adds a strong, spicy ginger finish to cocktails. It’s popularly used in the Moscow mule and the Dark and Stormy. Don’t substitute ginger ale for ginger beer in these cocktails: the ginger beer flavor makes the drink!
- Ginger ale is much milder, and is a nice cocktail mixer when you want bubbles and sweetness. Try it in cocktails and mocktails where you want the flavors to meld together, like a Pimm’s Cup or Shirley Temple. Many of the cocktails that call for ginger ale as a mixer also work with ginger beer, depending on your flavor preferences.
Is Ginger Beer Alcoholic?
Usually it is not. Most ginger beer sold today is a non-alcoholic soft drink. Historically, ginger beer was brewed and fermented into a lightly boozy drink. Today you can still find alcoholic ginger beer, but it’s typically sold in the beer aisle and lists an ABV on the label.
Only have ginger ale for your Moscow mule? Here’s what I would do: stir ½ teaspoon of freshly grated ginger root (if you have it on hand!) and add an extra squeeze of lime juice. It won’t have the same flavor, but it gets you close!
Popular Ginger Beer And Ginger Ale Cocktails
Which famous cocktails use ginger beer or ginger ale? Here are a few to try:
Popular Ginger Beer Cocktails
Try these ginger beer cocktails when you’ve got a few bottles. What are the best ginger beer brands? We like Q Ginger Beer and Fever-Tree.
- Classic Moscow Mule: Vodka, ginger beer and lime in a copper mug is as classic as you get! You can also use it in the following variations:
- Dark and Stormy Dark rum, ginger beer and lime
- Kentucky Mule Bourbon, ginger beer, and lime
- Mexican Mule Tequila, ginger beer and lime
- Gin Gin Mule Gin, ginger beer, lime, mint, simple syrup
- Irish Mule Irish whiskey, ginger beer and lime
Popular Ginger Ale Cocktails
Most of these ginger ale cocktails also work with ginger beer. (Just don’t swap the other way around!)
- Whiskey Highball Whiskey and soda water or ginger ale
- Shandy Beer and ginger ale, ginger beer or sparkling lemonade
- Pimm’s Cup Pimm’s No. 1, ginger ale or ginger beer, lemon
- Transfusion Concord grape juice, vodka, lime, ginger ale
- Shirley Temple Lime juice, grenadine, ginger ale or ginger beer
Kroger® Non Alcoholic Ginger Beer seems to be getting the axe. It is good and cheap. I will be surprised if you know this gingerbeer or who makes it but there is a chance that you might. If you have any information beyond what Kroger has already given (nothing) , I would appreciate it.
I’m not sure, sorry!