Here are all the best ginger beer cocktails to try! This fizzy, spicy soda accents everything from the classic Moscow mule to a bubbly Pimm’s Cup.
Ginger beer is bubbly with a hint of spice on the finish: the perfect mixer for cocktails! You can use it in all mixed drinks of all kinds to add a fizzy flair…and even mocktails! What is ginger beer, exactly? It’s not actual beer, of course. Ginger beer is a carbonated non-alcoholic beverage that’s made with sugar and ginger. It’s similar to ginger ale, but the ginger flavor is much stronger and more pronounced. Taste them back to back, and ginger beer always wins for adding big ginger flavor.
Here are all the top ginger beer cocktails to make with this tasty mixer! Of course, the Moscow mule is the number 1 drink to make with ginger beer. But it’s got lots of fun variations (see below). And it doesn’t stop there: the fruity Pimm’s Cup, the whiskey highball…and even the most famous mocktail of them all.
And now…the top ginger beer cocktails to try!
The most famous ginger beer cocktail: the Moscow mule! This classic cocktail was born in the 1940’s. It's part of a family of cocktails called a buck: a cocktail made with liquor, ginger ale or ginger beer, and citrus juice. So, it can also be called a vodka buck! It's bubbly, zingy and bold; make it with just 3 ingredients in 3 minutes.
Ingredients: Vodka, lime juice, ginger beer
Looking for a refreshingly easy ginger beer cocktail? Enter the Pimm’s Cup! This popular British mixed drink is all about bubbly soda and fruity flavored gin. It’s so tasty that it’s dangerously easy to sip at lightening speed. It’s also great for entertaining: just a few ingredients and no need to dirty a cocktail shaker.
Ingredients: Cucumber slices, Pimm’s No 1, ginger beer
Just 3 ingredients make up this classic cocktail: the Dark and Stormy! This refreshing highball drink has quite the reputation…because it’s just that good. Each ingredient has lots of personality: the rich, earthy dark rum, with vanilla and brown sugar notes. Add to that spicy ginger beer, fruity and filled with effervescent bubbles. Top it off with a squeeze of tangy lime, and there’s not much better for sipping...any time and any season.
Ingredients: Dark rum, ginger beer, lime wedge
Here's a fun spin on the classic mule: the Mexican mule! This drink is bold, it’s bubbly, and it’s ready to spice up your next gathering. This tequila-based version might be even better than its inspiration. The way the bite of the tequila combines with spicy ginger and zingy lime makes it impossible not to immediately take another sip. Another version? The Mezcal Mule adds mezcal for a smoky spin.
Ingredients: Tequila, lime juice, ginger beer
Here's a unique ginger beer cocktail: the classic Whiskey Highball! This two-ingredient cocktail originated around the turn of the 20th century and it’s still popular to this day. Why? It’s so easy to make, and it's an intriguing way to enjoy the flavors in a sip of whiskey. This drink has two variations: one straight classic with soda water for whiskey lovers, and one as a more balanced drink with ginger beer.
Ingredients: Whiskey, ginger beer
Here's a unique ginger beer cocktail: th Gin Gin Mule! Now, this cocktail is more than meets the eye. Considered a modern classic, it’s a mashup of the Moscow mule and minty Mojito. The bubbly ginger beer and lime of a mule is balanced by the mint and sweetness of a mojito.
Ingredients: Gin, lime, ginger beer, mint, simple syrup
One of the arguably most fun ways to drink bourbon? With ginger beer! This ginger beer cocktail swaps the classic vodka for bourbon to make a Kentucky mule. It’s bubbly, bright and bold: with zingy lime and a spicy whiskey finish. There’s no shaking or stirring required: just pour it all into the glass. It’s easy for parties: or a summer evening on the porch. Another version? The Irish Mule uses Irish whiskey.
Ingredients: Bourbon whiskey, lime, ginger beer
Can we add a ginger beer...mocktail? It's the Shirley Temple! Now, listen. This isn’t the overly sweet, syrupy version of this drink. The classic way is actually made with ginger beer! It’s not just for kids! This mocktail works for anyone looking for a bubbly, refreshing non-alcoholic drink. Even better: try our all-natural homemade grenadine syrup that skips the artificial flavors and colors.
Another whiskey-based ginger beer cocktail: the Irish mule! This spin on the classic Moscow Mule is bubbly and light, with a spicy Irish whiskey finish. It’s a good intro drink to whiskey and a way to make any party more fun! As with all the types of mules, it couldn’t be easier: all you do is pour 3 ingredients into a glass.
Ingredients: Irish whiskey, lime, ginger beer
Last up...a seasonal spin on the Moscow mule: the cider mule! This seasonal spin is even more fun than the original. It pairs apples and ginger in a bubbly, effervescent mix that looks perfectly cozy nestled in a copper mug. Why stop drinking the mule when autumn hits? This fall cocktail is ideal for when the temps start to drop: it even works as a winter cocktail for holiday gatherings, too.
Top brands of ginger beer
These days, there are many types of ginger beer brands on the market. Here are a few notes on the top ginger beer brands to try:
- Q Ginger Beer: This is our top choice! It has great flavor and is made with real ginger. It comes in small cans so you don’t have to open a large bottle.
- Fever Tree Ginger Beer: Fever Tree also has great flavor and is our backup! It’s made with real ginger and has no artificial sweeteners.
- More Ginger Beer Brands: Here’s a list of more top brands.
Moscow Mule
(7 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
The best ginger beer cocktail? The bold and fizzy Moscow mule! Mix lime, ginger beer and vodka in an ice cold copper mug.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) vodka
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) fresh lime juice
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) ginger beer
- For the garnish: lime wheel or wedge, fresh mint (if desired)
Instructions
- In a copper mug or glass, pour in the vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer.
- Add ice and garnish with a lime slice. Serve immediately.
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Ginger beer cocktails, Moscow mule
More cocktail recipes
Outside of these ginger beer cocktails, there are so many great cocktail recipes to try! Pick from some of the following:
- Vodka Cocktails Try the greats like the Gimlet and Mule.
- Gin Cocktails All the classics: Gin Fizz, Tom Collins, Gin & Tonic, etc.
- Orange Juice Cocktails OJ is a great mixer!
- Bourbon Cocktails Try these bourbon greats, like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan.
- Amaretto Cocktails From the Amaretto Sour to the Italian margarita.
- Vermouth Cocktails All the best drinks using dry or sweet vermouth.
- Sour Cocktails All the very best sours: Whiskey Sour, Sidecar, Mojito and more.
- Cointreau Cocktails All the great drinks using this orange liqueur.
- Scotch Cocktails Unique mixed drinks using this Scottish whisky.
- Campari Cocktails Brilliant red cocktails starring this bitter liqueur.
About the Authors
Sonja Overhiser
Cookbook Author and writer
Sonja Overhiser is author of Pretty Simple Cooking, named one of the best healthy cookbooks of 2018. She’s host of the food podcast Small Bites and founder of the food blog A Couple Cooks. Featured from the TODAY Show to Bon Appetit, Sonja seeks to inspire adventurous eating to make the world a better place one bite at a time.
Alex Overhiser
Cookbook Author and photographer
Alex Overhiser is an acclaimed food photographer and author based in Indianapolis. He’s host of the food podcast Small Bites and founder of the recipe website A Couple Cooks. Featured from the TODAY Show to Bon Appetit, Alex is author of Pretty Simple Cooking, named one of the best vegetarian cookbooks by Epicurious.
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