Ginger beer is a sweetened and carbonated drink that is usually non-alcoholic. Renowned for its important role in exciting beverages like the Moscow Mule and the Dark 'n' Stormy, it brings a surprisingly rich history dating back to the 1800s in England. Earlier, ginger beer was enjoyed as an alcoholic beverage, akin to hard cider, gaining popularity throughout Queen Victoria's reign.
Ginger beer is prepared by fermentation process, in which a blend of ginger, water, sugar, cream of tartar, and yeast are combined. This beverage is bottled before the fermentation process reaches completion, which gives a mildly alcoholic (around 0.5% ABV) and naturally carbonated beverage. With a robust and spicy profile, ginger beer can become a versatile mixer for making exotic cocktails.
Here are five ginger beer cocktails you must try this weekend:
Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces vodka
- ½ ounce lime juice
- Ice cubes
- ½ cup ginger beer
- 1 lime wedge for garnish
Method
- Pour vodka and lime juice into a mug.
- Add ice cubes and ginger beer. Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish the mug with a lime wedge and enjoy.
Dark ‘n’ Stormy
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rum
- 1/2-ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
- Ginger beer, to top
- Garnish: lime wheel
Method
- Add rum and lime juice to a tall glass. Fill it with ice.
- Top it with ginger beer.
- Garnish with a lime wheel. Enjoy.
Gin Gin Mule
Ingredients
- 1 mint sprig
- 1-ounce simple syrup
- 3/4-ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 3/4 ounces dry gin
- 1 ounce ginger beer
- Garnish: mint sprig
Method
- In a cocktail shaker, add the mint sprig, simple syrup and lime juice.
- Add the gin, ginger beer and ice, and shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a highball or cocktail glass over ice. Garnish with a mint sprig. Enjoy.
Ginger Whiskey Smash
Ingredients
- 2 oz whiskey bourbon
- ¾ oz lemon juice fresh
- ¾ oz ginger syrup
- 10 mint leaves
Method
- Place all the ingredients together in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake well until chilled.
- Strain it into a cocktail glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with mint leaves and enjoy.
Mexican Mule
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1/2-ounce fresh lime juice
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- For the garnish: lime slice
Method
- Pour in the tequila, lime juice, and ginger beer in a copper mug or cocktail glass.
- Add ice and garnish with a lime slice. Serve immediately.