Originating in the 1700s in England, ginger beer is a unique, spicy ingredient used in myriad classic cocktails. For those unaware, ginger beer is exactly what it appears to be. It’s a carbonated, sweetened soda (it’s definitely not a beer) flavored with actual ginger or ginger flavoring. The result is a spicy, prickly beverage well suited for mixing with a variety of flavors and ingredients.
It shouldn’t be confused with ginger ale. That type of soda is much milder in ginger spice than its ginger beer counterpart. If you’re looking for a light, refreshing ginger-flavored soda, you’ll crack open a ginger ale. If you’re looking for spicy, tingly heat to add to a cocktail, you have to use ginger beer.
Ginger beer-based cocktails are great all year long but are especially welcoming during the cooler months. The warming, spicy heat of the ginger beer adds an extra bold dimension to a variety of iconic cocktails. Each one is perfect for autumn, winter, and every unseasonably cold evening throughout the year. Spicy heat and booze, what’s not to love?
Three great ginger beer cocktails
Now that you’ve learned a little bit about ginger beer and how its spicy, hot, prickly flavor will benefit your favorite cocktail, it’s time to get into some of the drinks. Well-known drinks like the Moscow Mule, Ginger Buck, and Dark ‘n’ Stormy wouldn’t be the beloved cocktails they are without the addition of ginger beer. Below, you’ll learn about these iconic
Dark ‘n’ Stormy
Unlike some classic cocktails, the Dark ‘n’ Stormy has a well-known (possibly true) origin story. It was created in 1806 in Bermuda when workers at a ginger beer factory decided to mix the spicy soda with Gosling’s Black Seal Rum. Unsurprisingly, the name likely originated from the dark color of the drink and how it reminded its creators of a dark and stormy sea. Not only does it have strong ties to the island of Bermuda, but Gosling Brothers Ltd even trademarked the cocktail back in 1991. A smart move by the brand, but now legally, you need to use its rum to make the drink if you want to call it a Dark ‘n’ Stormy.
What you need to make the Dark ‘n Stormy
- 2 ounces of dark rum
- 1/2 ounce of fresh lime juice
- Ginger beer topper
The Dark ‘n’ Stormy recipe steps
1. Add ice to a highball glass.
2. Pour in dark rum and fresh lime juice.
3. Top with ginger beer.
4. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Ginger Buck
While there are disputes about who created the Buck cocktail, it’s believed to have been created in the late 1800s. The name is known to have come from a drink called the “Horse’s Neck,” which was made with ginger ale and lemon juice without alcohol. The Buck came from the idea of being bucked off a horse from the extra kick of whiskey. The simple, easy-to-make cocktail consists of whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ginger beer.
What you need to make the Ginger Buck
- 2 1/2 ounces of bourbon whiskey
- 1/2 ounce of fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce of simple syrup
- Ginger beer topper
The Ginger Buck recipe steps
1. Add ice to a cocktail shaker.
2. Pour the whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker.
3. Shake vigorously to combine all the ingredients.
4. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass.
5. Top with ginger beer.
6. Stir gently to combine.
7. Garnish with a lemon peel.
Moscow Mule
In the pantheon of ginger beer-based cocktails, it’s difficult to beat the appeal of the classic Moscow Mule. This drink of vodka, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer has an interesting origin story. In 1941, a woman named Sophie Berezinski needed to sell 2,000 solid copper mugs. She strolled into the Cock ‘n’ Bull Pub in Los Angeles and met the owner Jack Morgan who was trying to sell ginger beer to the American public and John Martin who had just purchased Smirnoff Vodka. The three combined to make one of the most iconic cocktails of all time.
What you need to make the Moscow Mule
- 1 1/2 ounces of vodka
- 1/4 ounce of fresh lime juice
- 4 ounces of ginger beer
The Moscow Mule recipe steps
1. Add ice to a copper mug or a highball glass.
2. Pour in the vodka, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Bottom line
Now that you’ve learned a little about what ginger beer brings to your favorite cocktails, we implore you to buy some and mix with it this fall and winter. Even if you simply mix ginger beer and your favorite aged spirit. you’re likely to be happy with the results.
