11 Ginger Beer Cocktails to Spice Up Your Happy Hour
Truth is, pretty much everyone loves ginger beer cocktails. They sell swiftly on bar menus and get devoured at backyard parties. Your favorite store-bought or homemade ginger beer can give your drinks a spicy bite that’s balanced with sweetness, plus the fizz that’s needed for a refreshing sip. Below, you’ll find our favorite versions of some of the classic drinks made with ginger beer, plus a few concoctions you may not have tried yet. There are cocktail recipes for every taste here—and for highlighting pretty much any spirit you have on hand.
But first: Read up on the differences between ginger beer and ginger ale.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich1/11Dark and Stormy
Ginger beer cocktails can certainly be elaborate, but there’s a reason people have been drinking this 2-minute rum highball for ages. You don’t need a cocktail shaker to make this deeply refreshing drink, just a good ginger beer, like Barritt’s or Fever Tree, a bunch of ice cubes, some dark rum, and a lime wedge.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich2/11Pimm’s Cup
Some Pimm’s Cup recipes call for sparkling lemonade, but we like ginger beer for spice and ginger flavor. Dress up a Collins glass of this summery low-ABV drink with sliced strawberries and thin slices of orange, or keep things easy and aromatic with just cucumber and a sprig of mint.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich3/11Moscow Mule
You don’t actually need copper mugs to serve a round of classic Moscow mules. But, if you make these crowd-pleasing vodka cocktails often, you may want to add a set to your barware collection.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert4/11Redheaded Saint
Take a break from your margarita; this combo of blanco tequila, ginger beer, fresh lime juice, and mezcal is guaranteed to become a new favorite among agave lovers. This homage to the El Diablo skips the crème de cassis in favor of an easy homemade raspberry syrup. The best ginger beer for this cocktail is something big and bold.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Mira Evnine6/11Horsefeather
Rye whiskey gives this Midwestern mixed drink a peppery punch, and Angostura bitters amplify the spicy ginger beer. Speaking of that spice, opt for intensely flavored options like Gosling’s, Fentimans, or Cock’n Bull. And whatever you do, don’t substitute it with ginger ale.
7/11Gin-Gin Mule
If you go to the trouble of making your own ginger beer, let it shine in this refreshing cocktail, made with gin, simple syrup, lime juice, and tons of fresh mint.
Photo by Andy Sewell8/11Kentucky Buck
You’ll muddle in strawberries to give this bourbon cocktail with lemon juice and ginger beer a bright springtime vibe. This recipe is a great excuse to get out your cute drink picks for the berry garnish.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson9/11Blackberry-Cucumber Mule
This flexible mule recipe can be made with gin or vodka, and if you don’t have blackberries on hand, you can sub in any fresh or frozen berries.
Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich11/11Ginger Spritz
We love having supplies around for easy ginger beer cocktails like this one. All you need is a little fresh ginger, fruity Lillet, ginger beer, and your favorite sparkling wine. Done reading this list and still not sure what you want to sip? Check out the classic cocktails that shaped the way we drink today—and this collection of bartender-favorite drink recipes that you’ve probably never heard of.
