Ginger ale started with ginger beer, which was invented in 1851 in Yorkshire, England. however, the first ginger ale comes from Ireland, and it was a soft drink that didn’t have alcohol in it. To get the carbonation in ginger ale, carbon dioxide is added. That’s where the delightful fizz comes from.
If that sounds like you, then we’ve got exactly what you need: the perfect list of ginger ale drinks. From a ginger ale alcohol drink such as a ginger punch, a gin buck, or whiskey ginger to ginger ale non-alcoholic drinks like the Shirley Temple, there’s something for everyone who likes ginger ale cocktails on this list.
Ginger ale, a timeless and refreshing beverage, has become an increasingly popular mixer in the diverse world of cocktails. With its fizzy and slightly spicy-sweet flavors, it’s no surprise that cocktail enthusiasts are incorporating this versatile soda into creative and delicious libations. In this article, you’ll explore an array of ginger ale cocktails that will delight your taste buds and elevate your at-home mixology skills.
As you try new ginger ale cocktails, you’ll find that this mixer pairs incredibly well with a variety of liquors, from the classic whiskey and gin to the more unexpected tequila and brandy. The beauty of ginger ale lies in its ability to both complement and enhance the flavors of the other ingredients, making it a go-to mixer for both seasoned connoisseurs and budding cocktail lovers.
In addition to discovering tasty ginger ale cocktail recipes, you’ll learn helpful tips and tricks to elevate your concoctions. You’ll experiment with garnishes, glassware, and even different types of ginger ale to better cater to your unique preferences. So, get your shaker and strainer ready – it’s time to dive into the world of ginger ale cocktails!
Ginger ale has been around for a long time. Invented in the 1850s (or earlier!), ginger ale has been providing delicious and refreshing cocktails for folks for a long time.
You can mix ginger ale with any liquor to create an easy highball cocktail. What is a highball? Essentially, a highball is any cocktail that has more non-alcoholic mixer than it has liquor.
What’s the difference between ginger ale and ginger beer? While ginger beer has a spicy finish and pronounced ginger flavor, ginger ale tastes sweeter and more mellow.
Can you substitute ginger beer for ginger ale (or homemade ginger ale) in alcoholic drinks with ginger ale? Technically, you can use ginger beer, but the flavor difference between ginger beer and ginger ale is so drastic that it completely changes the cocktail to something different. If you like ginger beer, it’s best to find some great ginger beer mixed drinks.
What alcohol goes with ginger ale? The answer is simple: nearly everything, from vodka, whiskey, rum, and beer! It’s all about how you mix it. Let’s check out 13 ginger ale cocktails.
What type of bourbon should you use in this bourbon drink? Try Makers Mark or Jim Beam Kentucky Straight. However, any type of good bourbon is perfect for this drink.
Do you want a fizzy holiday ginger ale cocktail? This cranberry rum ginger ale mixed drink will bring smiles to the faces of your guests (and you!).
To create this cranberry cocktail, you can use cranberry ginger ale. However, if you can’t find that, you can easily make this cranberry cocktail with both ginger ale cranberry juice.
Silver rum provides the boozy kick for this drink, but in a pinch, you can use vodka, too.
Serve your cranberry ginger ale drink over ice cubes or crushed ice.
Garnish your cranberry cocktail with fresh cranberries or frozen cranberries.
Perhaps the most well-known non alcoholic drink recipe, the Shirley Temple is named after the beloved and adorable child star, Shirley Temple.
Here’s a fun fact: Shirley Temple didn’t like this carbonated drink cocktail that was named after her. She said that the Shirley Temple’s sugar taste is “too sweet.”
To make the Shirley Temple, you need grenadine syrup (or simple syrup), ginger ale (or lemon lime soda, carbonated water, or tonic water), ice cubes, and a maraschino cherry for garnish.
The classic Transfusion cocktail is made with vodka, Concord grape juice, and ginger ale.
Don’t confuse the classic Transfusion recipe with the more recent Blood Transfusion cocktail that’s made with lime juice, rum, and grenadine.
For the Transfusion cocktail, you need good vodka and fresh lime juice. Concord grape juice is absolutely essential for this mixed drink. Concord grapes have a sweet flavor and they’re a deep blue-purple color.
Serve your Transfusion cocktail in a highball or martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and a Luxardo cherry or maraschino cherry.
The beloved Pimms Cup cocktail is bubbly and refreshing. This interesting mixed drink features sparkling lemonade (or ginger ale) and Pimm’s No. 1 liquor.
A popular British highball cocktail recipe, the Pimm’s Cup is a great cocktail to whip up when you’re entertaining.
Traditionally, a Pimm’s Cup is served in a highball or rocks glass or other cocktail glass. Garnish your Pimm’s Cup with cucumbers, mint leaves, or strawberries.
The whiskey ginger cocktail can be made with any type of bourbon or whiskey.
This easy whiskey drink recipe (or bourbon drink) has just three ingredients and you can whip it up in minutes.
You can use any type of whiskey in this whiskey cocktail, from your favorite bourbon to Irish whiskey.
If you’re just starting to explore whiskey, this is the perfect starter drink. It’s nice and sweet for a whiskey drink, thanks to the ginger ale.
Serve your whiskey (or bourbon) ginger in a highball or other tall glass with ice cubes and garnish your whiskey cocktail with a lime wedge or lemon peel.
The classic Long Island Iced Tea recipe was supposedly invented by a Long Island, New York bartender in 1972 and this classic cocktail is famous for having five different types of liquor in it: vodka, tequila, gin, rum, and orange liqueur (Triple Sec or Cointreau).
For the Blue Long Island Iced Tea, you substitute gorgeous Blue Curacao for the Triple Sec, giving your cocktail a beautiful blue color.
You can use ginger ale or lemon lime soda (Sprite or 7-Up) to mix this gorgeous drink. Garnish this drink with a beautiful edible flower, fresh mint leaves, and a lemon wedge.
If you’ve got a bottle of your favorite gold tequila sitting around just waiting to be used, you can create a delicious tequila and ginger ale cocktail.
Think of the tequila and ginger ale as a margarita for folks who love ginger ale.
This cocktail is best made with gold tequila, but you can use white tequila, too.
Serve this tequila and ginger ale cocktail in a glass with a salted rim and garnish it with a lime wedge.
If you love a Dark and Stormy recipe made with ginger beer, then this cocktail that’s made with dark rum (or aged rum) and ginger ale will delight you.
In this cocktail, the ginger flavor is much more subtler than the flavor from ginger beer, and it blends beautifully with the dark rum.
Serve this dark rum and ginger ale cocktail with ice cubes. Squeeze some lime juice into the cocktail and garnish the glass with a lime wedge.
Exactly what is a shandy? A shandy is a cocktail that was invented in the mid-1800s in England. The word “shandy” is from the old English word “shandygaff,” which is what people back in the day called a beer that’s mixed with either ginger ale or ginger beer.
In French, you will occasionally see a ginger ale shandy called the Panache.
To make a ginger ale shandy, fill your glass with ice cold light beer until it’s half full. Then, top the beer off with your favorite ginger ale. You can substitute something like 7-Up or Sprite (or any lemon lime soda) for the ginger ale if you wish.
What liquor goes with ginger ale? What to mix with ginger ale? Well, we have an idea. Watch this video to learn how to make a ginger ale cocktail with Jameson Irish whiskey. Irish whiskey in a ginger ale drink? Yes, please!
Our Best Ginger Ale Cocktail Recipes (+Blue Long Island Iced Tea)
These recipes are sure to please. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
