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Ginger beer vs ginger ale: what’s the difference between these bubbly drinks? When to use one or the other? Here’s what you need to know.
Ginger beer vs ginger ale: what’s the difference? They’re both bubbly drinks made with ginger, but there’s a significant difference between the two. Which should you use in a Moscow mule, and which goes in a Shirley Temple or Pimm’s Cup? Here’s what you need to know!
Ginger beer vs ginger ale: what’s the difference?
Ginger beer and ginger ale are both bubbly ginger drinks, but they taste different and are used in different ways. Here’s a breakdown:
- Ginger beer is very bubbly with a strong ginger flavor, with a spicy finish. It’s brewed and fermented. Years ago it was an alcoholic beer, but today’s ginger beer is non-alcoholic.
- Ginger ale has a mild, mellow flavor and is sweeter than ginger beer. It’s essentially a ginger flavored soft drink and is also non-alcoholic.
Ginger beer vs ginger ale: when to use them?
Both ginger beer and ginger ale can be sipped on their own, but both are also popular co*cktail mixers! These non-alcoholic mixers add a lovely bubbly effervescence to drinks. While they both bring a ginger flavor, there are some major differences.
- Ginger beeradds a strong, spicy ginger finish to co*cktails. It’s popularly used in the Moscow mule and the Dark and Stormy. Don’t substitute ginger ale for ginger beer in these co*cktails: the ginger beer flavor makes the drink!
- Ginger aleis much milder, and is a nice co*cktail mixer when you want bubbles and sweetness. Try it in co*cktails and mocktails where you want the flavors to meld together, like a Pimm’s Cup or Shirley Temple. Many of the co*cktails that call for ginger ale as a mixer also work with ginger beer, depending on your flavor preferences.
Popular ginger beer and ginger ale co*cktails
Which famous co*cktails use ginger beer or ginger ale? Here are a few to try:
Popular Ginger Beer co*cktails
Try these ginger beer co*cktails when you’ve got a few bottles. What are the best ginger beer brands? We like Q Ginger Beer and Fever Tree.
- Classic Moscow Mule: Vodka, ginger beer and lime in a copper mug is as classic as you get! You can also use it in the following variations:
- Dark and Stormy Dark rum, ginger beer and lime
- Kentucky Mule Bourbon, ginger beer, and lime
- Mexican Mule Tequila, ginger beer and lime
- Gin Gin Mule Gin, ginger beer, lime, mint, simple syrup
- Irish Mule Irish whiskey, ginger beer and lime
Popular Ginger Ale co*cktails
Most of these ginger ale co*cktails also work with ginger beer. (Just don’t swap the other way around!)
- Whiskey Highball Whiskey and soda water or ginger ale
- Shandy Beer and ginger ale, ginger beer or sparkling lemonade
- Pimm’s Cup Pimm’s No. 1, ginger ale or ginger beer, lemon
- Transfusion Concord grape juice, vodka, lime, ginger ale
- Shirley Temple Lime juice, grenadine, ginger ale or ginger beer
Moscow Mule
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- Author: Sonja Overhiser
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Description
The best ginger beer co*cktail? The bold and fizzy Moscow mule! Mix lime, ginger beer and vodka in an ice cold copper mug.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ounces (¼ cup) vodka
- ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) fresh lime juice
- 4 ounces (½ 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: co*cktails
- Diet: Vegan
Published on / Last updated on
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About the authors
Sonja & Alex
Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes for memorable kitchen moments! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.
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