I’ve been on a serious ginger beer kick lately and I’m not mad about it. That spicy, zippy fizz instantly wakes up any cocktail, from a classic mule to a sparkling sangria.
I’ve rounded up 17 of my absolute favorite ginger beer cocktails that are easy, impressive, and ridiculously fun to make. Let’s shake up some magic.
1. Skeleton Key
The skeleton key gets its spooky name from that rusty, glowing hue in the glass. I stir together smooth bourbon, aromatic St. Germain elderflower liqueur, and ginger beer, then add a dash of bitters for depth.
It’s refined and just a little bit haunting, just right for a Halloween gathering. All treats, no tricks here.
2. White Wine Ginger Beer Sangria
Need a big, bubbly batch cocktail for a crowd? This white wine ginger beer sangria is my answer.
It sits in a pitcher looking absolutely stunning, and the taste is pure celebration. Sparkling white wine meets spicy ginger beer, plus a heap of fresh fruit and a homemade ginger simple syrup that is just heavenly. You’re going to want to make this on repeat.
3. Ginger Beer Margaritas
Putting ginger beer in a margarita sounded wild to me at first, but now I honestly can’t have one without it. The effervescent kick marries so well with that sweet and citrusy tequila base.
Forget the bottled margarita mix; I just use fresh lime juice and a little simple syrup. It’s incredibly refreshing and bound to be your new go to.
4. Moscow Mule
For me, the Moscow mule is the ultimate way to let ginger beer take center stage. You start with vodka, add that intense, fizzy fermented ginger brew, and squeeze in fresh lime.
It’s got that spicy, hoof kicking heat that the name promises, balanced by cool mint and citrus. Simple and iconic, and ridiculously refreshing.
5. Horsefeather Cocktail
The name horsefeather might make you chuckle, but trust me, this drink is seriously delicious. It’s whiskey, ginger beer, lime, and a few dashes of Angostura bitters, which tame the acidity and make everything pop.
If you’ve ever heard of a Kansas whiskey mule, that’s exactly what this is. It’s a little mysterious and a whole lot of tasty.
6. Pimm’s Cup
Pimm’s Cup is the kind of drink that pulls you into the craft cocktail world and keeps you there. It’s easy to throw together, yet all those colorful garnishes make it look totally party ready.
I just pour Pimm’s No. 1 and a really good ginger beer into a tall glass, then pile on the fruit, cucumber, and mint. Effortless fancy, right there.
7. Dark and Stormy
Looking for the simplest possible cocktail? Say hello to the Dark and Stormy.
It’s essentially a Moscow mule that swaps vodka for dark rum, and that one change makes all the difference. The rich, bold character of a good dark rum stands up beautifully to a punchy, full bodied ginger beer. You need that depth to match the spicy storm.
8. Mexican Tequila Mule
I can’t wrap up without giving a nod to the Mexican mule. If tequila is your spirit, this one’s calling your name.
Ginger beer and lime juice are a foolproof match for tequila, but the real magic lies in the ginger beer you choose. Some bottles lean sweet, others bring more fire; for extra kick, I reach for Q Ginger Beer as suggested.
9. Ginger Rickey
The ginger rickey is my kind of remix on a classic gin rickey. I shake gin with fresh cranberry juice, then top it all off with a slow pour of ginger beer.
Every sip is this gorgeous swirl of fruity, floral, tangy, and fizzy. It’s wonderfully festive for the holidays, whether you serve it in a glass or a big pitcher. If cranberry’s not your thing, try pomegranate or pear juice for a different twist.
10. Apple Cider Irish Mule
Come fall, I am all about this spice kissed apple cider Irish mule. Irish whiskey, crisp apple cider, and ginger beer come together in a cozy, comforting hug of a drink.
I love garnishing with fresh apple slices and a cinnamon stick, it looks so lovely. Pour it into a copper mug to keep every sip wonderfully cold.
11. Irish Mule
The Irish mule is a brilliant twist on the original, swapping vodka for smooth Irish whiskey. And I’m spelling it with an ‘e’, because that’s how Ireland does it, unlike Scotch whisky.
Jameson is my go to here, it just clicks with a snappy, spicy ginger beer. The result is a little warmer and richer, and totally irresistible.
12. Ginger Beer Paloma
Pink cocktails just radiate good times, don’t they? This ginger beer paloma is my pick for the next round with friends.
It’s bright with grapefruit and zippy with ginger, just a touch sweet, and oh my, that rosy hue is absolutely ravishing. Simply pour grapefruit juice, tequila, and ginger beer over ice, add a little agave, and stir. Instant fiesta.
13. Ginger Beer Blood Orange Cocktail
Blood oranges just have that certain something that makes a drink feel extra special, and when you pair them with ginger beer, you’ve got a total crowd pleaser. This cocktail is bursting with blood orange in two ways: fresh squeezed juice and Solerno liqueur made from Sicilian fruit. A splash of simple syrup and a bold ginger beer finish the job, giving you a bright, fizzy, citrus packed sip that’s pure sunshine.
14. El Diablo
El Diablo is a Mexican original that stands out from the crowd. Silky reposado tequila and tangy crème de cassis meld with the bold bite of ginger beer in the most gorgeous way.
Then comes a squeeze of lime and a few plump blackberries on top for that extra fruity pop. It’s a little devilish and sweet, and totally unforgettable.
15. Blueberry Buck Whiskey Cocktail
A buck simply means a spirit mixed with ginger beer and citrus, but this blueberry version takes it to another level. Fresh blueberries and blueberry juice bring a juicy, summery sweetness that I absolutely adore.
You can use Irish, Scotch, or bourbon whiskey here, just make sure it’s the good stuff. I dream about sipping this around a campfire with my favorite people, all those berry notes and that spicy ginger fizz.
16. Kentucky Mule
You can’t round up mules without giving a shoutout to the Kentucky mule. This three ingredient wonder stars Kentucky bourbon, and I love to pair it with Powell & Mahoney ginger beer for that bold yet bright balance.
The tricky bit? Picking just one bourbon from all those legendary Kentucky distilleries. It’s a delicious dilemma.
17. Foghorn Cocktail
If gin is more your speed, you are going to fall hard for the foghorn. Born in New York City, this one is all about fragrant, botanical fizz with gin as the star.
I like to reach for either an Old Tom or a London dry gin to play with that ginger beer. It’s like a mule that went to finishing school, polished and effervescent.