What does ginger beer taste like?
Ginger beer tastes like a spicier, more intense ginger ale: sweet and fizzy with a real burn of fresh ginger at the back of your throat.
Ginger beer
sweet, fizzy and fiery
Ginger beer is a sweet, fizzy soft drink brewed or flavored with real ginger, and despite the name, most of it has no alcohol. It tastes like ginger ale with the volume turned up: sugar first, then a peppery ginger heat that builds as you drink. Brewed versions can be cloudy and a little tangy. How spicy it gets depends on the brand: some are mild and sweet, others properly fiery. It's the backbone of the Moscow mule and the Dark and Stormy, and great on its own over ice with lime.
Where you’ll see it
On soft drink and mocktail lists, often served in the bottle or over ice with lime. On cocktail menus it shows up in mules and the Dark and Stormy.
Order it if you want a soda with some real bite.
Quick questions
- Does ginger beer have alcohol?
- Most ginger beer is non-alcoholic. Alcoholic ginger beers exist and are labeled as such, often around 4 to 5%.
- What is the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale?
- Ginger beer is spicier, stronger in ginger flavor and often less sweet. Ginger ale is a milder, lighter ginger-flavored soda.