What Does Ginger Beer Taste Like? (Quick Answer!)

Are you planning to set up your home bar and wondering what mixers to include in your list?

Ginger beer should definitely be at the top of your list!

It’s the perfect mixer for a lot of great-tasting cocktails—Moscow Mule, Dark ‘N Stormy, Margaritas, Sangrias, and a whole lot more. (*)

But if you haven’t tried it yet, you might be wondering: what does ginger beer taste like?

And if you’re wondering how it taste compares to the other mixers, we’ve got it all covered below.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get this party started!

What Does Ginger Beer Taste Like?

Of course, the drink has a strong ginger flavor. It also has an intense spicy kick that delivers a mild burning sensation on your tongue and the back of your throat.

The good news is the burn is balanced by the flavor of the rest of its ingredients—citrusy, tangy, sweet, and a bit bubbly.

Keep in mind that each manufacturer uses different formulations and production methods, so the ratios of these three flavors may vary significantly per brand.

This drink is a breath of fresh air when you drink it on its own. But because of its refreshing spicy-sweet flavor, it’s often added to both cocktails and mocktails to take their flavor to the next level.

What Does Ginger Beer Taste Like When Mixed?

So what does it taste like when mixed with other beverages? Of course, it lends a spicy and strong ginger flavor to the drink. But more than that, it also delivers a unique flavor, depending on the type of beverage it’s mixed with.

For example, it brings out the woody and smoky taste of whiskey and intensifies rum’s tropical flavor.

It tastes amazing with fruit juices as well. When mixed with lemonade, it creates a tangy, slightly sweet, and zesty drink. Conversely, it creates a frizzy tropical drink out of pineapple juice.

What is Ginger Beer?

Ginger beer is a popular alcoholic beverage in England during the 1800s. Today, it’s a non-alcoholic carbonated drink which you can drink on your own or mix into both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Modern Ginger beer is also no longer fermented. Instead, it’s carbonated and then bottled.

Ingredients

The type of ingredients determines the drink’s quality. The main ingredients of a high-quality ginger beer are ginger, water, sugar, and yeast.

Some manufacturers add lemon, citric acid, or cream of tartar to deliver acidity that balances off its spicy-sweet taste.

That’s not all. They also even add different fruit juices like apple and lemon juice to add a fruity twist to it.

However, keep in mind that not all ginger beers are created equal. There are a few drinks that contain carbonated water, artificial preservatives, artificial colors, and chemical sweeteners.

Avoid the drinks that have these in their ingredients list since they boost the beer’s sugar content.

Alcoholic Content

Even though it’s labeled as a non-alcoholic drink, mass-produced Ginger beers are still likely to contain a small amount of alcohol—less than 0.5% alcohol by volume. Since it coincides with FDA’s criteria for non-alcoholic drinks, they classify it as a soft drink.

Benefits

Since ginger is the main ingredient in this drink, it’s just safe to say that it may also have a few health benefits of ginger, and these are as follows: (*)

Relieves nausea and improves digestion

Ginger contains shogaol and gingerol which are two substances that help alleviate inflammation and helps relieve digestive issues.

Not only that, these substances also stimulate the production of bile and the release of digestive enzyme that helps improve digestive function.

Enhances mental health

The consumption of ginger can also boost the amount of serotonin and dopamine. These are brain neurotransmitters that play a significant role in our memory and learning ability.

Improves heart health

Ginger also has a positive impact on our heart health by lowering both our cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Delivers antioxidant benefits

Ginger contains potassium which works with glutathione in detoxifying the body. At the same time, it enhances the antioxidant properties of glutathione which protects the body from the damaging effects of freed radicals.

Nutritional Value        

Different ginger beer brands contain varying ingredients, so naturally their nutritional content may differ as well. With that said, here are the amount of nutrients you can get from a can (382 g) of ginger beer: (*)

• Calories: 186 Kcal
• Fat: 0 g
• Total Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Sodium: 26 mg
• Calcium: 11 g
• Potassium: 4 mg

Is Ginger Beer Healthy?

Yes, Ginger beer is healthy, but only when consumed in moderation.

It’s true that the drink offers a few health benefits. However, it’s important to keep in mind that it contains high amounts of sugar (and a bit of alcohol), so make sure to enjoy this drink only from time to time.

What Drinks Can You Make with Ginger Beer?

If you’re wondering what types of drinks you can make with Ginger beer, there are lots! Check some of the best options below:

Moscow Mule

You can make this cocktail by mixing the beer with vodka and freshly-squeezed lime juice. The result is a sweet and tart drink that packs a punch.

Dark ‘N Stormy

This cocktail contains equal parts of rum and the beer then fill it up with ice and finish off with a slice of lime wedge. If you want to make it a bit sweeter, you can also add simple syrup.

Whiskey Ginger

The drink actually calls for ginger ale, but you can replace it with ginger beer for a stronger ginger flavor.

El Diablo

Here’s a highball that contains interesting flavors and features a bright red shape. That’s because it contains berries, lime, ginger beer, and tequila.

Mexican Mule

If you want a fun and flavorful version of the classic mule, then you should try this bold, bubbly, and spicy drink. It contains tequila, ginger beer, and lime juice.

How Does Ginger Beer Compare to Other Mixers?

Ginger beer is only one of the few mixers that you can use in making cocktails. If you’re wondering why you should pick it, then you need to understand how its taste differs from other mixers. Here’s the information you need to know:

Vs. Ginger Ale

As compared to ginger ale, the beer has a stronger ginger flavor and more intense spiciness. Since ginger ale contains artificial flavoring, it has a milder ginger taste. However, it’s a lot sweeter as it contains huge amounts of sweeteners. Not only that, it has higher carbonation as well.

If you want to make sweeter and fizzier cocktails, then ginger ale is the way to go.

Vs. Root Beer

These two drinks have lots of similarities. Despite being called beers, they are actually non-alcoholic drinks. Additionally, they also both fermented beverages. Last but not the least, they are both extracted from different types of roots.

However, they taste differently from one another. Ginger beer is known for its sharp, tangy, and spicy taste while root beer gives off a distinct sweet and woody taste.

For sweeter and subtly flavored drinks, then root beer is the way to go.

Vs. Sprite

Both drinks are sought-after because of their unique flavor and fizziness, but the flavors they deliver to cocktails are quite different.

Between the two, Sprite is sweeter and a whole lot bubblier. Not only that, it has a citrusy and fruity taste which is a sharp contrast against the beer’s spicy flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ginger beer taste good?

There’s no specific answer to this since it’s quite subjective. But here’s what we have to say about it—this drink is the one for you if you’re looking for a refreshing drink with slight sweetness, a strong ginger flavor, and a spicy kick.

Is ginger beer spicy?

Yes, it’s spicy. However, the level of spiciness that it has depends on the type of ginger it contains.

It owes its spicy flavor to the substance called gingerol. It’s a phenolic compound that triggers the spice receptors in our tongue and is the one responsible for ginger’s peppery taste. (*)

Learn more: Where is Ginger Beer in the Grocery Store?

Final Words

What does ginger beer taste like? The drink gives off a strong ginger flavor with a hint of spiciness, citrus, and sweetness. The taste is well-complemented by its bubbly and fizzy texture.

People may consider this as a non-alcoholic drink, but its flavor profile is definitely more complex than your regular soft drink. That’s why it’s considered to be one of the best alcoholic mixers out there.

Up Next: 5 Best Ginger Beer Brands to Try on Your Next Cocktail Party