Ginger beer is having a moment, thanks in part to the recent popularity of the Moscow Mule. But that’s only half the story. People have been enjoying the spicy flavor of ginger beer on its own or in their favorite cocktail for quite some time. Maybe it’s time for you to explore some ginger beer brands to add some spice to your beverages.

But what is the best ginger beer to start your explorations? That depends on what you’re looking for. Ginger beer comes in various strengths, from a mild ginger flavor to a strong one that really packs a punch. You also need to consider whether you’re drinking it straight as a non-alcoholic refresher or mixing it to create a cocktail. 

Whatever you desire, a spicy and full-bodied ginger brew or an easy-drinking, smooth ginger experience to pair with your favorite alcohol — we’ve got the perfect beverage to tickle your tastebuds and transport you to a tropical island like Bermuda or Jamaica. 

So grab your straw, and let’s get started. 

1. Reed's Extra Ginger Beer 4pk 12oz Can

Made in the finest Jamaican tradition. Reed’s Extra is a refreshing brew that combines natural pineapple and other fruit juices with honey, spices, and twice the amount of ginger as their regular ginger beer for a spicy and invigorating beverage. 

Reed’s pioneered craft ginger beer in the United States and remains the nation’s best-selling choice. All-natural, real ingredients, and nothing else — no flavorings, no colorings, no artificial sweeteners, no preservatives.

$7.49

2. Q Drinks Ginger Beer 4pk 7.5oz Can

Sometimes, it’s best not to split your focus. Q Drinks understands this and focuses its efforts on creating the best ginger beer for cocktails, bar none. Their ginger beer is crafted as a mixer and a mixer only. Using organic agave and real ginger root, Q Ginger Beer is spicy, highly carbonated, not too sweet, and the perfect addition to your next cocktail party.

$7.49

3. Fever Tree Ginger Beer 16.9oz

This ginger beer is brewed using a unique blend of gingers from Nigeria, Cochin, and the Ivory Coast to craft a robust, spicy flavor. Cloudy with natural sediment, Fever Tree Ginger Beer has a distinct ginger taste that isn’t too sweet and lingers on your palate. Blend it into your next Dark n’ Stormy or Moscow Mule, add some chili peppers for an extra kick of heat, or enjoy its refreshing flavor all on its own.

$3.99

4. Goslings Diet Stormy Ginger Beer 12oz 6pk Can

Enjoy Ginger Beer without limits. Goslings Diet Stormy Ginger Beer has zero calories and zero carbs while delivering an authentic gingery punch. Like Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer, their diet version includes flavors of lime peel, crystallized ginger, meringue, and turmeric, making it the best diet ginger beer you can buy. The result is a tingling, layered, and very long finish that genuinely refreshes — sugar-free.

$9.99

5. Goya Ginger Beer Soda 12oz Btl

This Jamaican-style ginger beer is milder than other brews but still delivers the delicious spicy kick you expect from an authentic ginger beer. It leaves a pleasant tingle on your lips, encouraging long, slow sips that let you fully appreciate its lively, refreshing taste. This ginger beer is the perfect treat for kicking back and dreaming of Jamaica.

$1.69

6. Cock 'N Bull Ginger Beer 24oz

Take a sip of history. Cock ‘N Bull Ginger Beer is the original mixer used to craft the first Moscow Mule. Jack Morgan, owner of the Cock ‘N Bull Restaurant in L.A., created the cocktail using his restaurant’s very own ginger beer. Now available nationally, Cock ‘N Bull Ginger Beer uses only natural ginger flavor for full-flavored heat and is caffeine-free, making it the perfect accompaniment to your favorite vodka or bourbon.

$2.99

7. Sanpellegrino Ginger Beer 4pk 6.7oz

Looking to add a touch of personality and sophistication to your cocktails, Sanpellegrino Ginger Beer is here to lend a hand. This brew combines lime and lemon juices with a distinctive ginger blend to deliver a smooth and piquant taste with a hint of both bitter and sweet. Its balanced flavor is ideal on its own or mixed into your favorite cocktail.

$6.49

8. Owen's Ginger Beer & Lime 4pk 250ml Btl

Owen’s Ginger Beer + Lime is a premium cocktail mixer made in the United States using premium ingredients. It’s crafted with premium lime juice to create a crisp, balanced cocktail that holds its refreshing flavor when combined with liquor. Owen’s Ginger Beer + Lime can help you craft a delicious, easy-to-enjoy cocktail every time.

$8.99

9. Bundaberg Ginger Beer 4pk 375ml

Bundaberg crafts their Australian version of ginger beer from locally-grown fresh ginger and sugarcane and never compromises ingredients or quality. Hold the bottle upside down and watch real brewed ginger pieces floating suspended in a delicious flavor-filled cloud of ingredients. It’s also naturally gluten-free. Pop one open and experience the full-bodied ginger flavor that could only come from Down Under.

$6.99

10. Brooklyn Crafted Extra Spicy Ginger Beer 4pk 12oz Can

Made in Brooklyn with only the highest quality ginger, pure cane sugar, and carbonated water, this unfiltered, delicious brew delivers an extra kick of ginger flavor. Bring home an authentic taste from the Boroughs of New York. This ginger beer is Non-GMO Project Verified, O.U. Kosher Certified, vegan, and free of high-fructose corn syrup. It’s the perfect choice for mixing with spirits to make your favorite cocktail.

$7.99

11. Betty Buzz Ginger Beer 4PK (4 PK 9 OZ)

Discover the buzz. This zippy beer combines fresh, cold-pressed ginger juice with clean ingredients like naturally-sourced organic sugar to create a ginger brew that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and spice. Pair it with rum, tequila, vodka, whiskey, or let Betty Buzz fly solo.

$7.99

FAQ

Is ginger beer alcoholic?  

It used to be, but our modern-day ginger beer does not contain alcohol. Let’s look at the history of this spicy beverage. 

You might think that ginger beer was first brewed in the Caribbean, with its exotic flavor and reputation as the pirate’s beverage of choice after a hard day pillaging the Spanish Main. But its roots trace back to England.

Ginger beer production dates back to the early 1700s and was first brewed in Yorkshire. Ginger, sugar, and water were blended and fermented to create an effervescent alcoholic beverage with a bold, spicy flavor. Ginger beer proved so popular in England that manufacturers decided to export it to the colonies in earthenware bottles that would become part of its iconic appearance.

While you can still purchase alcoholic versions, modern ginger beer has generally lost its alcohol, but thankfully none of its bite. Instead of relying on fermentation for its fizz, ginger beer depends on carbonation. 

The modernization has also spawned the creation of a milder version of the beverage known as ginger ale. Ginger ale has a lighter, sweeter flavor than its cousin, and you can use the two interchangeably. It’s important to remember when you’re mixing cocktails that ginger beer has a more robust, earthy flavor profile than ginger ale. If you’re looking to create a drink where the ginger bite is front and center, you should choose ginger beer. In cocktails where you want the flavors to blend, ginger ale is the better choice.

Can kids drink ginger beer?

Short answer? Absolutely. 

Kids can and do enjoy ginger beer. Thanks to ginger’s medicinal qualities, it has been a staple home remedy used to treat upset tummies for generations. 

As a parent, you need to remember that some ginger beer brands have a more intense and spicy flavor than others. If your child doesn’t like spicy food, they probably won’t like ginger beer. If your child chooses to try a sample, it would be good to start with sweet, fizzy ginger ale or a milder ginger beer like Goya Ginger Beer Soda. 

You can also cut your favorite ginger beer with club soda to lighten the flavor. Then, if they like the taste and want to move to a more robust flavor, they can. But be careful — you may soon be competing with your child to see who can comfortably drink the most potent ginger beer, Reed’s Strongest Ginger Beer. 

It’s important to let your children explore new tastes and flavors to develop an appreciation for different types of food. You want your child to be an adventurous eater, and trying something unique yet simple, like ginger beer, is an excellent place to start.

What alcohol goes with ginger beer?

The fiery snap of a good ginger beer makes it a lively cocktail mixer. You can pair it with pretty much any alcohol you desire. The best ginger beer for Moscow Mules and other cocktails are:

• Vodka: Moscow Mule, Christi Extreme

• Rum: Dark ‘n’ Stormy, Añejo Highball

• Whiskey: Irish Mule, Horsefeather Cocktail

• Tequila: El Diablo, Spiced Silver Bell

• Gin: GinGin Mule, Foghorn

We’ve got some great cocktail recipes to get you started if you're looking for inspiration. 

The wonderful thing about ginger beer is that there are many different flavors, mild to spicy and sour to sweet, depending on the brand. Changing the brand can completely alter the taste and bring new life to a favorite cocktail. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new combinations. Your next exquisite taste experience could be right around the corner.