Legend has it that ginger ale can cure a stomach ache, but the real question is, Can it prevent a hangover? 

If you’re looking for an easy mixer for your cocktails, ginger ale could be the answer. This sweet soda infused with ginger root flavor adds a touch of sophistication to even the simplest cocktails, like the two-ingredient ginger ale and whiskey.

Using ginger ale in a drink is almost like skipping a step. Instead of adding in bitters, infusions, or other spice-forward mixers, ginger ale covers these flavors on its own. It pairs excellently with notes of citrus, fruit, and botanicals, which are common in mixers and liquors like gin and tequila. 

Below, we’ll show you how to make some very simple drink recipes using this soda alongside some flashier creations to impress your dinner guests.

1. Whiskey and ginger ale

As the name implies, this easy cocktail is a simple mix of whiskey and ginger ale—well, that and some ice. Fill a highball glass (or any tall cocktail glass) with ice, pour in 2 ounces of whiskey, and top with ginger ale. Swirl gently to combine. 

Bartender’s tip: You can easily convert this easy drink into an “Irish mule” by preparing it in a copper mule mug, adding in a big splash of lime, and garnishing the finished cocktail with a mint sprig. Normally a mule is prepared with vodka and called a Moscow mule. However, by substituting the vodka for Irish whiskey, you create an “Irish” variation. Use other hard liquors like tequila, mezcal, rum, or gin to make other international varieties.

2. Pimm’s cup (a ginger ale cocktail with gin) 

This cocktail recipe calls for Pimm’s, which is a fruity, gin-based English liqueur. It also calls for an uncommon cocktail ingredient: cucumber. Does that make this drink healthy? We’d like to think so. 

To make, first cut two thin cucumber rounds and place them in the bottom of the glass. Muddle the cucumber*. Add in 2 ounces of Pimm’s and a handful of ice. Stir until the liqueur is cold. Then, top with ginger ale and add in a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Stir the drink gently again to combine all of the ingredients. Garnish the cocktail with mint leaves or cucumber slices. 

Bartender’s tip: To muddle fruits and herbs in cocktails, simply use a wooden chopstick or the top end of a wooden mixing spoon to press down on the fruits and herbs in the bottom of the glass. This releases juices and flavor. Some bar kits come with a muddler, so if you have one, use that tool instead.

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3. Vodka Ginger ale

This great cocktail is just as simple as a whiskey and ginger ale, and as you may have imagined, the preparation method is the same. Fill a tall glass with ice, pour in 1 ½ ounces of vodka, and top with ginger ale. Stir the drink gently to combine the ingredients. Serve the finished cocktail with a lime wedge as garnish. 

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4. El diablo (a ginger ale cocktail with tequila)

This devilish drink contains the world’s favorite Mexican liquor: Tequila. To make, add one-half ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice, one-half ounce of crème de cassis, and 1 ½ ounces of tequila to a shaker with ice. After shaking well, strain into a highball glass over ice cubes. Top up with ginger ale. Crème de cassis is a French blackcurrant liqueur that adds a touch of deep fuschia to any drink.

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5. Dark and Stormy

This classic drink is traditionally made with ginger beer, but this variety makes a ginger ale cocktail with rum. To make, fill an eight-ounce rocks glass or a larger highball glass with ice and add in 1 ounce of light rum. Pour in ginger ale until the glass is almost full, then pour 1 ounce of dark rum on top. Garnish with a lime wedge, and enjoy.

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FAQ

Can you make ginger ale cocktails non alcoholic? 

You can leave the vodka out of a Moscow mule—or the whisky in an Irish mule—for a drink that is refreshing, limey, and sweet. This mule won’t kick, but you’ll avoid the headache the morning after a big party. 

If you want to try your hand at some classic mocktail mixology, you can stir up a virgin Shirley Temple. Add ½ tablespoon of grenadine to a highball glass over ice and then top up with a 1:1 ratio of lemon-lime soda and ginger ale. Stir the drink to combine the flavors. We recommend not stirring too vigorously so that the grenadine sits on the bottom of the drink, creating an ombre effect. Plus, that little bit of concentrated syrup is the best part of a Shirely Temple. Don’t forget to garnish your mocktail with speared maraschino cherries and a lemon wedge.

What’s the difference between ginger ale and ginger beer? 

Many ginger beers are infused with the fresh root for several days, taking on a strong ginger flavor. On the other hand, ginger ale, which is more like a soda, may contain a flavorant or ginger syrup. As a result, the ginger flavor is a bit softer. 

No matter which cocktail you plan on trying, one thing’s for sure: you’re going to need ginger ale. Gopuff can bring soda, snacks, and even liquor to your door in a matter of minutes, so get out your bar kit. It’s time for happy hour.