Ginger Ale
Is this for me?
Choose this if…
- ✓You want to lengthen a drink with carbonation and refreshing character.
Skip if…
- ✗You prefer concentrated or spirit-forward drinks.
What is Ginger Ale?
Ginger ale is a sweet carbonated mixer used in highballs, whiskey drinks, brandy drinks, rum cocktails and easy mixed drinks. It adds bubbles, sweetness and a gentle ginger spice.
What does Ginger Ale taste like?
Sweet, sparkling and lightly spicy, with soft ginger and citrus-like freshness. Ginger ale pairs well with whiskey, bourbon, brandy, rum, vodka, lime, lemon, bitters and fruit syrups.
Ginger Ale profile
Best used for: martinis, gin & tonics, sours, refreshing drinks
- Appears in 40 recipes
- Works in both cocktails and mocktails
- Has 4 common substitutes
Best For
Best With Ginger Ale
Drink Profile
Best for
- Mocktails
- Best with whiskey
- Best with bourbon
- Best with brandy
Substitutes & similar
Possible substitutes for Ginger Ale
Similar styles
Use ginger ale for sweet spice
Ginger ale adds bubbles, sweetness and gentle spice. It suits whiskey, rum, brandy and citrus drinks when you want warmth without heavy bitterness.
Substitutes
How to swap Ginger Ale
When replacing Ginger Ale, match the role it plays in the recipe. Check whether it adds strength, acidity, sweetness, bitterness, aroma, garnish or texture before choosing a substitute.
Skip if
Do not choose Ginger Ale when...
Do not choose Ginger Ale only because it sounds similar to another ingredient. Check its sweetness, strength, texture and recipe role before substituting.
What it is
What does Ginger Ale do in drinks?
Ginger Ale is a Mixer used to adjust flavor, texture, aroma or balance. Its role depends on the recipe.
Drink counts and recipe data are based on published WhatDrink recipes. Figures may vary as new recipes are added.