Ginger Lovers, This Whiskey Cocktail Is the One for You

5.0

(2)

2 Reviews

Try ginger three ways in this simple whiskey cocktail.

By

Lucy Simon

Published on June 5, 2024

Tested by

Julia Levy

Spicy Whiskey Ginger — Photo:
Linda Xiao / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

Total Time:

2 mins

Yield:

1 drink

The combination of whiskey and ginger ale is a dive bar classic, but can often fall flat for those seeking a drink with a bit more flavor. Ginger and whiskey are a great match, but store-bought ginger ale is often too subtle to properly stand up to the caramel, spice, and vanilla notes of whiskey after being mixed.

Consider the Spicy Whiskey Ginger an ode to the original. By combining fresh muddled ginger with spicy-sweet ginger syrup and piquant ginger beer, this drink has enough heat and flavor to contrast, and not just complement, full-flavored whiskey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a whiskey ginger?

A whiskey ginger is a classic well drink (also known as a rail drink) made from whiskey and ginger ale. It's sometimes made with ginger beer, though ginger ale is the most classic.
What the best whiskey for a Spicy Whiskey Ginger?

There are a lot of great whiskeys on the market, and because the category includes bourbon, rye, and American single malt, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. When picking a whiskey to mix with, don’t overthink it: Choose something good enough that you’d sip it neat, but not so precious that you’ll overthink it. We like Woodford Reserve’s Distiller’s Select for its sub-$40 price point and sweet toffee and toast notes.

Notes from the Test Kitchen

Our testers preferred making this cocktail with bourbon over other types of whiskey like rye. As a predominantly corn-based whiskey, bourbon's sweeter notes blend harmoniously with the other ingredients, while balancing the ginger's heat. The more peppery aspects of rye whiskey can clash with ginger’s natural spice.