Have you ever tasted ginger beer? How does a beer taste, especially ginger beer? If you not tried it yet, you must taste it at least once in a lifetime, especially people who like the ginger flavors. As a food experimenter who tries mostly spicy things, ginger beer was on my bucket list. Guess what, I just tried most of the brands of ginger beer and gonna review each best ginger beer for Moscow mule.
What is Ginger Beer?
Ginger beer is a carbonated drink that mainly consists of ginger, sugar, and water. It is mostly brewed and fermented to have traces of alcohol. The distinctive character of the taste is derived from the sharp bite of the ginger mixing with the sweetness from the sugar. Thus making it quite refreshing and flavorful. Also many people have doubts like is ginger beer gluten free or not, the answer is yes and it have no glutenin content.
Many people enjoy ginger beer as a pure drink, though most commonly its appearance is in mixed cocktails, such as Moscow Mule. With a strong, zesty sharpness, ginger beer is an ingredient that many find indispensable to a drink, because it imparts flavor along with effervescence.
Introduction to Ginger Beer and Its History
This bubbly beverage, ginger beer, originated in England during the 1700s as an alcoholic drink brewed with fermented ginger. The early brews were simply ginger mixed with sugar and water, which allowed the mixture to ferment naturally to brew alcohol content. It became quite popular and traveled to other countries and eventually landed in America.
Then it slowly evolved into the non-alcoholic one used today. During the 19th century, all the beverage continued to be highly popular and was administered for its medicinal purposes, which mostly served as a digestive. In modern times, ginger beer gained renewed interest, particularly as an additive that will find its application in cocktails, and has become very popular in bars around the globe.
Ginger Beer vs. Ginger Ale: What’s the Difference?
The real difference between ginger beer and ginger ale lies within the taste and consistency. Ginger beer tastes spicier, stronger, and often thicker depending on the nature of fermentation. Whereas ginger ale tastes pretty mild with a much sweeter, softer taste and almost has less carbonation. Also it has a lighter flavor of ginger than expected.
The boldness of ginger beer makes it the perfect match for a drink like the Moscow Mule, where the spiciness complements the other ingredients. A ginger ale may be refreshing in this regard, but it is missing that extra intensity that makes it such a crucial component of strong, flavorful drinks like a Mule.
Why is Ginger Beer Important to a Great Moscow Mule?
A Moscow Mule has ginger beer as its base that contributes to the signature spice kick of the cocktail. Sharp ginger flavors somehow manage to compete well with sour lime and smooth vodka flavor, creating a well-balanced drink.
Carbonation of ginger beer also gives the drink lively, bubbly effervescence that helps each sip really pop. Without the ginger beer, it would not be much more than a lime and vodka-based drink. It is the ginger beer ability to bring that perfect balance of flavors which makes the Moscow Mule stand out as such a great cocktail.
The Significance of Ginger Beer to the Moscow Mule
As we know, the ginger beer has such a popularity in Moscow Mule owes to the brashness of ginger beer, introduced into the cocktail in the 1940s. It was a couple of enterprising spirits, John Martin, who introduced Smirnoff vodka to the U.S. Jack Morgan, who owned the Cock’n Bull ginger beer brand. He teamed up to join the spicy, carbonated drink with vodka and lime, whose result was an instant hit.
A lot of years have passed since then, and the Moscow Mule has turned into a cultural icon, but ginger beer is at the heart of it. Without it, there simply would be no such as the refreshing quality and depth of flavor, making it as lovable as it is.
The Ginger Beer Awards
The Ginger Beer Awards is an annual contest in which the best ginger beer brands are reviewed. It also ranked for their performance on a variety of parameters, such as flavor, fizz, and authenticity. Under testing, ginger beers are evaluated for how well they balance spiciness, sweetness, and carbonation for the ideal cocktail blend.
Brands are also rated on the overall drinkability and pairing with the vodka and lime in the Moscow Mule. Among the top scorers are those like Fever Tree and Bundaberg, which have received very high marks for their strong flavor and fine carbonation. These awards can be of tremendous use to the consumer in finding the best ginger beers available in the market for a great Mule experience.
The Taste Test
I compared multiple ginger beers to see which ones work well in a Moscow Mule. For each brand, the bottle was tasted, so the flavor profile before being mixed with vodka and lime. My major observing points were the flavor intensity of the ginger, the sweetness content, and the quality of carbonation. Others were too sweet or too faint-they blunted an otherwise terrific Mule. However, in the case of some of the more superior brews, a perfect sweet-hot-fizzy balance proved to be just the edge that made a big difference.
Best Ginger Beer Brands for Moscow Mule
1. Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Bundaberg Ginger Beer is a super-premium Australian product famous for its rich flavor and bold ginger punch. Its taste-bud tingle, both with the molasses-like sweetness and the strong kick, creates an original flavor profile.
It is used in cocktails, particularly with Moscow Mule, perfectly balancing the lime and vodka content for a delightful concoction of flavors while the smooth and steady carbonation puts every sip into the better aspect of bubbly and crisp. If you like a ginger beer with a fuller flavor profile that doesn’t overpower, Bundaberg is a top pick for well-rounded Mule.
2. Cock’n Bull Ginger Beer
Cock’n Bull Ginger Beer played a vital role in the Moscow Mule, as it has been part of its history since the 1940s. Though spicy and robust, it has a gingery kick which gives a unique distinction in cocktail beverages. Its smooth carbonation enables it to stand alone as the perfect mixer.
It can maintain balanced effervescence without being too fizzy. It’s not cloyingly sweet, letting the spiciness of the ginger actually shine through in a Mule. For being one of the earliest ginger beers commercially used for the Moscow Mule, it remains a top choice today for its quality and consistency.
3. Crabbie’s Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer
Crabbie’s Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer would be excellent if someone wanted a little alcohol in his or her ginger beer. Its mildly alcoholic content is about 4-5% ABV, that gives this drink some differentiation from the traditional ginger beer experience.
The flavor is rich and bold, with some heated ginger flavor that really makes a Mule shine with lime and vodka. The subtle sweetness balances the spice. Therefore, stays smooth, enjoyable to drink. The product contains flavor, along with a slight buzz for those who need one. They are a superb ginger beer if you’re looking for something that offers both flavor and a little buzz.
4. Fentiman’s Botanically Brewed Ginger Beer
Fentiman’s Botanically Brewed Ginger Beer is distinguishable by its subtle complexity in combining botanicals. Their ginger beer is a highly complex, deeper flavor that doesn’t even remotely come off as unbalanced like so many other mass market ginger beers do. It is great for one who requires the possibility of a slightly floral underlay to complement the taste of their ginger.
Its strong ginger heat is balanced by its faint sweetness, and it plays second fiddle to the lime and vodka without overpowering the latter to make a Moscow Mule. The natural fermentation also gives the drink some flavor depth rarely found in mass-produced ginger beers. For any cocktail enthusiast looking for high-quality, well-crafted ginger beer, Fentiman’s is your guy.
5. Fever Tree Ginger Beer
Among the very best ginger beers on the market, many consider Fever Tree the gold standard of quality. All natural ingredients using a three-ginger blend bring a crisp refreshing taste without being too sweet.
The spice and sweetness balanced with effervescence makes it ideal for pairing up with a Moscow Mule, adding to the flavor of the drink without overpowering it in the slightest. The carbonation is feathery but steady, so the Mule retains its characteristic fizz. Fever Tree is often the chosen ginger beer in bars as well as home bartenders who want a premium and well-balanced ginger beer.
6. Q Ginger Beer
Q Ginger Beer. For those who like a sophisticated, dry ginger beer that yields sharp bite on the ginger and minimal sugar, it is a great choice for the Mule drinker who prefers a less sweet, more intense ginger beer.
Dryness cuts well against sweet vodka and lime juice to round the flavors out in the cocktail. The carbonation is gentle but strong enough to still allow a crisp finish after each sip. Overall, if you are on the lookout for a ginger beer that has more pronounced ginger heat and less syrupy sweetness, then Q Ginger Beer is definitely one of the top choices.
7. Seabold Ginger Beer
Seabold Ginger Beer is handcrafted for a strongly spicy, full-bodied ginger flavor with a touch of sweetness. The taste is full-bodied and carries a good ginger kick right through all the elements in a Moscow Mule.
Since Seabold is a craft product, they only use the best ingredients, which makes it much smoother and more naturally flavored. Its acuteness and effervescence make it a good mixer, though it stands out in any cocktail that calls for ginger beer. If you want a premium, bold ginger beer, Seabold is a great choice.
8. Reed’s Ginger Beer
Although Reed’s Ginger Beer is one of the more popular ginger beers, it’s always famous for sweet, slightly fruity flavor. The mingling of ginger and fruit juices makes the flavor quite accessible and pleasurable for casual sipping.
At the same time, it might be a bit too sugary for some in a Moscow Mule. It has a robust ginger flavor. But at times, it’s so sweet that the other components are overpowered, so it doesn’t work for folks who like their Mule spicier and drier. Its carbonation level is acceptable, but it does not bring the crispness other premium ginger beers possess. Yet as sweet as it is, Reed’s is a drink go-to for those who like their ginger beer milder and sweeter.
9. Buderim Ginger Brew
Buderim Ginger Brew is an Australian ginger beer that offers a rather vivid fresh flavor with perfect balance between sweetness and spice. Buderim Ginger Brew is refreshing and light in character compared to some intense ginger beers, so it works great for people who do not want quite that aggressive a ginger bite.
The carbonation is extremely crisp and lively, doing well in a Moscow Mule to give the drink that refreshing lift. A smooth ginger flavor is augmented by a slight citrus note that adds to the character of the drink without overpowering it. For those who prefer a slightly milder but still flavorful ginger beer, this alternative from Buderim is great.
10. Kroger Ginger Beer
If you want to save a few dollars but can’t quite skip that ginger beer for your Moscow Mule, Kroger Ginger Beer gets the job done. It’s solid, though less spicy, ginger flavor. At first, you might miss that intense ginger punch of that higher premium brand, but in a Moscow Mule, it’s a good second choice if you’re going for a more straightforward, casual take on the cocktail.
The sweetness of this beer is very moderate. It has carbonation very lightly that creates a smooth effervescence. Kroger Ginger Beer is a decent, not-overpriced choice for people looking to try a Moscow Mule on a budget without the inflated prices of some high-end ginger beers. This one’s plain and got the job done, available at most grocery stores nationwide.
11. Brooklyn’s Crafted Lemon-Lime Ginger Beer
Brooklyn’s Crafted Lemon-Lime Ginger Beer adds a twist to classically traditional ginger beer in that it provides a fresh, citrusy pop of zinc. The flavor is lemon-lime over spice from the ginger, giving you a bright, zesty base to work with over a classic Moscow Mule. It’s great for those who love just a little extra citrus in their cocktails and want to add a refreshing, tangy note to the mix.
The ginger still remains front and center, but the citrus adds a lightness, a crisp refreshing taste. And if you want to spice things up from the true mule, then Brooklyn’s Lemon-Lime Ginger Beer is the great lively and flavorful alternative.
12. The Ginger People’s Bottoms Up Ginger Beer
Bottoms Up Ginger Beer by The Ginger People features a strong and spicy ginger flavor that’s seriously intense. The spice is quite sharp and provides a satisfying heat for warmer drinkers, who will appreciate bolder consumption of ginger beer. The carbonation is quite sharp and cuts through the smoothness to make the beer crisp and refreshing, which makes it perfect for cocktails.
This is subtly sweet so that the ginger takes the lead, but it also ends with a smooth finish. If you want a ginger beer that is such a radical step up in spice and flavor intensity, Bottoms Up from The Ginger People will do a Moscow Mule just fine.
13. Gosling’s Ginger Beer
Gosling’s is a smooth, well-balanced ginger beer that is commonly used in most bars for making Moscow Mules. It has a sharp flavor of ginger without being overpowering and comes with a good clean crisp taste complementing the lime and vodka flavors of the cocktail.
The carbonation is gentle but enough to create refreshingness on every drink. Gosling’s ginger beer is drinkable, and its less spicy flavor is so much more mature than the spicier ones. It’s the old favorite for anyone who wants his ginger beer to complement well with the Mule but not steal the thunder.
14. Hollows & Fentimans Ginger Beer
Hollows & Fentimans Ginger Beer is brewed using natural fermentation. This gives it an authentic flavor profile that’s unique. The balance between sweet and spicy is subtly consumed to present a complex taste that really serves well in cocktails, like the Moscow Mule.
Though it holds ginger warmth, it does not overstep and has a light carbonation. That means the flavors can surface rather than being too fizzy. For a really artisanal take on one’s drinks, this is the ginger beer. If you want your ginger beer with deep, layered flavors, Hollows & Fentimans is for you.
15. Stoli
While not nearly as famous for its vodka brand, Stoli also provides a ginger beer, and unlike many, it comes with a lighter flavor profile. Stoli Ginger Beer has a light zing of ginger-good for those who would like a less punchy drink in their Moscow Mule. It’s nice and clean with hardly any sweetness.
There’s little sweetness to get in the way of the vodka and lime in the drink. Carbonation is smooth but, being compared to some of the more effervescent ginger beers, not as lively, and may be appealing to those who prefer a more subdued Mule. All in all, Stoli Ginger Beer is a good option for someone who prefers a lighter and more drinkable ginger beer with the cocktail.
Best Ginger Beer a Moscow Mule? – Personal Favorite
Among the best ginger beers for Moscow Mules, I choose Fever Tree and Bundaberg as my top choices. Fever Tree stands to date among the best ginger beers since it has always reflected the perfect balance in the flavor of ginger, sweetness, and carbonation.
Bundaberg is my secondary choice with deep slightly molasses infused flavors coming out richly complex. Though awaiting a more potent kick Cock’n Bull can certainly serve you well. Overall, the best ginger beer is subjective, depending on preference for level of sweetness, spiciness, or dryness.
Most Overrated: Reed’s Strongest
Reed’s Strongest isn’t right for a Moscow Mule. The ginger beer tastes only just okay, but it is overwhelmingly sweet and suffocates the spiciness. Carbonation of this ginger beer isn’t alive enough for a Mule, and it leaves a lingering aftertaste that doesn’t combine well with vodka.
I liked Reed’s because it’s bright, but the flavor in this case did not balance out. It is a good ginger beer, but not my top pick for this classic cocktail like the Moscow Mule.
Where Do You Buy Ginger Beer?
It can be stocked in the grocery store, in the beverage section, or the international foods section. For a more diverse selection, check out specialty liquor stores and they will have Fever Tree, Fentiman’s, and Bundaberg, among others.
Many online retailers, such as Amazon, also offer selections that can be had delivered directly to your doorstep. Artisanal ginger beers can be found at farmers’ markets, where a local brew may be discovered. If there’s a favorite brand, online retailers specializing in craft beverages are good bets, as these often carry smaller, more exclusive brands.
How to Make Your Own Ginger Beer?
Ingredients:
- Fresh ginger root
- Sugar (about 1 cup)
- Water (1 liter)
- Lemon juice (1–2 tablespoons)
- Yeast (1/4 teaspoon, optional for fermentation)
Instructions:
- Peel and grate about 2–3 inches of fresh ginger root.
- Boil the ginger with sugar and water for about 20 minutes, then let it cool to room temperature.
- Add lemon juice and yeast (optional for fermentation) and stir the mixture.
- Pour the mixture into a bottle, seal it tightly, and let it ferment for 24–48 hours at room temperature.
- Once fermented, strain the ginger beer, refrigerate it, and enjoy it in your favorite cocktails or on its own!
Also Read: Topo Chico Ginger Beer Review
FAQs on Ginger Beer
What ginger beer do bartenders use?
Bartenders often use Fever-Tree, Q Mixers, or Bundaberg for their balanced flavor and quality.
Is ginger beer better than ginger ale for Moscow Mule?
Yes, ginger beer’s spicy kick complements the Moscow Mule’s bold flavors better than ginger ale.
Is Crabbie’s ginger beer good for Moscow Mule?
Yes, Crabbie’s ginger beer adds a unique, slightly boozy twist to a classic Moscow Mule.
