Whiskey and ginger is one of the best combinations in the cocktail world — the spice of ginger against the warmth of whiskey, cut with a squeeze of lime. Here's the non-alcoholic version that doesn't compromise on either.
What You Need
- 2 oz No. 86 Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
- 4–5 oz ginger beer (Fever-Tree or Q Ginger Beer)
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- Ice
- Tall glass or rocks glass
- Lime wedge to garnish
How to Make It
- Fill your glass with ice.
- Pour No. 86 over the ice.
- Add fresh lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer, pouring slowly down the side of the glass to keep the carbonation.
- Stir once gently. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Ginger Beer vs Ginger Ale
Use ginger beer, not ginger ale. Ginger ale is sweet and mild — it doesn't have the bite you need to stand up to No. 86. Ginger beer is spicier, more intense, and fermented (though non-alcoholic) which gives it a depth ginger ale can't match.
Fever-Tree Ginger Beer and Q Ginger Beer are the two best options. Both are available at most grocery stores. Bundaberg is a good budget option.
The Lime
Fresh only. Bottled lime juice tastes metallic against ginger beer and mutes No. 86's vanilla notes. Half a lime squeezed fresh takes 10 seconds and makes a significant difference.
Variations
Smoky Whiskey Ginger: Add a few drops of liquid smoke or use a smoked salt rim. Unusual but works well with the ginger spice.
Spiced Whiskey Ginger: Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters (All the Bitter makes a great non-alcoholic version). Adds complexity without changing the fundamental character of the drink.
Whiskey Ginger Mule: Same drink, copper mug, more lime. Technically a mule format — the copper keeps it colder longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best ginger beer for a whiskey ginger?
Fever-Tree is the benchmark. It has real ginger heat and isn't overly sweet. Q Ginger Beer is slightly drier. Bundaberg is a good value option. Avoid mass-market brands — they're mostly sugar with ginger flavoring.
Do you shake or stir a whiskey ginger?
Neither — just build it in the glass. Shaking a carbonated drink kills the bubbles. Stirring too aggressively does the same. Pour, give it one gentle stir, and leave it alone.
Can I use ginger syrup instead?
Yes — combine ginger syrup with sparkling water at about 1:4 ratio. It won't be exactly the same as ginger beer, but it works and lets you control the sweetness independently.
Pour it tonight.
No. 86 and ginger beer. One of the easiest non-alcoholic drinks worth making.
→ Shop No. 86 — from $35.99
Make this recipe with No. 86 non-alcoholic whiskey — built for cocktails like this one.