This refreshing, 3-ingredient Whiskey Ginger Cocktail is one of the easiest whiskey drinks to make at home! 

Whiskey Ginger?

Ginger Whiskey? 

Big Ginger? 

Jameson Ginger? 

This 3-ingredient cocktail goes by a slew of names, but I think we can all agree that the combination of whiskey, ginger ale and lime wedges makes this Ginger Whiskey Cocktail one refreshing libation!

Summer Whiskey Cocktail

No need to give up your favorite brown spirit now that warmer weather has arrived.

Don’t get me wrong; I love a more whiskey-forward drink when the weather turns cooler, especially these Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktails.

But during shorts season, you can find me reaching for a whiskey-based cocktail with lighter flavors, including these refreshing Bourbon Elderflower Cocktails or this thirst-quenching Ginger Whiskey Cocktail. 

What’s in a Whiskey Ginger? 

The ingredient list for this cocktail couldn’t be simpler: 

• Whiskey
• Ginger ale
• Fresh lime wedges

No mixology degree needed for this happy hour special! 

How do you make a Ginger Whiskey Cocktail? 

There are some cocktails that are sticklers for proportions. For example, I wouldn’t just toss the ingredients for these Bourbon Aperol Cocktails into a glass and hope for the best. 

But this Ginger Whiskey Cocktail isn’t one for details. It’s essentially your preferred whiskey to ginger ale ratio with a squeeze of fresh lime. Follow these steps:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice. 
2. Measure desired amount of whiskey and add it to the glass. (These beakers are great for measuring liquids, especially for smaller amounts like in cocktails. Definitely one of our favorite kitchen tools!)
3. Top with ginger ale. 
4. Squeeze the juice from a fresh lime wedge into the glass. 
5. Stir cocktail with straw or a bar spoon. 

The whiskey amount I’ve listed in the recipe below is merely a starting point. Feel free to adjust to your own tastes. 

Some like their drinks a bit stronger and will go heavier on the whiskey (ahem, my husband) and others a bit lighter on the liquor (me, on a hot summer day). You do you! 

Ginger ale vs. ginger beer – what’s the difference? 

You may see similar cocktail recipes that call for ginger beer instead of ginger ale. 

Ginger beer is actually brewed and fermented though most ginger beers you see at the store do not contain any alcohol. Ginger ale is carbonated water that has been flavored with ginger. 

If you love ginger beer, you can definitely use it in this recipe. Ginger beer will give you a spicier drink while ginger ale gives a sweeter, smoother flavor. I personally prefer using ginger ale in my Whiskey Gingers. 

I’m not a huge whiskey fan. Will I like this Ginger Whiskey Cocktail? 

Not feeling the whiskey love? I know whiskey can be a bit polarizing. Either you love it or can’t stomach it.

I like to think this Ginger Whiskey Cocktail is a happy medium for those non-whiskey lovers out there. The bubbly ginger ale mellows the whiskey and keeps the cocktail’s flavor light and bright. Plus the lime juice gives each sip just a nip of freshness. 

Is bourbon the same as whiskey? That’s all I have. Can I use that instead? 

All bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon. Confusing, right?

I couldn’t agree more. It all depends on where it’s made and the type of grain it is made with. If you really want to do a deep dive into the nuances between bourbon and whiskey, this article by Chowhound sums it up pretty well.

Let’s just say that for sake of simplicity, you can use either bourbon or whiskey in this Ginger Whiskey Cocktail. Both work equally well and you won’t notice a major flavor difference by using them interchangeably here. 

So what’s the best whiskey for a Ginger Whiskey Cocktail? 

The only time I’m a stickler for a certain type of spirit is when St. Patrick’s Day rolls around.

Ever been in a bar and heard someone order a Jameson and Ginger? It was probably March 17th.

Since everyone is a little bit Irish on that holiday, Irish whiskey is a must in this Ginger Whiskey Cocktail on St. Paddy’s Day.

Other than that, feel free to use your favorite whiskey brand. A big buck bottle is not needed (though you definitely want to buy something you like the taste of).

Serve your Whiskey Ginger in a highball glass

Why a highball glass? The extra capacity allows enough room for plenty of ice and the prescribed amounts of the cocktail ingredients.

Worried about buying glasses for just one cocktail? Mojitos are right at home in a highball glass, especially our Watermelon Mojitos, our Tequila Mojitos and our Elderflower Mojitos. 

This Ginger Whiskey Cocktail can also be the star of a DIY drink station

Make this drink the signature cocktail for your next party! Simply create a DIY drink-building space so guests can mix up their own beverages.

Place the whiskey, ginger ale and lime wedges on a table along with glasses and ice. Guests can add as much or as little whiskey to their cocktails as they like. 

Pin this easy Ginger Whiskey Cocktail for later! 

 

What other drinks can I make with whiskey? 

• If you’re serving a crowd, these Meyer Lemon Whiskey Sours and Cranberry Whiskey Sours are always a hit. 
• Kickin’ it old school? You can’t beat a classic Manhattan Cocktail. 
• Craving something a bit more unusual? Our Gold Rush Cocktail is made with bourbon, lemon juice and a spicy ginger liqueur. It tastes just like a ginger martini! 
• Find all of our cocktail recipes here! 

Need an easy whiskey drink recipe to make at home? Our 3-ingredient Ginger Whiskey Cocktail is made with ginger ale, whiskey and fresh lime wedges. It’s super refreshing, comes together in minutes and is a great cocktail recipe for spur of the moment happy hours or large groups as it can also be served batch style.