Ginger Beer Mocktail
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This Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail recipe is spicy and sweet and perfect for those who love bold flavors. It's fast and fun to make, and perfect for a barbecue, dinner party, or when you’re just looking for a refreshing drink with a bit of a kick.
A fun twist on the traditional, my Ginger Beer Mocktail is made with fresh, everyday ingredients and is the perfect choice for those who love their drinks with a little kick. The ginger beer base is complemented with sweet pineapple and fresh lime juice, creating the perfect balance of sweet and spicy that will leave a delicious tingle on your tastebuds.
I love making mocktails with ginger beer. The spicy soft drink gives them a kick similar to the alcohol fume you’d expect from the alcohol-based versions. You could add a little non-alc rum if you had some on hand, but it’s really not necessary. The earthy spice of the ginger beer is all you need.
Why You'll Love It
- Easy: no special skills are required to make this pineapple mule. With just four simple steps, plus a garnish, you’ll have your drink ready in no time.
- Perfectly grownup: the earthy spice of this mocktail lends itself perfectly to an gorwnup palate. Perfect for sipping, this one for the adults. Hint: Just tell the kids that it’s ‘spicy’ and you won’t have to share.
- Nourishing: ginger is loaded with antioxidants, so pick a naturally brewed variety to reap the benefits. Although some nutrients are lost in processing, pineapple and lime juice are sources of vitamin C. Choose a reduced sugar or diet ginger beer for a lower sugar mocktail.
Ingredients
- Pineapple juice: fresh pineapple juice works wonders with the spice of the ginger ale. Find freshly squeezed if you can as more vitamins and fibre will be retained.
- Fresh mint: being a mocktail lover and gardener goes hand in hand. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, a pot of fresh mint on your windowsill is a must. The heat of the mint balances the ginger beer’s spice and adds a lovely freshness to the drink.
- Salt: a pinch of salt really makes the flavors in this mocktail come alive.
- Lime juice: you can’t go past fresh lime juice for that deliciously tart tang. Bottled juice works, but will taste slightly different. See my Tips & Tricks section for how to keep fresh lime juice all year ‘round.
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- Ginger beer: batch brewed and satisfyingly spicy, ginger beer is the hero of this mocktail. For a better-for-you ginger beer mocktail, use low sugar or diet ginger beer. Hint: when it comes to food and beverages, “flavor” is usually code for artificial additives.
How To make a ginger beer mocktail
- Clap the mint in your hands a few times to release the oils, then place the mint, salt and lime juice in your glass and gently press a couple of times with your muddler.
- Add ice to the glass, then pour in pineapple juice and ACV. Stir well.
- Add the ginger beer and stir gently - don’t disturb the bubbles too much!
- Garnish with pineapple and/or mint.
Experts Tips and Tricks
- Fresh lime juice is best if you can. I like to buy in-season limes and freeze their juice in small ice cube trays. That way, you always have fresh lime juice. If you’ve found an exceptional brand of bottled lime juice (please, do tell) or can’t find limes, bottled juice works too.
- If you don’t have a muddler, use the handle end of a wooden spoon or similar.
- The pinch of table salt really makes the flavors in this mocktail come alive - don’t skip it!
- Apple cider vinegar adds a little oomph to this mocktail too. You can also use some of my Homemade Fire Cider.
- This can be served in Moscow mule mugs if you prefer…it’s kind of like a pineapple Moscow mule!
Frequently Asked Questions
Ginger beer is a beer in name only. Traditionally it was an alcoholic drink, hence the name “beer”. These days it’s a non-alcoholic “soft drink” commonly sold at the grocery store.
Ginger beer is perfectly fine for children, however, some may find the taste a little intense. Even mixed with pineapple juice, the spicy ginger gives a little kick. I’ve known kids who can’t stand it, and I’ve known kids who can’t get enough.
Ginger beer is a bubbly soft drink with a spicy ginger flavor. While there are some beers that attempt to mimic a ginger flavor, ginger beer does use hops in the brewing process and so does not taste like beer.
Unlike traditional ginger beer, which is brewed, ginger ale is more similar to soda. It usually has a carbonated water base flavored with artificial ginger flavor and has a sweeter, more syrupy taste. Ginger ale is a better substitute for mocktails where ginger is a complementary rather than the prominent flavor.
More Ginger Based Mocktails
I hope you love this ginger beer mocktail recipe as much as I enjoyed creating it for you.
Ginger Beer Mocktail
Ingredients
- 6-8 mint leaves
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- ¾ cup ginger beer
- 1.2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (optional)
Video
Instructions
- Clap the mint in your hands a few times until they smell minty. This helps to release the oils.
- Add mint, salt and lime juice to your glass and gently press a few times with your muddler. If you don't have a muddler, use the handle end of a wooden spoon or similar.
- Add ice to the glass, then pour in the pineapple juice and apple cider vinegar (if using) and stir well.
- Add the ginger beer, stir gently and garnish with pineapple and/or mint.
Batch Instructions
Notes
- No muddler? No problem! Just use the handle end of a wooden spoon or similar.
- I highly recommend freshly squeezed lime juice for this recipe, but if you know of a good bottled option, that will work too.
Nutrition
NUTRITIONAL VALUES ARE ESTIMATES ONLY AND DO NOT INCLUDE CARBS FROM SUGAR ALCOHOLS.
Very refreshing! Thanks Nat
You're so welcome Lisa! Enjoy.
I've just made this for the third time in two weeks. So delicious!
Hi Ren, thanks so much for this feedback! So pleased you're enjoying.
Fantastic! I love the mint. This drink tasted like a mojito without the alcohol. The ginger beer and apple cider vinegar go really well together!
Hi Grace, I'm so pleased you enjoyed this one! I agree that ACV and ginger beer in mocktails is a perfect combination. Cheers!
Really like this! I do miss the booze a bit but the entire point is to cut back. If someone made this for me and told me it had vodka in it, I probably would not even notice it was not there.
Hi Brian,
Thanks so much for the feedback, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it! There is always an option to add a non-alc spirit if you like. Personally I enjoy them without. Thanks again.
Cheers
Nat
Hi!
Made this as an individual drink and it was fantastic! If I wanted to make this for a larger group, would you suggest mixing everything together for the guest to pour but have them add the ginger beer themselves? Or do you think if it’s consumed within a couple of hours, it’s fine to add the ginger beer in the beginning and have it all ready to go? Thanks!
Hi Lindsay, thanks so much for your kind words and my sincere apologies for the delay!
I think the ginger beer would be fine for an hour or so, but too much longer and it may go flat.
It might be best to mix the other ingredients in a pitcher and encourage your guests to top with ginger beer when served.
I hope this helps and cheers to you!
Nat
So yummy! Will be making this again.
I'm so happy to hear that Brooke, thanks for your support.
Cheers
Nat
This was really good!
Thanks Carol! I love this one too. Cheers, Nat