[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]So close in their imagery nowadays, so far in their own history: Ginger Beer and and Ginger Ale are having a huge coming back, not only in mixology: but what is their story?

Ginger Beer for dummies

The United Kingdom is the birthplace of Ginger Beer, made since the XVIII Century. Coming after a fermentation process, Ginger Beer is “scientifically speaking” a true beer indeed.

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Ginger Beer: the ingredients

The Ginger Beer ingredients are: water, Ginger of course, yeast and sugar; eventually juniper, licorice and chilli as well. The fermentation process was ignited in glazed terracotta containers, hermetically sealed to sustain the natural production of fermentation gas. The outcome was a completely natural drink with a light amount of alcohol: even better, at the time, of water, as “sanitized” by the fermentation process and the presence of ginger. Home brewed, the production escalated to mass: in 1935 UK had more than 3000 Ginger Beer breweries!

... What about Ginger Ale then?

Ginger Ale comes later: Dottor Thomas Cantrell patented the American version of the Ginger drink. An easier recipe, with no fermentation and carbon dioxide addition. The Ginger drinks became very popular during Prohibition to hide the presence of alcohol!

Ginger Beer & cocktails: the Moscow Mule

Ginger Beer is part of the very popular long drink cocktail Moscow Mule. Ingredients and original IBA recipe:

• 4,5cl / 2oz Vodka
• 12cl / 3oz Ginger beer
• 0,5cl / 0.5oz fresh lime juice
• 1 twist of lime

The Moscow Mule cocktail is served in a copper mug (or an old fashioned glass) after mixing all the ingredients along with ice ground and garnished with lime.

The Mule variations!

Ginger Beer pairs many other spirits:

• Mexican Mule with Tequila;
• American Mule with Bourbon;
• Jamaican Mule with Rum;
• Irish Mule with Irish Whiskey.

Cucumber or watermelon dices can add a summerish, fresh note.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]