Bourbon and ginger ale is one of the most forgiving great drinks in American bartending: two ounces of bourbon over ice, topped with four to six ounces of cold ginger ale, stirred once. That 1:2 or 1:3 ratio is your starting point. Everything else is refinement.
The Recipe
The drink has no official name, which is part of its charm. Some call it a Bourbon and Ginger. Others just order it by its ingredients. Either way, the method is nearly impossible to get wrong.
What you need:
- 2 oz bourbon (your choice – more on that below)
- 4–6 oz ginger ale, chilled
- Ice – ideally large cubes or a single sphere that melts slowly
- Half a lime wedge, for squeezing and garnish
- Optional: 2 dashes of Angostura or aromatic bitters
Method:
Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour the bourbon over the ice so it chills immediately on contact. Add the ginger ale slowly, pouring down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation. Give it a single, gentle stir – just enough to combine, not enough to flatten the bubbles. Squeeze the lime wedge over the top and drop it in. If you're using bitters, add them before the ginger ale so they integrate evenly.
That's the whole recipe. The discipline here is restraint: resist the urge to over-stir, over-garnish, or over-think. The drink's appeal is its directness.
On the ratio
A 1:2 ratio (2 oz bourbon to 4 oz ginger ale) gives you a spirit-forward drink where the bourbon's caramel and vanilla notes come through clearly. A 1:3 ratio (2 oz to 6 oz) is lighter, more refreshing, and works well on a hot afternoon or when you want something lower in alcohol impact per sip. Neither is wrong. Start at 1:2 if you like whiskey; 1:3 if you're newer to bourbon or mixing for guests with varied preferences.
Why it works
Bourbon is a corn-forward American whiskey, legally required to be made from a grain bill of at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. That process produces characteristic notes of vanilla, caramel, toasted oak, and often a gentle sweetness that doesn't need much help. Ginger ale – especially a well-made, ginger-forward version – provides carbonation, brightness, and a spiced warmth that mirrors and extends the whiskey's own character rather than fighting it. The two belong together in the same way that tonic belongs with gin: the mixer isn't neutral, it's complementary.
One important caveat: most mass-market ginger ales contain very little real ginger. They're sweetened carbonated water with ginger flavoring, which means the spice punch you might expect simply isn't there. For this drink, it matters which ginger ale you choose.
The Best Bourbons for Ginger Ale
The short answer: you don't need an expensive bottle. This is a mixed drink, and the ginger ale will soften the sharper edges of any bourbon. That said, some bourbons work noticeably better than others.
What to look for: A bourbon with genuine sweetness and a moderate proof – somewhere in the 80–95 proof range – tends to integrate best. Very high-proof bourbons (110 proof and above) can overwhelm the ginger ale, particularly if you're using a lighter-bodied brand. Very cheap, thin bourbons can taste sharp or medicinal once the ginger ale's sweetness strips away any complexity.
A few categories worth considering (check each producer's current offerings and availability, as expressions change):
- Wheated bourbons – those made with wheat as the secondary grain instead of rye – tend to be softer and sweeter, which plays beautifully against ginger ale's spice. Lodi Distillery's releases and similar soft-mash expressions fall into this camp.
- High-rye bourbons add a peppery, spiced note that amplifies the ginger. If you want more bite in the glass, a rye-forward bourbon is the move.
- Bottled-in-bond expressions (100 proof, at least four years old, from a single distillery and distilling season) often offer excellent value and enough structure to hold their own against the mixer.
The best bourbon for this drink is ultimately the one you already enjoy neat or on the rocks. If you like it straight, you'll like it with ginger ale. If you're buying specifically for mixing, look for something in the mid-shelf range with a clear flavor identity – not the cheapest option, not a collectible bottle.
Bourbon vs. Whiskey and Ginger Ale: Does the Whiskey Type Matter?
Bourbon is a subset of American whiskey, and it's the most natural partner for ginger ale – but it's far from the only one.
Rye whiskey (at least 51% rye grain) is arguably even better suited to ginger ale. Rye's natural spice and dryness create a more complex, less sweet drink. If you find bourbon-and-ginger too sweet, try rye. It's a revelation.
Tennessee whiskey – which is essentially bourbon that passes through a charcoal-mellowing step before barreling – works nearly identically to bourbon in this context. The mellowing rounds out some of the sharper grain notes, producing a slightly smoother drink.
Blended Scotch whisky and ginger ale is a classic combination in Scotland and across the UK, often served simply as a "whisky and ginger." The smoky, malty notes of Scotch interact with ginger ale differently than bourbon does – earthier, less sweet, with more complexity in the finish. Use a blended Scotch rather than a fine single malt; the latter deserves to be appreciated on its own terms.
Irish whiskey is lighter and triple-distilled, which makes it pleasant but somewhat mild in this application. It works, but it lacks the structural backbone that makes bourbon or rye so satisfying.
The short answer to "is ginger ale good with whiskey?" is yes, across nearly every whiskey category – but bourbon and rye are the strongest choices.
Variations Worth Trying
The base recipe is a platform, not a prison.
Add bitters
Two dashes of Angostura bitters transform the drink into something closer to a proper cocktail. The bitters add complexity – clove, cinnamon, dried fruit – and bring a slight bitterness that keeps the sweetness in check. Some bartenders use orange bitters instead for a brighter, more citrus-forward profile. Either works; try both before settling.
Add lime
A squeeze of fresh lime is already in the base recipe, but you can lean into it further. Muddle two lime wedges in the glass before adding ice, and the drink moves closer to a whiskey mule territory – sharper, more acidic, more refreshing. Which brings up a natural question.
Can you make a Moscow Mule with ginger ale?
The classic Moscow Mule calls for vodka, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer – specifically ginger beer, which is fermented and carries genuine ginger heat. Ginger ale is a softer, sweeter substitute. You can absolutely make a mule-style drink with ginger ale instead of ginger beer, and many people prefer it. The result is milder and less spicy, but still pleasant. Use vodka if you want to stay close to the original; use bourbon or rye if you want more character in the glass. Just know you're making a variation, not the original – ginger beer and ginger ale are genuinely different products, and the distinction matters to the drink's flavor.
Bourbon lemonade ginger ale
A split mixer – half lemonade, half ginger ale – over bourbon is a summer drink worth knowing. The lemonade adds tartness and body; the ginger ale keeps it light and sparkling. Use a ratio of roughly 1.5 oz bourbon to 2 oz lemonade to 3 oz ginger ale. Fresh-squeezed lemonade is noticeably better here than bottled. The result sits somewhere between a whiskey sour and a bourbon-and-ginger, with its own distinct identity.
Does gin go with ginger ale?
Yes, gin and ginger ale is an underrated combination. Gin's botanical complexity – particularly in London Dry styles with prominent juniper – pairs well with ginger ale's spice in a way that's more interesting than the more common gin and tonic. It's lighter and sweeter than a gin-ginger beer combination, which suits certain gins and certain moods. Worth experimenting with.
Is vodka good with ginger ale?
Vodka and ginger ale works fine as a light, easy drink. Vodka's neutrality means the ginger ale's character dominates. It's pleasant, simple, and lower in perceived complexity than bourbon-and-ginger – which is sometimes exactly what you want. Use a ginger ale with genuine ginger character, since there's less going on from the spirit side to compensate for a bland mixer.
Is tequila and ginger ale good?
Tequila – particularly a blanco or reposado – and ginger ale is a legitimately good combination that doesn't get enough attention. The agave character of tequila interacts with ginger's spice in an interesting way, especially with a squeeze of lime. It won't replace a proper margarita or a tequila-ginger beer combination, but as a low-effort highball it's well above average. Reposado tequila, with its added oak notes, works especially well.
A Note on Drinking Responsibly
This drink is easy to make and easy to drink, which means it's easy to have more than you intended. A standard 2 oz pour of 80-proof bourbon contains roughly the same alcohol as a standard glass of wine or a 12 oz beer – worth keeping in mind when you're pouring freely at home, where measures tend to drift generous.
Bourbon and ginger ale is a drink for adults of legal drinking age (21+ in the United States). Enjoy it at your own pace, with food if you're having more than one, and never before driving. If you have questions about alcohol and your health, a clinician is the right person to ask – not a drinks website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ratio of bourbon to ginger ale?
Start with 2 oz bourbon to 4 oz ginger ale (1:2) for a spirit-forward drink, or 2 oz to 6 oz (1:3) for something lighter. Adjust from there based on your bourbon and your ginger ale's intensity.
What is the best ginger ale for bourbon?
A ginger ale with real ginger and genuine spice character will outperform a standard mass-market brand. Several craft and premium ginger ales – including Fever-Tree, Q Mixers, and Bundaberg – use actual ginger and deliver noticeably more flavor. Check the ingredient list: if "ginger" or "ginger extract" appears near the top, you're in better shape than a product relying entirely on "natural flavors."
Is ginger ale good with whiskey?
Yes. Ginger ale's carbonation and spiced sweetness complement the caramel, vanilla, and oak notes common to American whiskeys. Bourbon and rye are the strongest pairings; Scotch and Irish whiskey also work well in their own ways.
What is the best whiskey to mix with ginger ale?
For most people, a mid-shelf bourbon or rye in the 80–100 proof range offers the best balance of flavor and value. High-rye bourbons add pepper and spice; wheated bourbons add softness and sweetness. Tennessee whiskey and blended Scotch are also reliable choices.
Can you use ginger ale instead of ginger beer in a Moscow Mule?
You can, but the result is a variation rather than the original. Ginger beer is fermented and carries more heat and less sweetness; ginger ale is milder and sweeter. The ginger ale version is a pleasant drink – just not a traditional Moscow Mule.
Does vodka go with ginger ale?
Yes. Vodka and ginger ale is a simple, light highball. Because vodka is neutral, the quality and character of the ginger ale matters more than it does in a bourbon-and-ginger.
Is tequila and ginger ale good?
It is, particularly with a reposado tequila and a squeeze of lime. The agave and oak notes in reposado interact well with ginger's spice. It's an easy, underused combination.
Does gin go with ginger ale?
Yes. London Dry gin and ginger ale is a pleasant, slightly sweet highball. The juniper and botanical notes in gin hold up well against ginger ale's character. It's lighter than gin-and-ginger beer but has its own appeal.
What is a bourbon lemonade ginger ale?
A split-mixer drink using bourbon, fresh lemonade, and ginger ale in roughly equal parts (with slightly less bourbon). The lemonade adds tartness and body; the ginger ale provides lift and spice. It's a useful variation for summer or for guests who find straight bourbon-and-ginger too sweet or too spirit-forward.
Is this drink the same as a Kentucky Mule?
A Kentucky Mule is typically made with bourbon and ginger beer (not ginger ale), plus lime – closely following the Moscow Mule template but substituting bourbon for vodka. A bourbon-and-ginger-ale highball is simpler and sweeter. Both are good; they're distinct drinks.
