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    Home » Recipes » Cocktail Recipes

    Light and Fizzy Bourbon Ginger Cocktail

    Modified: Jun 15, 2025 · Published: Aug 31, 2021 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    Bourbon and Ginger Cocktail.

    Bourbon drinks have a reputation of being strong cocktails reserved for the end of the evening. But they don’t have to be! This Bourbon Ginger Cocktail recipe uses ginger and lemon to create a light and fizzy bourbon drink that’s perfect for sipping during happy hour. 

    Bourbon Ginger Cocktail

    This cocktail is a delightful blend of bold and refreshing flavors, making it an excellent choice for those new to bourbon or looking to explore its versatility. The combination of ginger liqueur and lemon juice adds a zesty brightness that balances the warmth of the bourbon, while the brown sugar syrup introduces a subtle sweetness and depth.

    This is a great drink to serve to someone without a lot of experience drinking bourbon or who’s never had a bourbon cocktail beyond an Old Fashioned. I often serve this drink to people who tell me they don't like bourbon. Typically they've never had a drink where bourbon wasn't the star, and this cocktail does a great job of blending flavors.

    What's in a Bourbon Ginger Cocktail

    Ingredients for bourbon ginger cocktails.
    • Bourbon - Choose your favorite bourbon for this recipe. Or create a twist on this drink with some homemade peach infused bourbon.
    • Ginger liqueur - This liqueur add both sweet and big ginger flavor to this cocktail.
    • Brown sugar syrup - Easily made with 2 ingredients, brown sugar syrup add sweetness and a subtle smokiness to the drink.
    • Lemon - Fresh lemon juice is best in any cocktail. You'll need about half of a lemon for this recipe. Before cutting it, give your lemon a roll on the counter while pressing down on it to release all of its juice and make it easier to squeeze.
    • Ginger ale or Ginger beer - This brings the fizz! Choose ginger ale for a more subtle ginger flavor or ginger beer to really up the ginger.

    How to Make a Bourbon and Ginger Cocktail

    Combine bourbon, ginger liqueur, lemon juice, and brown sugar syrup in a mixing glass filled with ice. (Don't have a mixing glass? Use a wide mouth pint jar.)

    Pouring bourbon into a mixing glass full of ice

    Stir the mixture with the ice cubes for 5-10 seconds to chill it, then strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. 

    Pouring the mixed drink into a rocks glass full of ice.

    Top with ginger ale and enjoy!

    Pouring ginger ale on the top of the bourbon cocktail.
    Bourbon Ginger Cocktail

    Light and Fizzy Bourbon Ginger Cocktail

    Katy McAvoy
    This Bourbon Ginger Cocktail recipe uses ginger ale and lemon to create a light and fizzy bourbon drink that’s perfect for sipping during happy hour.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Servings 1 cocktail

    Equipment

    • Hawthorne Cocktail Strainer
    • Mixing Glass
    • Rocks Glasses
    • Jigger Measure

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 oz bourbon
    • 1 oz ginger liqueur
    • 0.5 oz lemon juice fresh squeezed
    • 0.5 oz brown sugar syrup
    • 1 oz ginger ale

    Instructions
     

    • Combine bourbon, ginger liqueur, lemon juice, and brown sugar syrup in a mixing glass filled with ice. 
      2 oz bourbon, 1 oz ginger liqueur, 0.5 oz lemon juice, 0.5 oz brown sugar syrup
    • Stir the mixture with the ice for 5-10 seconds to chill it. 
    • Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. 
    • Top with ginger ale. 
      1 oz ginger ale
    • Enjoy! 

    Video

    Notes

    Be sure to use ginger ALE, not ginger beer! 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 286kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.03gSaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 11mgPotassium: 25mgFiber: 0.04gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    Don't Miss These Bourbon Cocktails

    Looking for more bourbon cocktails? Try a blueberry citrus julep, a refreshing Spiked Arnold Palmer, a frothy ginger bourbon sour, a peach old fashioned, an easy Kentucky mule, or my super popular coffee old fashioned.

    Blueberry Citrus Julep
    Blueberry Citrus Julep
    Coffee Old Fashioned
    Coffee Old Fashioned

    Happy Hour Snack Pairings

    Want something delicious to go with your Bourbon Ginger cocktails? Try something salty like homemade potato chips with roasted red pepper dip, or a plate of bacon wrapped dates.

    A plate of bacon wrapped dates.
    Bacon Wrapped Dates
    Homemade Potato Chips
    Homemade Potato Chips

    I love when you share my recipes!

    158 shares

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour. Since 2017, she's been crafting recipes for easy-to-make cocktails and delicious snacks while sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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