Red Bull Apple Ginger

Red Bull Apple Ginger is a flavored energy drink, so it belongs with the mixers rather than the gins. Its name points to two flavors, apple and ginger. Expect a crisp, fruit-led sweetness up front and a warm, spicy ginger note behind it, on top of the sweet-tart profile that flavored Red Bull drinks usually share. Because it is already sweet and fairly assertive, it works best where you want the mixer to supply flavor, not just fizz. Check the can for the exact serving size and ingredient list. With gin, it behaves more like a ginger-apple soda than a tonic. A London dry gin with a strong juniper and citrus-peel backbone tends to cut through the sweetness best. Pour 1.5 to 2 ounces of gin over ice, top with about 4 ounces of the drink, and add a squeeze of lime or lemon to sharpen the finish. The result resembles a Gin Buck, the old gin-and-ginger-beer highball, with apple standing in for part of the spice. A softer, floral or contemporary-style gin will sit more gently against the apple, and a very juniper-heavy gin will push the ginger forward. It is not a swap for tonic in a classic Gin & Tonic, and it would overpower a Negroni, Martini or Tom Collins, which depend on balance between spirit, vermouth, bitters or lemon. Use it in tall, long drinks and keep those classics as they are. For serving, chill the can well beforehand and use a highball or Collins glass filled to the top with ice. Cold ice slows dilution and keeps the carbonation lively. Pour the mixer down the side of the glass and stir once, gently. A thin apple fan, a lime wedge or a sprig of mint all suit the flavor. Garnish with a fresh slice of ginger if you want a stronger spice aroma.