Canada Dry Ginger Ale

Canada Dry Ginger Ale is a carbonated ginger-flavored soft drink sold here in the mixers aisle. It is a mixer, not a spirit, so it has no botanical or juniper profile. Ginger ales in this style usually taste lightly sweet, with a mild, rounded ginger note and fine, lively bubbles. They are far less sharp and spicy than a ginger beer. That restraint is why bartenders use it: it adds fizz and a gentle ginger lift without covering what is in the glass. The classic use is a highball. Fill a tall glass with plenty of ice, add two ounces of whiskey, then top with about four ounces of ginger ale, or roughly a one-to-two ratio. Pour slowly down the side of the glass or along a bar spoon to keep the carbonation. Rye, bourbon, and Canadian whisky all suit this drink, and the Rye and Ginger is a well-known Canadian-style order. Dark rum makes a Cuba Libre-style variation with a squeeze of lime. Vodka with ginger ale and lime gives a lighter, cleaner drink. Brandy and ginger ale is another old pairing. Serve it well chilled, and open the bottle or can only when you are ready to pour, since the fizz fades quickly. A highball or Collins glass works best because the narrow shape slows the loss of bubbles. Fresh lime or lemon wedges, or a thin slice of fresh ginger, make the usual garnishes. Skip a stir, or give it one gentle turn with a bar spoon. On its own over ice, ginger ale also goes with salty or fried food like pretzels, fries, and chicken, and it makes a simple non-alcoholic spritzer topped with a splash of cranberry or orange juice.