Goslings Ginger Beer

Goslings Ginger Beer is a mixer, not a gin, so this copy is written for what it is: a ginger-forward soda made for highballs. Ginger beers in this style usually taste spicier and less sweet than ordinary ginger ale, with a peppery heat at the back of the throat and a cloudy, bolder ginger character. Expect more bite than a pale dry ginger ale gives. Check the label for the exact sweetness, carbonation level and ingredients, since this listing doesn't state them. Most buyers pick it up for the Dark and Stormy, which is dark rum over ginger beer with a lime wedge. Goslings is the brand traditionally associated with that drink, and a dark, molasses-leaning rum suits the spice well. It also works as the base of a Moscow Mule, with vodka, lime juice and ginger beer in a copper mug or a highball glass. A Kentucky Mule swaps in bourbon, and a London Mule uses gin. The ginger is assertive enough to stand up to a juniper-heavy gin without being buried by it. Serve it cold and keep it sealed until the moment you pour. Fill a highball or copper mug with plenty of firm ice, add 1.5 to 2 ounces of spirit, then top with roughly three to four ounces of ginger beer. Pour slowly down the side of the glass or over a bar spoon to keep the carbonation. A lime wedge squeezed in and dropped over the ice is the standard garnish, and a thin slice of fresh ginger or a mint sprig adds aroma. On its own over ice with lime, it also works as a non-alcoholic drink, and it pairs well with grilled meats, jerk-style dishes and salty snacks.