Bourbon and Ginger Ale — The Perfect Highball Recipe

Key Takeaways

• Choose a smooth, slightly sweet bourbon for your highball. A wheated bourbon like Mary Dowling Winter Wheat pairs beautifully with ginger’s spice.
• Ginger ale and ginger beer create very different drinks. Ginger ale delivers a mellow, bubbly sip; ginger beer adds a bold, spicy kick similar to a Kentucky Mule.
• Temperature is everything. Use plenty of fresh ice in a chilled glass to keep your highball crisp, refreshing, and perfectly diluted from the first sip to the last.

Few cocktails are as effortlessly satisfying as a bourbon and ginger ale. It’s a two-ingredient classic that takes about thirty seconds to build but delivers the kind of layered, balanced flavor that keeps you coming back. The warm caramel and vanilla notes of good bourbon meet the bright, slightly sweet fizz of ginger, and the result is a drink that works at a backyard barbecue just as well as it does at a high-end cocktail bar.

This is the kind of recipe that rewards a little thought about its ingredients. Swap ginger ale for ginger beer, and you’ve got something entirely different, a bolder, spicier sipper with the DNA of a Kentucky Mule. This guide covers both versions, the best bourbons for the job, and the garnish tricks that turn a simple pour into something truly impressive.

What Makes Bourbon and Ginger Such a Perfect Pair

This isn’t an accident of flavor. There’s real chemistry behind why bourbon and ginger complement each other so well. Bourbon, especially one aged in charred oak barrels, develops complex notes of vanilla, caramel, toasted oak, and baking spice. Ginger, whether in ale or beer form, brings a bright, zingy warmth that cuts through that richness without overwhelming it.

The carbonation also plays a critical role. The bubbles lift the bourbon’s heavier notes off the palate, making the drink feel lighter and more refreshing. It’s the same principle behind a great bourbon cocktail: you’re not masking the whiskey, you’re giving it a stage. The sweetness in ginger ale softens bourbon’s alcohol edge, while the ginger’s natural spice echoes the oak-derived baking spice notes already present in the whiskey. It’s complementary flavors building on each other rather than competing.

The Classic Bourbon and Ginger Ale Highball

This is the version most people know and love. It’s mellow, approachable, and incredibly easy to make well. The highball format (spirit plus mixer, served tall over ice) is one of the oldest cocktail constructions for a reason: it works.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon (we recommend Mary Dowling Winter Wheat Bourbon)
• 4-5 oz quality ginger ale, chilled
• Fresh lime wheel or wedge
• Ice (large cubes or fresh cubed ice)

Instructions

1. Chill your glass. Fill a tall highball glass with ice and let it sit for 30 seconds while you gather ingredients. Dump the melted water before building the drink.
2. Add fresh ice. Fill the glass to the top with clean ice cubes. Larger cubes melt slower and keep the drink from getting watery.
3. Pour the bourbon. Add 2 oz of bourbon directly over the ice.
4. Top with ginger ale. Pour chilled ginger ale slowly down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation. Fill to about a half inch from the top.
5. Stir gently. Give it one or two gentle stirs with a bar spoon or straw. Over-stirring releases too much carbonation.
6. Garnish and serve. Add a fresh lime wheel or wedge on the rim.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Highball

• Ratio matters. Start with a 1:2 or 1:2.5 bourbon-to-mixer ratio. You want to taste the whiskey, not just the ginger ale.
• Use cold ingredients. Cold ginger ale, cold glass, fresh ice. Temperature control is the difference between a crisp highball and a flat, warm disappointment.
• Skip the bargain ginger ale. Quality ginger ale with real ginger extract (look for brands like Fever-Tree or Q Mixers) has actual ginger flavor, not just sugar and carbonation.

Bourbon and Ginger Beer: The Spicier Cousin

Swap ginger ale for ginger beer and the drink transforms. Ginger beer is brewed or fermented, giving it a much more aggressive ginger bite, less sweetness, and a cloudier, more complex flavor. This version is essentially a riff on the Kentucky Mule, just served in a highball glass instead of a copper mug.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon (try Mary Dowling Tequila Barrel Finish for extra complexity)
• 4 oz spicy ginger beer, chilled
• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
• Lime wedge and fresh mint for garnish
• Ice

Instructions

1. Squeeze the lime. Add 0.5 oz of fresh lime juice to the bottom of a chilled highball glass or copper mug.
2. Add bourbon. Pour 2 oz of bourbon over the lime juice.
3. Fill with ice. Pack the glass with ice cubes.
4. Top with ginger beer. Pour ginger beer slowly over the ice. Leave a little room at the top.
5. Stir once. One gentle stir to integrate. Don’t over-mix.
6. Garnish. Add a lime wedge and a sprig of fresh mint. Give the mint a light slap between your palms before adding it to release the aromatic oils.

Ginger Ale vs. Ginger Beer: What’s the Difference?

Feature	Ginger Ale	Ginger Beer
Flavor	Mild, sweet, subtle ginger	Bold, spicy, assertive ginger
Carbonation	Light, crisp bubbles	Slightly less carbonated, fuller body
Sweetness	Sweeter	Drier, less sweet
Best For	Easy-drinking, casual sipping	Spicy, bold cocktails
Pairs With	Smooth, wheated bourbons	High-rye and cask strength bourbons

Best Bourbons for a Ginger Highball

Not every bourbon works equally well here. You want something with enough character to stand up to the ginger, but smooth enough that the drink stays balanced and refreshing. Here are our recommendations:

Mary Dowling Winter Wheat Bourbon

This is our top pick for the classic bourbon and ginger ale highball. As a wheated bourbon, it brings a soft, approachable sweetness with notes of vanilla, honey, and toasted grain from its toasted barrel finish. These flavors integrate seamlessly with ginger ale’s gentle sweetness. The wheat-forward mash bill keeps the finish smooth and round rather than hot. Order Mary Dowling Winter Wheat online.

Mary Dowling Tequila Barrel Finish

For the ginger beer version, reach for this one. The high-rye mash bill adds a peppery backbone that matches ginger beer’s spice, while the reposado tequila barrel finish introduces subtle agave and citrus notes that make the lime garnish sing. It’s a more adventurous choice that creates a truly unique highball. Try it yourself.

Other Great Options

• Wheated bourbons (for ginger ale): Their softer, sweeter profile blends beautifully without competing
• High-rye bourbons (for ginger beer): The spice-on-spice combination creates an assertive, flavorful cocktail
• Cask strength bourbons like Mary Dowling Double Oak Cask Strength (for either): The higher proof cuts through the mixer, keeping the bourbon flavor front and center. Just reduce the pour to 1.5 oz

Garnish Tips and Variations

A great garnish does more than look pretty. It adds aroma and subtle flavor that elevates the entire drinking experience. Here are some ideas that go beyond the standard lime wedge:

Classic Garnishes

• Lime wheel or wedge: The standard for a reason. Citrus brightens everything
• Lemon twist: For a slightly different citrus note. Express the oils over the drink before dropping it in
• Fresh ginger coin: Slice a thin round of fresh ginger and float it. It adds visual appeal and a subtle aromatic kick

Elevated Garnishes

• Candied ginger: Adds sweetness and a concentrated ginger punch on the rim
• Fresh mint sprig: Essential for the ginger beer version. Gives it that Kentucky Mule energy
• Rosemary sprig: An unexpected herbal note that works beautifully with bourbon’s oak character
• Orange peel: Complements the caramel and vanilla notes in wheated bourbons

Fun Variations to Try

• Honey Bourbon Ginger: Add 0.5 oz of honey syrup for a sweeter, richer version
• Spiced Bourbon Ginger: Muddle a few slices of fresh jalapeño in the glass before building the drink
• Bourbon Ginger Smash: Muddle fresh mint and lime, add bourbon, top with ginger ale. A hybrid of a bourbon smash and a highball
• Apple Bourbon Ginger: Add 1 oz of fresh apple cider. Perfect for fall sipping
• Cranberry Bourbon Ginger: Splash in 0.5 oz of cranberry juice for a holiday-ready version

Tips for Batching Bourbon Ginger Cocktails

This is one of the easiest cocktails to batch for a party, which is part of what makes it such a crowd-pleaser. The key is to add the ginger ale or ginger beer at the last minute to keep the fizz alive.

Batch Recipe (Serves 8)

• 16 oz (2 cups) bourbon
• 4 oz (0.5 cup) fresh lime juice
• 2 oz (0.25 cup) simple syrup (optional, for a slightly sweeter version)
• 32 oz (4 cups) ginger ale or ginger beer, chilled

Method

1. Combine bourbon, lime juice, and simple syrup in a large pitcher. Refrigerate until serving time
2. When ready to serve, add ice to each glass, pour the bourbon-lime mixture, and top with ginger ale or ginger beer
3. Garnish each glass with a lime wheel

This batch approach also works perfectly for a bourbon cocktail party where you’re serving multiple drink options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best bourbon for bourbon and ginger ale?

A smooth, slightly sweet bourbon works best. Wheated bourbons like Mary Dowling Winter Wheat are ideal because their soft vanilla and honey notes complement ginger ale’s sweetness without creating a harsh finish. Avoid overly smoky or heavily oaked bourbons, as they can clash with the ginger’s brightness.

Is bourbon and ginger beer the same as a Kentucky Mule?

Nearly. A Kentucky Mule is traditionally made with bourbon, ginger beer, and lime juice, served in a copper mug. A bourbon and ginger beer highball is the same flavor combination served in a tall glass. The copper mug keeps the drink colder for longer, but the taste is essentially identical.

Should I use ginger ale or ginger beer with bourbon?

It depends on your taste. Ginger ale creates a smoother, sweeter drink that’s great for casual sipping and cocktail beginners. Ginger beer makes a bolder, spicier cocktail that better showcases the bourbon’s character. Try both and decide which you prefer.

What is the best ratio of bourbon to ginger ale?

Start with 1:2 (two parts ginger ale to one part bourbon) and adjust to taste. If you want to taste more whiskey, go with 1:1.5. If you prefer a lighter, more refreshing drink, go up to 1:3. The key is to always be able to taste the bourbon.

Can I make bourbon and ginger ale ahead of time?

You can pre-mix the bourbon and lime juice, but always add the ginger ale or ginger beer at the last minute. Carbonation fades quickly once mixed, and a flat bourbon ginger is a sad bourbon ginger.

What food pairs well with a bourbon ginger highball?

The drink’s ginger spice and bourbon sweetness pair brilliantly with grilled meats, smoked barbecue, spicy Asian dishes, fried chicken, and sharp aged cheeses. It’s also a fantastic brunch cocktail alongside eggs Benedict or a savory hash.

Ready to mix your own bourbon and ginger highball? Order Mary Dowling bourbon online or find a store near you to get started.