Best ginger ales/brews for bourbon/rye

[smokinjoe]

Vernor's is a unique Ginger Ale from the Michigan area - I don't know that you can find it outside of the great lakes area, but it's a good one, if you want to try something different.

I'm looking forward to trying the Blenheim's, though - love the big ginger burn!

Thanks for the mention of Vernor's, Tim. I've loved it for years. My grandpa Leo and grandma Mary used to bring it to us when when they visited us when we were kids. We get it now, down here in Georgia, but haven't picked it up in some time. Oddly, I've never tried it with bourbon. Maybe, I'll try it later this week.

[cowdery]

Vernor's is here in Chicago. It seems to be well-distributed, at least here in the Midwest. It has a very unusual flavor.

Seagram's ginger ale has been on a big push here in Chicago. It's pretty similar to Canada Dry, but attractive at 99 cents for a 2-liter.

[StraightNoChaser]

Damn, $.99?? I've been paying nearly $2 for a 2L of Seagrams!!!

[StraightNoChaser]

Give this a try.....

Ginger Syrup
½ cup sugar (fine turbinado)
½ cup water
¼ lb. fresh ginger root (peeled and finely grated)
In a small saucepan bring the sugar, water, and ginger to a boil. Turn off the heat, and allow to steep and cool for one hour. Strain off the ginger pieces, and reserve the syrup.


Add a bit of seltzer and the bourbon of your choice. I don't peel my ginger and find that adds a bit more zip. Use the freshest ginger you can find as I feel it loses heat as it gets older....

Sounds good, almost like my friends fresh ginger tea

[unclebunk]

Thanks for the mention of Vernor's, Tim. I've loved it for years. My grandpa Leo and grandma Mary used to bring it to us when when they visited us when we were kids. We get it now, down here in Georgia, but haven't picked it up in some time. Oddly, I've never tried it with bourbon. Maybe, I'll try it later this week.

Vernor's is pretty much all I buy, unless I'm out and can't find it at a particular store. I've never mixed it with bourbon but often have it with Rittenhouse Rye and find it delicious. Give it a spin!

[Jono]

Ralfy mentions this soft drink in his recent vlog #222:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irn-Bru

Irn-Bru..."iron brew"

Supposedly it is distributed world wide but probably concentrated in Scottish ex-pat areas. I cannot say that I have seen it around my area and if I did I would not have had a clue as to what it was...apparently it is a cinnamon rose water ginger citrus type of soda.

" Compliant Irn-Bru is solely imported by Great Scot International in Charlotte, North Carolina, who supplies distributors and retailers throughout the US. It is only supplied in 500 mL."

[smokinjoe]

Vernor's is pretty much all I buy, unless I'm out and can't find it at a particular store. I've never mixed it with bourbon but often have it with Rittenhouse Rye and find it delicious. Give it a spin!

Thanks, Hank. I will pick up some tomorrow. No RBIB on tap, so I'll go with Triple R

[unclebunk]

Thanks, Hank. I will pick up some tomorrow. No RBIB on tap, so I'll go with Triple R

I think you'll enjoy the combination, Joe. The Vernor's really does marry well with rye whiskey IMO. Might have to join you on that ginger ale and rye today while enjoying the last genuinely warm day we're supposed to have around here before things turn rainy and cold.

[SMOWK]

With all of the ginger talk and experimentation lately, I came across a "Powell & Mahoney Limited 1881 Original Recipe Old BallyCastle Ginger Micro Batch All-Natural Cocktail Mixer." Slides right off the tongue...

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Organic Sugar, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Natural Ginger Flavor, Ginger Extract, Fennel Extract, Elderflower Extract, Milk Thistle Extract, Caramel Color.

Going with me to my fathers house tonight. The girlfriend teaches GED classes tonight, and my mom is going to her bowling league. Just two guys hanging out with Bourbon, Ginger, and a homemade pizza. I'll report back later.

http://powellandmahoney.com/ginger.html

[SMOWK]

I must say, highly recommended. SPICY, not as sweet as I assumed. A hint of cinnamon (could've been the ogd114). I will definitely buy more of this.