A refreshing twist on classic lemonade brings summer vibes to any gathering. This Ginger Honey Lemonade Cocktail takes just 10 minutes to make. It combines fresh ginger, sweet honey, tart lemons, and your choice of vodka or gin.
The recipe creates a perfect balance of sweet and spicy notes. Fresh ginger adds a gentle warmth while honey smooths out the lemon’s tang. The result is a bright, zesty drink that works well for both casual parties and fancy events.
This drink can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. For a non-alcoholic version, simply skip the spirits and add sparkling water for a bubbly mocktail that everyone can enjoy.
Ginger Honey Lemonade Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Muddler
- Measuring jigger
- Citrus juicer
- Tall glass
- Ice cube tray
- Sharp knife
- Cutting Board
- Grater or microplane
Ingredients
- 2 oz fresh ginger peeled and grated
- 2 oz honey simple syrup 1:1 ratio honey to water
- 2 oz fresh lemon juice about 2 lemons
- 2 oz vodka or gin
- Club soda
- Ice cubes
- Lemon wheel and candied ginger for garnish
Instructions
- Make honey simple syrup by heating equal parts honey and water until combined. Let it cool.
- Peel and grate fresh ginger into the cocktail shaker.
- Add honey simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and spirit of choice to the shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake for 15-20 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with club soda and stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and a piece of candied ginger
Notes
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Tasting Notes
This refreshing cocktail greets the nose with bright citrus and warm ginger aromas. Sweet honey notes balance the tart lemon, creating a pleasant mix of flavors.
The first sip delivers a zesty punch of fresh lemon, followed by a gentle warmth from the ginger. Natural honey sweetness lingers on the tongue, making each sip smoother than the last.
Flavor Profile:
- Primary: Fresh lemon, spicy ginger
- Secondary: Sweet honey, floral notes
- Finish: Warm, clean, slightly sweet
A light fizz adds a nice texture to each sip. The drink stays well-balanced through its entire temperature range, though it’s best served cold over ice.
The ginger’s heat builds subtly with each sip, never becoming too intense. This makes the cocktail both refreshing and warming at the same time.
Suggested Garnishes:
- Lemon wheel
- Candied ginger
- Fresh mint sprig
- Crystallized honey rim
Substitute
You can swap out ingredients in this cocktail to match what you have on hand.
Replace ginger beer with ginger ale for a milder taste. Sprite or 7-Up work too, though they’ll make the drink sweeter.
Fresh lemon juice is best, but bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch.
Mix in 2-3 tablespoons per serving depending on your taste.
For a non-alcoholic version, skip the vodka and add extra ginger beer. You’ll still get a zesty, refreshing drink.
Alternative Sweeteners:
- Agave nectar
- Simple syrup
- Maple syrup
- Brown sugar
Don’t have fresh ginger? Use 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger instead.
The taste won’t be as bright, but it still adds that spicy kick.
Honey alternatives like date syrup or brown rice syrup work well too. Just adjust the amount to match your desired sweetness level.
For a different twist, try lime juice instead of lemon. This creates more of a Moscow Mule flavor profile.
