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

This refreshing cocktail combines fresh ginger, honey, and lemon for a sweet and spicy drink perfect for warm days or special occasions.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

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

The cocktail can be made non-alcoholic by omitting the spirits and adding extra club soda.

Store leftover honey simple syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Fresh ginger works best, but ground ginger can be used in a pinch. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and adjust to taste.

Double strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove ginger pulp for a smoother drink.

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:

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.

Ginger Honey Lemonade Cocktail Recipe