Gin and Ginger Ale Cocktail to Celebrate Fall, the Best Season of the Year

Gin and Ginger Ale Cocktail

My easy Gin and Ginger Ale cocktail recipe stirs things up. It’s made with just two ingredients (plus ice and cinnamon sticks for garnish).

Today I am making a fall Gin & Ginger Ale–I’m using my favorite Tanqueray Gin. Tanq’s botanical notes (juniper, coriander, angelica, licorice)–and subtle citrus flavors–play well with slightly spicy ginger ale in the fall.

What is a Gin and Ginger Ale?

A Gin and Ginger Ale cocktail is commonly known as a Gin Buck. This drink is typically served in a highball glass, over ice–and garnished with a lemon wedge. I add a cinnamon stick for garnish in the fall.

As you may know, I LOVE lemons, so when I make this drink I add extra lemon juice.

Related: Related: 40+ Ginger Ale Cocktails (Easy Recipes)

🧊 Best served very cold

The key to a good Gin and Ginger Ale cocktail is to serve it really cold. There are a few things I do to accomplish that, starting with storing my gin in the freezer. Because of the alcohol content, gin won’t freeze.

Other ways I make my cocktail cold:

  • I mix the cold ingredients with ice cubes. This will dilute the drink slightly as the ice melts in the glass, but will keep it cold.
  • I serve it in a chilled glass. See more below.

Chilling your glass quickly

To chill my glass fast, I fill it with ice and cold water–and let it sit for a minute while I gather ingredients and mix my drink.

I toss out the ice and water before pouring into the chilled glass and enjoy a drink that stays colder longer.

Gin and Ginger Ale tips

Here’s how I take this drink to the next level!

  • The 1:4 pour creates a Gin and Ginger Ale cocktail. To make this in the average 10 oz highball glass, pour 1.5 oz of gin and 6 oz of ginger ale over ice!
  • Any gin is perfect. A budget or well gin works in my opinion!
  • I recommend putting the gin in the freezer for ultimate chill—I find that this helps the ice melt slower too.
  • I always make sure everything is ice cold (even the glass)
  • Don’t skimp on the garnish!
  • Stir don’t shake. Stir gently rather than shake–to keep carbonation of the ginger ale, ensuring a refreshing drink.
  • Don’t use crushed ice. Crushed ice melts faster and dilutes your drink. Ice cubes will keep your drink colder longer.
  • I used Tanqueray London Dry Gin. If you prefer another gin variant, you do you. I recommend Tanqueray No. TEN or Rangpur– which also play well with ginger ale!

The ginger ale I use

This drink really shines with QMixers or Boylan’s ginger ale brands. I also like using Canada Dry or Schweppes–which are easier to find!

You can use any ginger ale brand for a gin and Ginger Ale. The ginger ale is strong taste is strong and covers gin’s subtle alcohol taste.

When to serve Gin and Ginger Ale

  • Before dinner drink (aperitif)
  • Fall drink (with an apple slice or cinnamon stick garnish)
  • Afternoon drink
  • Dinner parties
  • Happy hour

Fall Gin and Ginger Ale Recipe

While I am perfectly happy just drinking a gin and ginger ale, you know I like to fancy things up just a bit.

So that’s exactly what I did with this drink. I took a classic combination and added a couple of cinnamon sticks and an anise star to make it a little more fall-friendly.

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Other great gin and ginger ale cocktails

I love a great cocktail. Here are a few of my favorites:

Gin and Ginger Ale FAQs

How strong is the Gin and Ginger Ale?

Gin is by no means a light spirit. That’s why it is served short and poured at 1 oz gin to 4 oz ginger ale. A Gin and Ginger Ale mixed drink ​weighs in at 43.1% percent ABV (62 proof). It’s STRONG.

Where is Tanqueray produced?

Tanqueray has been crafted in Scotland at the Cameronbridge Distillery since the 1830s, continuing the legacy of Charles Tanqueray.

Where was ginger ale invented?

Ginger ale (sweet and non-alcoholic) was invented in Belfast, Ireland in the 1850s. It evolved from ginger beer (spicier) which originated in Yorkshire, England in the mid-18th century.

What are the best gins to mix with ginger ale?

Besides Tanqueray London Dry Gin, here are other citrus note Tanqs that play well with ginger ale: Tanqueray No. TEN, Tanqueray Rangpur, and Tanqueray Sevilla Orange.

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