The Easiest Fall Cocktail: Bourbon + Ginger Beer
Looking for a cocktail that’s effortless and elegant? The Bourbon Highball with Ginger Beer is a two-ingredient winner: smooth bourbon and zesty, chilled ginger beer. It’s quick to make, beautifully amber in color, and perfect for cozy fall evenings, casual gatherings, or a quiet moment at home.
Simple ingredients, big flavor — here’s how.
This highball is a built drink, so there’s no shaker required. Fill a tall glass with plenty of cubed ice, pour in your favorite bourbon, top with chilled ginger beer, and finish with a lemon slice for brightness. I like using a mid-range bourbon with soft vanilla or caramel notes because the ginger beer brings the spice and fizz. The result is a refreshing, balanced drink that feels both cozy and light.
🎥 Video
🥘 Ingredients
- Bourbon
- Choose a smooth, mellow bourbon. A mid-range bottle with vanilla or caramel notes works well alongside ginger beer’s spice.
- Ginger Beer
- Ginger beer gives the drink its bold, spicy sparkle—spicier and more robust than ginger ale. Use a high-quality non-alcoholic ginger beer for best results.
- Cubed Ice
- Plenty of cubed ice chills the drink quickly and slows dilution. Avoid crushed ice for this cocktail.
- Lemon Slice (Garnish)
- A lemon slice adds bright acidity and looks inviting; an orange slice is a nice alternative.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1
Fill a tall highball glass to the top with cubed ice.
Step 2
Pour your bourbon over the ice—no shaker needed.
Step 3
Slowly top with chilled ginger beer so the fizz mingles with the bourbon.
Step 4
Garnish with a lemon slice and serve immediately.
Step 5
Enjoy—this bright, fizzy cocktail is meant to be sipped and savored.
🥳 Batch version (Serves 6)
Ingredients
- 9 oz (270 ml) bourbon
- 18 oz (540 ml) chilled ginger beer
- 6 lemon slices, for garnish
- Cubed ice
Instructions
- Fill a large pitcher halfway with cubed ice.
- Add the bourbon.
- Slowly pour in the ginger beer and stir gently to keep the fizz.
- Pour into six glasses filled with fresh ice and garnish with lemon slices just before serving.
🍓 Substitutions & Variations
- No ginger beer?
- Use ginger ale for a milder, sweeter drink. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon to lift the flavors.
- Want more spice?
- Add a dash of bitters or a thin slice of fresh ginger to the glass before pouring for extra warmth and aroma.
- Make it seasonal
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick or a sprig of rosemary for a cozy fall touch.
🍽 Equipment
- Highball or serving glass
- Measuring tools / jigger
- Sharp knife and cutting board
🙋🏻 FAQ
Ginger beer is spicier and less sweet than ginger ale. For a bold, zesty cocktail choose ginger beer; ginger ale works if you prefer a lighter, sweeter drink.
Yes. Replace bourbon with apple juice or a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative, then top with ginger beer for a similarly warming, fizzy drink.
Other Recipes for You to Try
- Dark and Stormy Cocktail
- Apple Cider Moscow Mule
- Kraken Rum and Ginger Beer
- Bourbon Old Fashioned
- Soft Pumpkin Cookies
- Easy Apple Crisp (without oatmeal)
- Rum Muffins
- Old-fashioned Maraschino Milk Cocktail
- Austrian Kaiserschmarrn (torn pancakes)
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Bourbon Highball Recipe
Pin Recipe
Print Recipe
Equipment
-
Serving Glass
-
Measuring tools / Jigger
-
Sharp knife & cutting board
Ingredients
- Cubed Ice for the serving glass
- 1 oz Bourbon Whiskey
- Ginger beer to top off. One highball glass holds 240–350 ml
- Lemon slice for garnish
Instructions
-
Fill a tall glass with lots of cubed ice.
-
Pour in 1 oz bourbon whiskey.
-
Top with chilled ginger beer.
-
Garnish with a lemon slice.
Video
Notes
🎉 Hosting a party?
To serve six, use:
9 oz (270 ml) bourbon
18 oz (540 ml) ginger beer
6 lemon slices for garnish
Combine bourbon and ginger beer in a pitcher with ice, stir gently, and pour into glasses with fresh ice. Garnish just before serving.
Nutrition
⛑️ Food Safety
- Wash hands after handling raw ingredients and keep serving tools clean.
- Do not leave perishable garnishes or mixers out at room temperature for long periods.
- Store unopened mixers and alcohol according to package directions.
- Never leave cooking or open flames unattended when preparing party food.
For official guidance on safe food handling, consult your local food safety authority.