Rum and ginger beer is one of those pairings that never really goes out of fashion because the heat of the ginger and the sweetness of the rum balance each other so easily. We've made our own version with honey rum and it's become the drink we reach for when we want something quick that still tastes like we put some thought into it.
What we use
- 50ml Beeble Honey Rum
- Juice of half a lime
- 100ml ginger beer
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice and a lime wedge
How we make it
We start by packing a highball glass with ice because a full glass keeps the drink cold without it watering down too quickly. The honey rum goes in first and then we squeeze in the juice of half a lime and shake in two dashes of bitters before topping the whole thing with about 100ml of ginger beer. A couple of turns with a long spoon is plenty since stirring too hard just knocks the fizz out. Then we balance a wedge of lime on the rim and that's it.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Beeble Honey Rum
- Juice of ½ Lime
- 100 ml Ginger Beer (or to taste)
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Ice
Method:
- Fill a Highball Glass with Ice
- Add all the ingredients to the glass and stir
- Garnish with a wedge of lime
Why the honey makes a difference
Ginger beer and lime are both pretty sharp so a drier rum can leave the glass tasting a bit thin and spiky. The honey in ours rounds that off and gives the ginger a warmer feel that lasts right down to the last sip even when the ice has started to melt. The bitters add a little spice and turn the colour a deeper amber which is half the fun of drinking it.
A few things we've learned
The ginger beer you choose changes the drink more than anything else. A fiery one gives you a sharper cocktail and a gentler one makes it softer and sweeter so it's worth trying a couple and keeping whichever suits you. We always squeeze fresh lime because the bottled stuff tastes flat once it hits the ice. If it ever comes out too sweet we add another squeeze of lime and if it's too punchy a splash more ginger beer settles it down. It's also easy to make for a group since there's no shaker involved so we line up the glasses and fill them one after the other. Our honey cocktail recipes have plenty more drinks that work the same way.
Keep the ginger beer in the fridge until the second you pour because a cold bottle helps the ice last and the first sip stays crisp.
