Found below is our roundup of the ten best ginger beers of 2021. Here we share the results of our taste tests as we formed a group of our family, friends, and colleagues to help us finalize our list. But before we were able to compile and trim down our shortlist of the most popular ginger beers today, we needed to go through our standard process of gathering updated information.
This initially involves considering the most salient factors of a product. Reviews left by other Amazon buyers and the members of online communities and social media groups about matters related to food and drinks greatly helped us develop a shortlist of the top ginger beers of the year. But before we were able to do this, we needed to understand what ginger beer is and its benefits fully.
Next, we compared and contrasted the main points and advantages of each ginger beer in our shortlist. We did this to prune our list down to those that count most. By asking our peer networks and online communities for their comments, those who continue to drink each of these ginger beers provided us with valuable insights.
Afterward, we built a small team of volunteer testers from our family, friends, co-workers, and colleagues at the online communities we frequent. We combined beginner and novice ginger beer drinkers with pros to ensure the diversity of our test results. So we compiled their feedback, carefully reviewed their comments, and finalized our list of the top 10 ginger beers for your fridge this 2021.
So this is how we put together a list of the top 10 ginger beers of 2021. And here’s our roundup:
Ginger Beer Review Center 2021
| Image | Ginger Beer | Rating |
|---|---|---|
 | #1 - Zevia Zero Calorie Soda Ginger Root Beer | 99% |
 | #2 - Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer | 96% |
 | #3 - Portland Ginger Beer Syrup | 95% |
 | #4 - Yorkshire's Finest Ginger Beer | 93% |
 | #5 - Maine Root Ginger Beer | 92% |
 | #6 - Fever-Tree Smoky Ginger Beer | 92% |
 | #7 - Barritt's Original Ginger Beer | 90% |
 | #8 - Cason Ginger Beer Superinfusion | 82% |
 | #9 - Cape Cod Ginger Organic Beverage | 74% |
 | #10 - Saranac Hand Crafted Ginger Beer | 68% |
Learn More
For us to be able to provide such a list, we searched the Internet for the opinions of online reviewers who were true fans of ginger beer. We then took those ginger beers and asked some of our friends and co-workers for their feedback. Finally, we encouraged some friendly bartenders to make some delicious drinks for us to try. And here are our findings:
#1 – Zevia Zero Calorie Soda Ginger Root Beer
The information on the Zevia Zero Calorie Soda Ginger Root Beer is rather vast. A pack contains 24 12-ounce cans. It contains extra ginger and pairs nicely with a Moscow Mule. We would imagine that it can be used as a mixer for a lot more.
It’s made from carbonated water, Stevia Leaf extract, citric acid, caramel color, and natural flavors. Each can contains zero calories and zero grams of sugar.
It’s a ginger beer for everyone, the no sugar, no artificial sweeteners on the can may have given that away. It has a strong ginger kick, but there’s also a bit of sweetness to it.
What We Like About It:
We made Moscow Mules with this ginger beer and a store brand ginger beer. Using exactly the same ingredients, we wanted to see just how much of a ginger kick we got. It was awesome. You get this ‘wow’ warmth in your mouth, but it doesn’t burn.
The sweet flavors come in afterward, slowly converting the heat. It’s not the kind of sweetness that makes you feel sick; it was just the right balance.
Online reviewers were quickly hooked on the Zevia Zero Calorie Soda Ginger Root Beer. One believed that the search for a superior ginger beer was over.
The bartenders that were taking part in our testing made bourbon and mint cocktail and a Gin Gin Mule (like the Moscow Mule but with gin and mint). The mint in both the recipes brought a new dimension to the cocktails, more than just ginger and alcohol.
It’s neither cheap nor pricey. It comes in a good size can so there wasn’t any waste. We also felt that because of the extra strong ginger, it would be another good option for marinating chicken and pork.
#2 – Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer
Fever-Tree uses three natural gingers that are left to brew for 25 hours. It combines ginger from the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and India mixed with carbonated water. This provides a fresh, crisp, rich chocolaty flavor with an earthy aroma.
It’s an award-winning ginger beer. It leaves a slightly sweet ginger taster in the mouth and gentle warmth towards the back of the throat. It’s smooth and silky in texture because of the small bubbles in the drink.
Fever-Tree recommends adding this ginger beer to make a Moscow Mule, Irish Mule, or a Dark and Stormy. It also makes a delicious soft drink on its own.
All of the Fever-Tree Premium ginger beer is free from artificial sweetness, flavorings, and preservatives.
This is an 8-bottle pack. Each bottle is 500ml/16.9fl oz. This particular size has a screw-top lid. It’s also available in 200ml bottles. There are 80 calories per 200ml, and it’s alcohol-free.
The eight bottles come in one sturdy box with each bottle separated by cardboard to protect the glass. This ginger beer has a shelf life of approximately six months.
What We Like About It:
This was a divine ginger beer. It had a bold taste to it, but at the same time, it wasn’t overbearing. There was a little bit of a kick to it, but with the sweetness, it didn’t taste too strong.
Our bartenders made some wonderful cocktails, including the Moscow Mule and the Irish Mule. They both had a subtle hit of bubbles that weren’t enough to leave us feeling bloated.
Others tried it on its own. The overall feeling was rather energetic. It was refreshing. Online reviewers felt the same. Many commented on how this was the best ginger beer they had ever tasted.
Many online viewers noticed a fluctuation in price. It’s well worth keeping an eye out on when the price falls back down again to take advantage of this.
#3 – Portland Ginger Beer Syrup
While looking at ginger beer syrup, we discovered that Portland has an option that is even better value for money. This is a two-pack with each bottle containing 16oz of syrup.
It has an intense flavor as it is brewed using whole fresh ginger root. The heat comes from Japanese chilies, which also gives it an authentic taste. There is also a little hint of citric acid. It can be drunk alone or mixed with spirits.
There are no artificial flavors or colors. It’s sweetened with real sugar cane. It’s gluten-free and suitable for vegans.
This ginger beer is brewed and bottled in Portland. Each bottle will make over 16 cocktails. It’s not just limited to drinks. You can use this to add to culinary recipes like curries and even baked goods like gingerbread biscuits.
What We Like About It:
We were impressed by the versatility of this ginger beer syrup. Once we mixed it with the club soda, we found it delicious on its own with a mint leaf and slice of lemon.
Some people tried the syrup with plain water. Just a tiny amount completely changed a boring glass of water. We felt that this was a good way to encourage people to drink more water daily.
Our bartenders made the testing group three cocktails, the traditional Moscow Mule, a Ginger Fizz, and the Corner Store. The ginger beer paired very nicely with the vodka as well as the gin and the whiskey.
For our culinary recipes, we marinated the chicken in a high concentrate of ginger beer. We mixed four tablespoons of syrup with two tablespoons of club soda. The chicken had a lovely golden brown glaze, and the taste was amazing.
Everybody generally agreed that the Portland ginger syrup had an excellent blend of ginger, sweetness, and spice. It’s excellent value for money and well worth having it in the house for a range of uses.
#4 – Yorkshire’s Finest Ginger Beer
This is a great way to save money and still have a good quality ginger beer. The bottle contains 16 ounces of syrup concentrate. You can mix your own ginger beer with club soda. It also works with SodaStream.
To mix your ginger beer, you need to use a ratio of 5:1. For example, 10oz of soda water would require 2oz of syrup. This will be enough to 2.8 liters of ginger beer.
You can also play around with the ratios to suit your taste buds. So, you can see how much money you could save compared to buying cans.
Yorkshire’s Finest Ginger Beer is a spicy beer. It contains pure sugar cane. You will also detect natural flavors of spices and citric acid. It’s a perfect mixer to go with mules and high-end cocktails.
There is no calorie information because it will depend on the brand of soda you use. Once you open the bottle, you need to keep it in the fridge to preserve it.
What We Like About It:
Some have mentioned that it’s not easy to find a spicy ginger beer, making this an excellent option for those who can handle the stronger flavor. For those of us who found it a little too strong, we just added a little more club soda.
Some of the testers in our group found that there was a nice amount of sweetness. But they said this isn’t too strong, so it doesn’t take away the intensity of the heat.
Many buyers in Amazon were super impressed with the Yorkshire’s Finest ginger beer. One person liked the fact that by mixing your ratio, you had more control over the sugar content. Another decided that the flavor was so good they didn’t care about their diet!
We found a little bit of inspiration online and realized that you could do more than make a mixer for your cocktails. We tried making a spiced tea with it, adding it to warm cereal for breakfast the more adventurous used it as a glaze for barbecuing chicken.
#5 – Maine Root Ginger Beer
Maine Root offers a 12 pack and a 24 pack. We are going to look at the 24 pack. Each bottle contains 12 fluid ounces. If you chose the 12 pack, you would also receive 12 fluid ounces per bottle.
This company uses loose ginger root to “mingle” with pure organic evaporated cane juice. The water has been purified, and a nice amount of fizz added so that you can enjoy the bubbles in your cocktails. The organic cane sugar is Fair Trade Certified.
The drinks are also free from wheat, soy, peanuts, and any traces of fish, eggs, milk, and peanuts. This might be implied, but it also means that it is not prepared in any location where these foods are used.
One bottle contains 165 calories, 0g of fat, 40g of carbs, and 40g of sugar. Considering the price, it might not be an everyday beverage, but it makes a great present or treat to keep in the home when you need a pick-me-up.
What We Like About It:
When tasting this ginger beer alone, we detected various flavors. Some could taste a little bit of anise. Others noticed vanilla. One online reviewer even tasted a blueberry flavor.
There was no denying the strong kick of ginger. There was enough sweetness to take away the heat. The same with the bubbles, enough but not too much. Most said that this ginger beer had a good bite to it.
For our testing, we tried a Ginger Beer Margarita. It was made with tequila, lime zest, lime juice, and ginger beer. As our grandparents would have said, “it would put hairs on your chest.” It had an amazing hit of ginger and lime; we almost felt like it was a healthy smoothie. The tequila was mild, but you could still taste it over the strong ginger flavor.
At first, we were a little shocked at the price. After we had tasted it, we understood that the price was justified for the quality flavors of this ginger beer.
#6 – Fever-Tree Smoky Ginger Beer
Considering the popularity of the Fever-Tree brand, we were keen to see the difference between the Premium and the Smoky. This is a 24 pack containing 6.8 fluid ounce bottles. This bottle design requires a bottle opener.
The base ingredients are the same as the Premium. The ginger is naturally sourced from Nigeria, India, and the Ivory Coast. The texture is also smooth and silky, with small bubbles.
The difference is PureSmoke technology and the applewood water from England. This smoky flavor provides a complex counterweight to the heat of the ginger. It leaves a wonderful warm aftertaste.
It can be drunk alone or used in traditional ginger beer-based cocktails. The Fever-Tree ginger beer pairs very well with fine whiskeys, bourbons, and rums.
This ginger beer is free from artificial sweeteners, flavorings, and preservatives. It is also non-GMO certified.
What We Like About It:
The best way we could describe the smoky ginger beer is like drinking an aged bottle of red wine. We didn’t expect there to be so much difference. A normal bottle of red wine is fine until you try one that has been barrelled in oak.
The applewood added even more heat but not extra spice. There was still a subtle hint of sweetness and citrus too. We felt that it was too good to use in any type of cooking.
At first, we weren’t sure if the smaller 6.8 fluid ounce bottle would be enough to make a full cocktail, but with enough ice, it was just the right amount.
Quite a few of the testers appreciated the natural element of this drink. It was nice to know that it doesn’t have any genetically modified products.
The bartenders prepared a Dark and Stormy for the group with the smoky ginger beer, apple cider, rum, and a slice of lime. Even those who weren’t keen on rum decided that this cocktail was delicious. We made it with normal ginger ale to compare the difference, and it’s undeniably noticeable.
There isn’t much of a price difference between the Fever-Tree Smoky ginger beer and a normal bottle, so we agreed that it was more than worth the price.
#7 – Barritt’s Original Ginger Beer
Barritt’s boasts that this ginger beer can be drunk with whiskey, tequila, vodka, sangria, gin, rum, and even beer. It can be mixed to make Margaritas and Moscow Mules.
This ginger beer comes in cans rather than glass bottles. Each can has 12 fluid ounces, and you can choose between a 12 pack and 24 pack. It works out quite a bit cheaper (per fluid ounce) if you buy the 24 can pack.
The carbonated water is mixed with real ginger and the company’s secret blend of spices and ingredients. It creates a bold, flavorful, spicy drink with an extra bit of zest to “lift your spirits,” as the company says.
Instead of using natural sugar cane, Barritt’s uses a high fructose corn syrup to provide the sweetness to calm down the heat.
It’s nice that the company has provided a blog and web address for people to find a list of cocktail recipes that you can make with this ginger beer.
What We Like About It:
Barritt’s originated in Bermuda, so it’s normal that quite a few of the online reviews were taken back to fond memories of cocktails on the beach. Perhaps it was psychological after reading the reviews, but we were also fairly convinced that this was a ginger beer put you in a holiday mood.
We wanted to keep to an authentic cocktail, so we tasted a Dark and Stormy. The bartenders also made us a White Wine Ginger Fizz so we could try the two different kinds of spirits.
Both of the cocktails were perfect, and it was impossible to say that the Barritt’s ginger beer paired better with one than the other. Everybody agreed that whatever the secret ingredients, Barritt’s had made a ginger beer that is a great mixer for any spirit.
The non-alcoholic drinkers, both in the group and online, also felt that this had just the right flavor to be drunk alone. It was warm, sweet, and a strong ginger flavor.
#8 – Cason Ginger Beer Superinfusion
The idea behind this company was to take out all of the unhealthy products that are found in traditional soft drinks and replace them with natural ingredients. This ginger beer contains milk thistle, prickly pear, potassium dandelion root, decaffeinated green tea, and ginger root.
The dandelion root, ginger, and prickly pear help settle uneasy stomachs and reduce aches and pains. Milk thistle detoxifies, potassium regulates water and mineral balance, and green tea helps protect cells. On top of all of that, it’s non-GMO and kosher.
The health benefits continue. It’s gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan. It’s low in calories and suitable for people with diabetes. Those following the KETO diet will be able to include this beverage.
This ginger beer has a pleasant aggressive bite. It uses five types of ginger root with a small cut of habanero chili extract. The flavor will linger in the mouth for a while.
A pack contains 12 cans of 12 fluid ounces. You will be amazed at the value of this pack of ginger beer.
What We Like About It:
This is a brilliant alternative to soft drinks but more exciting than drinking just water. We had one person with diabetes in our testing group, and they were over the moon when they could finally drink a flavorful drink.
None of our group members had food allergies, but one person did have a very sensitive stomach and had to be careful about what they ate. After drinking the Cason ginger beer regularly, they noticed that their stomach was much more settled. This was backed by online reviews with stomach issues.
We appreciated that it’s a drink full of health benefits, but we decided to make a Christmas Mule a bit healthier! By warming the ginger beer and adding pear vodka with a cinnamon stick, we had a lovely little winter warmer that convinced us we were helping our immune systems.
Finally, it has a lovely all-round taste with a powerful amount of ginger. It’s one of the best-priced packs of ginger beer on our list but also has great qualities.
#9 – Cape Cod Ginger Organic Beverage
The great thing about this is that in the pack, you have six different flavors, two of each so 12 bottles in total. Although they are called samplers, they’re 12 ounces each.
You’ll be able to try Ginger’s original, Ginger Pineapple, Ginger Mango, Ginger strawberry, Ginger passion fruit, and Ginger pomegranate. The sugar content starts at 14g but is slightly higher for some depending on the fruit.
Cape Cod is proud of the simplicity of its drinks, with only five ingredients in the Ginger original, pure water, organic ginger, organic raw cane sugar, citric acid, and a plant-based enzyme.
It’s prebiotic, suitable for vegans, non-GMO, and with no caffeine or fructose corn syrup. The plastic bottles are BPA free, and all of the drinks are USDA organic.
This is the perfect choice if you are looking for a smooth ginger beer without the heat that you get with other ginger beers with added chili or spices.
What We Like About It:
We liked the bubbles. Each drink was carbonated, but they weren’t as fizzy as a regular soda. The company suggests trying it hot and cold, so we did. The hot drinks were lovely winter warmers, and each ginger flavor paired well with clear and dark spirits.
We felt that this pack is great for families too. With such a range of fruity flavors, there will be one to suit even the fussiest person. Most ginger beers are too strong for younger pallets. This is a great way to introduce them to flavor.
We decided to let our bartenders have a free reign and create a few of their ideas. Each bartender chose one flavor to create a cocktail. We tried the Ginger original with apple juice, mint, lemon, and lime for a non-alcoholic option. Other successful cocktails were the Ginger pomegranate and vodka, and Ginger strawberry with gin.
This set provided endless possibilities for cocktail enthusiasts to get creative. They were great sized bottles and good value for money.
#10 – Saranac Hand Crafted Ginger Beer
Saranac has a range of world-famous drinks, including sparkling lemonade, black cherry cream, Shirley Temples, and more. There’s also a diet ginger beer available.
It’s another ginger beer that is slightly lacking in information but not in flavor. It uses “tons” of ginger for a real ginger snap. That doesn’t state that it’s made from real ginger. It’s flavored with high fructose corn syrup.
There are a 12 pack and a 24 pack. In this case, the 12 pack is better value for money per fluid ounce. The bottles are 12fl oz. Each.
Saranac ginger beer is caffeine-free. It is a great drink by itself or a delicious mixer in cocktails. You can expect a slightly tart taste yet effervescent.
What We Like About It:
We liked how it tasted of just the right amount of ginger. There was a warm, tingling feeling when we tasted it. Some people could taste the sweetness; others were happy that the ginger was the star of the drink.
We tried this ginger beer as a mixer for a Dark and Stormy and Irish Ale. Our bartenders made the group El Diablo, ginger beer, tequila, and crème de cassis. It paired well with all of the spirits, especially the fruity flavors in El Diablo.
It’s a great all-round ginger beer. It has the right amount of heat but not overbearing, in a way, this helps it combine nicely with a wider range of spirits. It’s a nice drink to have when you want to celebrate with friends and family.
We took in the feedback from hundreds of online reviewers not only from Amazon but also from social media sites. The feedback helped us to create this list. It was the opinions of our testers that made a difference. They patiently went through each detail of these ginger beers, considering the value for money, the flavors, and the uses. It was thanks to their insights that we were able to come up with the top 10 ginger beers of 2021.
What is Ginger Beer?
Ginger beer is a type of fermented beverage that’s similar to beer. Also known as ginger ale, this type of drink is produced with the use of ginger, yeast, and sugar. This gives it a unique taste, and when mixed with alcoholic content, these ginger beers can give you a light buzz that isn’t too intoxicating when drank in moderation.
Ginger beer started to be produced in the Caribbean islands and also in the rest of Asia during the spice trade. This was when these regions of the world were producing a wide variety of spices and trading it with other products from different countries that didn’t have many of these spices. Mostly drank during hot weather to cool down, this drink became widely popular because of its health benefits and unique taste. Many pro chefs even use these ginger beers to add flavor to their recipes and meals.
Today, ginger beer is a refreshing drink that offers surprising health benefits. It’s wonderful for relieving nausea and has anti-inflammatory properties. It can be drunk by itself or added to other beverages as a mixer.
But there are lots of ginger beer brands in the market today. These come in a variety of sizes per serving, packs, taste, and type. Many of these products are promoted as health drinks that anyone can enjoy, while others are distributed as a healthy alternative to beer and liquor as these are mixed with alcohol.
Some are also packaged as canned or bottled carbonated soft drinks. These ginger beers are promoted as healthy options for those who love the taste of soft drinks, especially those that are free from sugar and caffeine.
So with this multitude of options out there today, it can be quite challenging to pinpoint the best ginger beers for your exact preferences. That’s why we provided below a list of the most important aspects to consider when selecting the best ginger beers in our list of the top 10 brands in the market today.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Ginger Beer
- Nutritional Value Per Serving — Each ginger beer brand contains different amounts of cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, saturated, and trans fat. Some don’t have any combination of these. So if you’re on a strict low carb diet, then you might want to avoid ginger beers with lots of carb content. Meanwhile, don’t choose ginger beers with high sodium content if you’re trying to cut down on salt.
On the other hand, many of the volunteers in our test group didn’t want cholesterol, trans, and saturated fat. So carefully review the nutritional content of each ginger beer in our list before you choose one; - Kosher & Gluten — Some of the ginger beers in our roundup contain gluten, kosher, or a combination of both. If you’re trying to avoid these, then most of the products in our list of the ten best ginger beers this 2021 have labels that indicate this. Many food and drinks today have these labels. So don’t forget to check this out as you try a ginger beer from our list;
- Caloric Content — As ginger beers contain different levels of carbohydrates, cholesterol, sodium, saturated and trans fat, each product in our list also has varying levels of caloric content. So if you’re on a strict diet, you should first check out the labels of these ginger beers before you get one. Keep in mind; a ginger beer usually has around 40 to 150 calories per serving;
- Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic — Some ginger beers contain alcohol, while others don’t. So if you prefer a light buzz while you enjoy your drink mainly for its health benefits and spicy taste, then consider a product in our list with low to medium alcoholic content. Otherwise, go for those without any alcohol. The important thing is, you should, of course, know if your drink has alcohol or not before you go around drinking and serving it to your family, friends, and guests;
- Soft Drink Type — Ginger beers are often packaged as canned soft drinks. Many of these contain sugar, caffeine, or a combination of these. But there are others that are labeled as sugar and caffeine-free. So if you’re cutting down on your sugar intake, then try the sugar-free products on our list. That also goes for the caffeine-free ones, especially if you often enjoy a few ginger beers before you sleep;
- Serving Size & Packaging — Each manufacturer offers a variety of sizes for a bottle or a can of their ginger beer. This is usually measured in ounces or milliliters. Our friends and colleagues often choose a size that’s most suitable for the volume of ginger beer that they can drink in one sitting.
On the other hand, these brands also provide different options for packs of 3, 6, and so on. These normally come at discounted prices, especially when you buy packs of 6 or more. Just don’t forget to consider how often you want to enjoy and serve ginger beer and also the size of your fridge when you buy these packs; and - Guarantees & Price — You’re advised to choose ginger beers that comply with the specifications and regulations of the food and beverage authority of your government. This is indicative of the health precautions employed by its manufacturer for its production procedures, safety, and quality checking processes. Of course, we vetted each product in our list of the ten best ginger beers this year in this regard as we take our health seriously. And once you’ve gone through this list of the most crucial factors to consider when choosing ginger beers, don’t forget to compare the prices of your shortlisted products and contrast the benefits and advantages that each ginger beer brand can offer. This way, you’ll be able to get the best bang for your buck.
Keep these factors in mind, and you’ll be able to quickly and easily identify the most suitable ginger beers in our list of the top 10 products in the market today. That’s because you’ll also be able to zone in on certain aspects that count the most for you. For example, if you’re searching for healthy alternatives to alcoholic drinks, then you can review the products in our roundup with alcoholic content. Meanwhile, if you prefer the taste of caffeinated, low sugar soft drinks, then you can focus on the ginger beers in our list that are packaged as caffeinated soft drinks with low caloric and sugar content.
Do You Need Ginger Beers?
If you enjoy a spicy beverage time and again that’s similar to beer or soft drinks, then the quick answer is yes. Also, you’re advised to try any of the products in our list of the ten best ginger beers this 2021 if you’re searching for a healthy drink that can go well with your favorite snacks, meals, and treats. Plus, you can even use these for your recipes, which can add a spicy flavor to its taste. The bottom line is, ginger beer is a tasty drink that can provide you with lots of health benefits. Just don’t forget to choose the right one, and you’ll be on your way to a delicious drink that hits your specific parameters when it comes to taste, feel, and health advantages.