The King’s Ginger
Created in 1903 as a fiery restorative for King Edward VII, this ginger liqueur from Berry Bros & Rudd certainly packs a punch! There is a complexity of flavour and aroma including citrus notes reminiscent of orange marmalade and brandy. It leaves one with a pleasing after taste of ginger nuts and pink grapefruit. The initial sweetness is tempered by the strength of the alcohol (41%) and gentle warmth of the ginger. A tasty tipple for a cold winter’s day combining all the flavours of a Christmas pudding (orange,lemon,dried fruit,spices) in a glass.
OUR VERDICT: VERY GOOD
Ginger Ale
A non-alcoholic drink made from ginger, sugar and carbonated water. It is commonly used as a mixer but is increasingly being manufactured with fruit flavours.
Ginger Beer
Ginger beer can be both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Non-alcoholic ginger beer is made from ginger, lemon and sugar, and carbonated with pressurized carbon dioxide. Alcoholic ginger beer is brewed using ginger, lemon, sugar and yeast. Ginger beer has a noticeably stronger ginger taste than ginger ale.
Ginger Wine
Ginger wine can be both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Alcoholic ginger wine is a fortified wine made from a fermented blend of ground ginger and raisins.
Ginger Cordial
A non-alcoholic drink concentrate made with either real ginger or artificial ginger flavouring. It can be diluted with water or used as a mixer.
Teas & Infusions
A refreshing drink with many purported health benefits including the relief of flatulence and a cure for travel sickness. Can be made at home with sliced or grated ginger root and served with lemon & honey.
Virgil Kaine has recently launched Bourbon & Ginger, a ginger flavoured bourbon whisky. The drink has been developed in Charleston, South Carolina, by infusing two-year-old Kentucky bourbon with natural ginger and a secret blend of exotic ingredients. It is 80 proof (or 40% abv).
InterContental Brands has announced the addition of a ginger flavour to its Cactus Jack’s Schnapps range. Designed to be enjoyed straight from the fridge or poured over ice with soda or lemonade, the drink will be launched in 50% extra free bottles for a limited period.
A joint venture between Sharp’s Brewery and the Eden Project has resulted in a beer containing English ginger. Launched yesterday, Honey Gold is a summer seasonal beer brewed with five varieties of hops, honey and spices including ginger which has been grown at the Eden Project.
Absolut has added a fresh apple and ginger flavoured vodka to its ever expanding range. Launched on May 2nd at Frankfurt Airport, Absolut Orient Apple will be rolled out to other duty-free outlets this summer. The drink has no added sugar or artificial flavour enhancers.
Elixir G, the ginger cocktail mix, has now been made available for the take-home market. Made from fresh ginger root by Perfect Beverage in Los Angeles, the mixer can be found in BevMo! superstores throughout California and Arizona.
A pre-mix of The Famous Grouse and ginger beer is being trialled in parts of Scotland. The trial will be held from the 1st March until the second week of April in selected bars and pubs in Edinburgh and Glasgow. It is intended that the 6% abv drink, called Ginger Grouse, will be served long over ice.
SIPP Ginger Blossom has proved so successful that it is now available online. Launched last October, the sparkling organic beverage can be used on its own, as an alternative to soda or as a cocktail mixer. It is a blend of ginger, vanilla, lime and Agave nectar.
Tomorrow sees the launch of Brothers Ginger Cider. It uses the existing Brothers Bittersweet Apple Cider with ginger extract added to it. It is the first drink to combine ginger with cider. The drink is said to have a smooth flavour with a fiery ginger aftertaste.
A ginger and grapefruit liqueur has been launched today by Symrise. The German supplier of fragrances and flavourings has developed a range of citrus-based alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks which are being unveiled at this year's Brau Beviale beverage industry trade fair.
Halewood International will extend its range of drinks by launching Crabbie’s Mulled Ginger Wine in time for Christmas. This “indulgent premium” product, made from ruby wine, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and citrus fruits, will be launched with a national advertising campaign.
A 100% natural ginger flavouring has been launched by Treatt, the world-leading manufacturer of flavour ingredients. Ginger Treattarome ® 9745 is a FTNF (“From The Named Food”) clear distillate which will have many uses in the beverage industry.
Thorncroft Drinks, the UK maker of natural ingredient fruit drinks, has engaged Semper Excelsius to market Thorncroft's Healthy Thirst drinks range in the USA. This range, which includes Pink Ginger, is free of added sugar, artificial colours and flavours.
We’ve just stumbled across this organic pineapple and ginger juice from the Chicago-based Ginger Bliss Juice company. Unfortunately it only appears to be available in the Greater Chicago area so we won’t be able to sample it. Maybe some of our American readers would like to contribute a review on our forum (when available).
Gran Stead have launched Still Lemonade with a Zing of Ginger which is a fusion of their existing Ginger Wine and Traditional Still Lemonade.
A ginger fruit wine from Carr Taylor has won a gold star award at the 2009 Greate Taste Awards. This sweet wine is 11.5% abv and is ideal with stir fries and with Christmas pudding.
Evelyn Waugh’s favourite tipple was Noonday Reviver, a blend of Guinness, gin and ginger beer.
Champagne is just ginger ale that knows somebody.
In 19th century England, pub landlords would supply shakers of ginger powder for drinkers to add to their beer.
Ginger is one of the most natural ways to cure a hangover. Add some pieces of ginger in water and let it boil for ten minutes. Strain it, add a little orange juice, lemon juice and a bit of honey and have the mixture.
Many ginger ales are made with synthetic ginger.
Put some ice cubes into a glass. Add two parts ginger ale, one part orange juice, a teaspoon of grenadine and stir. Garnish with maraschino cherries and a slice of orange.
Their drink is commonly water, but while the grape lasteth they drink wine; and, for want of casks to keep it, all the year after they drink water, but it is sodden with ginger in it…
Domaine de Canton is a popular ginger-flavoured liqueur produced in Jarnac in south-west France.
Chef Mark Hix, owner of Hix restaurant in London's Soho, recommends Luscombe Hot Ginger Beer with his smoked salmon. Read this in Jonathan Ray's article in the Telegraph.
Falernum is a sweet syrup popularly used in Caribbean and tropical drinks. It is made from ginger, almonds, lime and cloves and is commonly mixed with rum.