When I received the press release that Hank’s Gourmet Root Beer is now rolling out its spiciest flavor yet, Hank’s Caribbean Recipe Ginger Beer, I asked them to send me a sample so I could try it. I’m a fan of ginger beer in “Moscow Mules” or even just by itself, depending on my mood.

This is a good to great ginger beer. It’s got that signature ginger beer bite with enough kick to wake up the taste buds, but not completely blow them out. The spicy-to-sweet ratio is well-balanced so you can drink this straight out of the bottle and get a nice warm feeling with no unpleasant aftertaste.

According to the press release… Hank’s Caribbean Recipe Ginger Beer is “based on a custom blend of the highest-quality international gingers, other natural flavorings, just the right amount of carbonation to make it “pop” in mixed drinks or straight up, and contains 100% cane sugar. This new flavor packs everything people absolutely love in ginger beer but leaves behind the things nobody wants to see in beverages these days – no artificial flavors, colorings, preservatives or sweeteners.”

They are marketing it as a robust mixer for a variety of cocktails such as the Moscow Mule, Dark & Stormy, etc. I decided to make an “American Mule” using Tito’s Handmade Vodka as it is a highly recommended spirit for vodka-based cocktails.

I looked up a bunch of different Moscow Mule recipes and I just could not seem to find the correct balance when making this cocktail at home, though. While it completely drinkable, it was too sour for my liking — I guess I put too much lime juice in?

I was going to make a simple syrup to balance the sour but realized I was out of sugar. So, I ended up putting some Mr. and Mrs. T’s sweet and sour mixer in. This only masked the ginger beer flavor. Gahhh! I’ll keep trying until I get it just right, of course.

Homemade mixology is fun, after all! 😉

In any case, I’d recommend trying it by itself or in a cocktail of your choice. I’m thinking of making one with Fireball whiskey tonight. 🙂

FYI – Hank’s Ginger Beer comes in its award-winning, long-neck, amber 12-ounce bottle. The new distinctive packaging features the familiar Hank’s broad oval logo set on a textured, “linen-look,” with a Limited-Edition label. The product will be available in bars, clubs, restaurants, package stores, supermarkets, and gourmet shops coast-to-coast very soon!

It’s a fine addition to the lineup of gourmet sodas from this renowned Philadelphia area based company.

https://www.hanksbeverages.net/