ginger beer

American  

noun

1. a soft drink similar to ginger ale but containing more ginger flavor.

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ginger beer British  

noun

1. a slightly alcoholic drink made by fermenting a mixture of syrup and root ginger

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Etymology

Origin of ginger beer

First recorded in 1800–10

Compare meaning

How does ginger-beer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• ginger ale vs. ginger beer

Example Sentences

Caporale even recommends trying your hand at making homemade ginger beer or ginger soda.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2026

The shortage also affected Asahi's soft drinks, such as ginger beer and soda water.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

Gardner’s kids, Lucca and Golden — elementary school students with a passion for ginger beer — were Whipper Snapper and Lil Deputy Doo-Doo Diaper, respectively.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2025

When teacher Elaine Fraser collapsed at home after drinking a ginger beer, she had no idea she had an allergy.

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2024

Boys and girls carried coolers on their heads, shouting, “Cold ice, cold ice . .“Cold ginger beer .

From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah