ginger beer

American  

noun

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

---

ginger beer British  

noun

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

---

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

With its ginger beer and fancy colas, Fentimans taps into the growing "mindful drinking" trend.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

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

Doctors still haven't been able to work out which ingredient in the ginger beer triggered Elaine’s allergic reaction.

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2024

A variation on the espresso tonic that's shaping up to be the coffee drink of summer, First Sip's photogenic iteration blends two ounces of espresso with about 6 ounces of ginger beer.

From Salon • May 10, 2023

Whenever they ordered Jamaican food at home, Ma always got ginger beer with it.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds