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 problem isn't just affecting beer, she adds, there are also shortages of Asahi's soft drinks, such as ginger beer and soda water.

From BBC • Oct. 10, 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

“Yummy, tastes like ginger beer, love the burn,” wrote one of the testers.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2023

He put his bag on the floor and pulled out some biscuits and a bottle of cold ginger beer.

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