When you think about Root Beer Soda, it’s not many steps away from being a syrup. And as we all know, gin and syrup is a winning combination, as all tonic waters begin with a syrup base.
Coming up, we’re going to bring you a list of easy cocktails you can make with a can of root beer soda and your favorite gin. The add-in ingredients will be items you are very likely to have in your fridge or pantry.
4 Gin Root Beer Soda Cocktails with Easy to Follow Recipes
The following recipes are easy to make with common ingredients. For the most part, root beer and gin (to me), end up being a good dessert drink, rather than a bar sipper.
#1 The Gin Root Beer Float (with Vanilla ice cream or milk)
You just know this is going to taste good. If you want it to be the best it can be, go for the vanilla ice cream instead of milk.
- 1 Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream
- 1.5 oz. gin
- 5-6 oz. of Root Beer
Add the scoop of ice cream to a rocks glass and then pour in your favorite gin. Add about 1/2 can of Root Beer or to taste. Swirl gently.
Garnish: Use a stemmed maraschino cherry.
Vegan Gin & Root Beer Float
If you want to keep this Gin and Root cocktail vegan, use non-dairy milks and ice-cream. We think almond milk or almond vanilla ice-cream is best.
#2 Gin Root Beer Espresso (or Strong Coffee)
The original is made with freshly brewed, cooled espresso, but feel free to use and instant espresso like Nespresso.
- 2 oz gin
- 4 oz espresso coffee
- 2 oz root beer
Fill a tall glass with ice. Add the gin and espresso and stir. Pour in the root beer and stir gently.
Tip for Using Powdered Espresso
These powdered espressos can be added right to the cocktail if they are fine enough. Otherwise, go through the boiling water process before using it in a Gin Root Beer Espresso.
Alternatively, brew a strong cup of coffee and let it cool.
#3 Gin Root Beer Hot Chocolate
- 2 oz gin
- 3 oz Hot Chocolate
- 3 oz Root Beer
- whipped cream
Add the gin and Root Beer to your prepared hot chocolate. Top with whipped cream.
Quick Tip: Use 1/2 the Hot Chocolate and 1/2 the espresso in the above recipes and you’ve got yourself a Gin & Root Beer Mocha
#4 Gin and Tonic with a Root Beer
If you like minty, refreshing cocktails, you can get there when you don’t have any fresh mint. Believe it or not, mixing gin and tonic with a splash or root beer tastes remarkably similar to a wintergreen LifeSaver.
It works best with a gin that delivers anise, licorice notes like the ones in the background in a Tanqueray or Beefeater. Adding a splash of root beer also gives your drink a sophisticated amber color.
You can watch me pour the root beer into the gin and tonic here on my YouTube channel.
- 1.5 oz. Tanqueray or Beefeater
- 4-5 oz. of tonic water
- Splash of Root Beer
Garnish with a lime wheel or just leave it naked.
Things to Keep in Mind about Root Beer Varieties
Even though there are different root Root beer varieties, root beer soda is not the same as ginger beer or birch beer.
Many people thing these 3 are just different ratios of each other. But that is not the case.
Gin plays nice with complex sodas such as root beer and even Dr. Pepper, when you compliment the flavors. That means if you choose a spicier root beer, go ahead and make a spicy mixer….such as chai.
Just remember not to be too simple, or it might taste like toothpaste.
In Closing
Root beer and gin is a good combo when you mix it with other sweet and bold flavors. Keep in mind, that flavors could remind you of wintergreen if you don’t use strong add-ins.
As with the gin and tonic, that drink is not too complex, and therefore the sassafras of root beer makes you taste mint.
Have fun, experimenting and head to our homepage for a full explanation of gin flavor profiles.
