Jameson whiskey, ginger ale, and lime add up to the classic Jameson and Ginger Ale cocktail.
This is an incredibly simple, refreshing drink that even non-whiskey drinkers typically enjoy.
Are you a whiskey drinker? While Sean enjoys drinking scotch every now and again, I’ve never been a big fan.
In the past, I have typically leaned towards bourbon whiskey for drinks like this Whiskey Smash. (And you already know that I do enjoy that one!)
However, after spending a few hours participating in the Makers Experience with Jameson Whiskey a few years ago, I’m hooked on the flavor combinations that are possible with this whiskey.
Jameson and Ginger Ale
This is a classic Irish cocktail that has been popular for well over a hundred years.
In 1780, John Jameson established the method of making his triple-distilled Irish whiskey which is still used today. Whether you’re sipping it or mixing a cocktail with it, it’s the same whiskey that’s been produced for almost 250 years.
Ginger Ale was first introduced in Northern Ireland in 1851. One of the US’s oldest soft drinks, Vernor’s Ginger Ale was first served to the public in 1866.
Combining the two was brilliance on someone’s part many many years ago. I’ve also seen this drink called a “whiskey ginger,” “Jameson ginger,” or even an “Irish buck.”
The combination of whiskey with a light ginger or citrus soda is a terrific one. If you’re like me and prefer it a little lighter and less sweet, I like to add soda water (sparkling or seltzer water) to taste.
My personal favorite combination is 1 part Jameson, 2 parts Ginger Ale, a whole lot of lime, and about 2 parts soda water. (Feel free to kick up the Jameson a bit too, if you’re adding more soda.)
Classic Jameson & Ginger Ale Recipe
- 1 Part Jameson Irish Whiskey
- 2 Parts Ginger Ale
- Fresh lime juice
Directions
- Fill a highball glass (10-16 ounces) with ice. Pour Jameson whiskey over the ice and add ginger ale. Stir to mix.
- If desired, add additional ginger ale or soda water (sparkling or seltzer water) to taste.
- Squeeze lime into the drink. Garnish with lime, if desired.
Whiskey vs Whisky
In case you’re wondering about the different spellings of whiskey, we learned that Irish and American whiskeys are spelled with an e and Scottish and Canadian whisky are typically spelled without the e.
Both spellings of the word, whiskey and whisky, are correct. The spelling is an easy way to determine the country of origin.
While many people refer to certain types of whiskey as “Scotch,” technically only whisky produced in Scotland is classified that way.
Jameson Irish Whiskey
And to further add some confusion (further attempt at clarification) while Jameson whiskey is similar in many ways to Scotch whisky, because it is not made in Scotland, it is not a “Scotch.”
Jameson is an Irish whiskey, or “Irish” for short, but this doesn’t make it a bourbon. Like many Scottish whisky varieties, Jameson whiskey is made with malted barley, while bourbon whiskey (aka Kentucky bourbon) is distilled from corn.
Now that I’ve likely shared more about whisky and whiskey spellings and ingredients than you ever knew you didn’t know, I want to give you a peek into the Jameson Distillery on Bow St. in Dublin, Ireland.
Every bottle of Jameson sold today is distilled in Cork, Ireland and bottled in Dublin, Ireland.
This is why a bottle of Jameson sold in Ireland tastes exactly the same as a bottle sold in the States or in Canada or anywhere else in the world.
Whiskey Maker’s Tour in Dublin, Ireland
We tasted several different varieties of Jameson whisky and believe it or not, my favorite was the original. I’m more likely to mix whisky with something else in a cocktail, than I am likely to sip it on its own, but I enjoyed sipping it while at the distillery.
Jameson original is perfect for mixing and for sipping, making it perfect for Sean and I both. If you’re new to Jameson, simply mixing it with ginger ale is a terrific place to start.
At the end of our whiskey mixing and tour of the old distillery, we headed for the bar to try a Jameson cocktail. I opted for the classic Jameson & Ginger Ale and it was delicious.
It’s hard to believe that it has taken me nearly three years to get this posted here! (We were in Ireland in September 2018!) I’m super happy to finally be sharing this drink with you!
True story, I thought I shared this right after we got back home. I remembered writing it and making the cocktails too.
I was trying to find the post on the website a while back and realized it was still sitting unpublished in my drafts folder.
I’d written it all up while we were in Ireland and then the sunshine didn’t cooperate and I never took photos of the drink.
Well, my forgetfulness is today’s reward, because I very happily mixed up a couple of drinks, snapped a photo, and shared a drink with Sean after a long day outside last week.
Jameson, Ginger & Lime
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Jameson Irish Whiskey
- 2 ounces Ginger Ale, adjust to taste
- OPTIONAL: soda water or seltzer, to taste
- fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass (10-16 ounces) with ice. Pour Jameson whiskey over the ice and add ginger ale. Stir to mix.
- If desired, add additional ginger ale or soda water (sparkling or seltzer water) to taste.
- Squeeze lime into the drink. Garnish with lime, if desired.
Nutrition
{originally published 6/8/21 – notes edited 4/24/23}
Colette says
What a fun post, thanks for (finally) sharing! It brings up memories of our honeymoon in Ireland in 2017. We didn’t get to Jameson but had a lot of fun at Guinness. We tried a lot of gin in Ireland and still have a Dingle Gin hanging around, too. I would love (love) to go back to Ireland and we will definitely have to go to Jameson next time! Slainte!
Mary Younkin says
I would love a trip back to Ireland too! Jameson is definitely worth a visit next time, Colette.
Kirstin says
whiskey v whisky.
There’s no E in Scotland and their whisky has no E.
There is an E in Ireland and their whiskey has an E.
Mary Younkin says
Thank you for sharing the difference, Kirstin. I enjoy learning little bits like this.
LUKE RINGHAM says
I just wanted to mention that Jameson is not a Scotch. Jameson is an Irish Whiskey, or just Irish for short.
For example, Johnnie Walker is Scotch, Bushmills is Irish..
Mary Younkin says
You are correct and I appreciate that you took the time to point out where the Irish whiskey was described incorrectly. While many people refer to certain types of whiskey as “Scotch,” technically only whisky produced in Scotland should be classified that way. I’ve corrected it in the post above. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment here, Luke.