Best ginger beer, according to chefs
Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Paul McGee and Fanny Chu. Recommendations come from liquor.com.
Drinks · The ranking
- 1Top pick
Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer
Chosen by- Paul McGeeBartender & partner, Lost Lake · Chicago
Brewed from three gingers, and the bartenders’ standard for mules and highballs. McGee, the partner behind Chicago’s Lost Lake tiki bar: “It’s nice and dry (less sugar than most) with a flavor that won’t overpower the other ingredients in the cocktail or highball… Really great effervescence as well.” From the maker of the tonic next door; in supermarkets nationwide.
- 2
Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Chosen by- Fanny ChuHead bartender, Donna · Brooklyn
An Australian brew, brewed for up to three days from Australian-grown ginger and cane sugar. It’s sweeter and foamier than Fever-Tree, and it holds up to dark rum. Chu, head bartender at Brooklyn’s Donna, uses it for Dark ’n Stormys: “a great balance of sweet and spice with a warm foamy fizz that reminds me of dark beers.” In supermarkets nationwide.
- 3
Reed’s Extra Ginger Beer
Chosen by- Fanny ChuHead bartender, Donna · Brooklyn
A Jamaican-style, honey-sweetened ginger brew from California with twice the ginger of Reed’s original. Chu reaches for it when she wants heat: “It has that bite when I want a little more of a ginger kick.” Reed’s Strongest has three times the ginger for real heat-seekers. Widely sold nationwide.
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Questions, answered
- What is the best ginger beer, according to chefs?
- MyTastr’s top pick is Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer, chosen by Paul McGee (Lost Lake, Chicago). Brewed from three gingers, and the bartenders’ standard for mules and highballs. McGee, the partner behind Chicago’s Lost Lake tiki bar: “It’s nice and dry (less sugar than most) with a flavor that won’t overpower the other ingredients in the cocktail or highball… Really great effervescence as well.” From the maker of the tonic next door; in supermarkets nationwide. Source: liquor.com ↗
- What are the other top picks for ginger beer?
- No. 2 is Bundaberg Ginger Beer, chosen by Fanny Chu (Donna, Brooklyn). No. 3 is Reed’s Extra Ginger Beer, chosen by Fanny Chu (Donna, Brooklyn). Each card above links to the original source.
- How does MyTastr choose these picks?
- Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.