The Grumpy Old Man is an easy bourbon cocktail takes 3 minutes and uses just bourbon, ginger ale, and lime juice. It’s lighter than an Old Fashioned, spicier than a whiskey highball, and easy to adjust with your favorite ginger ale.
And before you ask, no, it’s not a Kentucky Mule, but it’s very close. The Kentucky Mule is made ginger beer and the Grumpy Old Man drink uses ginger ale, so it’s usually a little sweeter and softer. And the ratios are a little different.
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Quick Notes
- This cocktail is best with a spicy ginger ale or ginger beer.
- Use 2 ounces of bourbon if you want a stronger drink.
- Fresh lime juice tastes much better than bottled.
- Serve it over a large ice cube so it doesn’t water down too fast.
Why This Cocktail Stands Out
The Grumpy Old Man cocktail is a simple mix, but that’s part of why it works so well. It’s not complicated or fussy, which means it’s easy to make anytime you want to relax.
The combination of bourbon, ginger ale, and lime juice creates a refreshing drink that’s both smooth and lively. Unlike some cocktails that try to hide the spirit with too many mixers, this one lets the bourbon shine through while still being light enough to enjoy on a warm day or as a nightcap.
The balance of flavors is important here. The ginger ale adds sweetness and a bit of spice, the lime juice brings a fresh citrus kick, and the bourbon ties it all together with its rich, woody notes.
This drink adds a healthy portion of bourbon to a glass of ginger ale and lime juice. It tastes wonderful, especially with a spicier ginger ale such as Vernor’s Ginger Ale (my personal favorite).
Equipment You’ll Need
You don’t need much equipment to make this drink – not even a shaker. It’s so easy. But you might want:
When to Enjoy This Cocktail
This drink is great for unwinding after work or on weekends when you want something simple but tasty. Because it’s not overly sweet or heavy, it works well as a daytime cocktail during summer barbecues or casual get-togethers.
If you’re hosting friends who like bourbon but want an easy-to-drink option, this cocktail will please everyone without much effort. It also pairs well with watching sports or just relaxing outside on a patio.
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How Strong Is It?
With 2 ounces of bourbon and 4 to 6 ounces of ginger ale, this drinks like a light highball.
It still contains a full pour of bourbon, so it can sneak up on you because the ginger ale makes it easy to sip.
Best Bourbon for This Drink
Use a bourbon you’d enjoy in a simple mixed drink. It doesn’t need to be expensive. For example, Maker’s Mark will give you a mellow, slightly sweet profile that blends nicely with the ginger ale.
A softer bourbon makes the drink smoother. A bolder bourbon gives it more whiskey flavor. Jim Beam Kentucky Straight adds a little extra punch and depth.
Since ginger ale adds sweetness, avoid anything that already tastes overly sweet to you.
Why Ginger Ale Instead of Ginger Beer?
Ginger ale makes this drink smoother, sweeter, and easier to sip. Ginger beer gives drinks like the Kentucky Mule more bite and a sharper ginger flavor.
You can split the difference with Vernor’s, which has a strong ginger kick. Or you can’t beat Canada Dry for classic ginger flavor that works well with bourbon.
Easy Ratio to Remember
Use this basic ratio:
- 2 parts bourbon
- 1/2 part fresh lime juice
- 4 to 6 parts ginger ale
For a stronger drink, use less ginger ale. For a lighter drink, use more ginger ale. If your ginger ale is very sweet, add an extra small squeeze of lime.
Make It Stronger or Lighter
- For a stronger drink, use 2 ounces of bourbon and less ginger ale.
- For a lighter drink, use 1 ounce of bourbon and fill the glass with extra ginger ale.
- For more bite, use ginger beer instead of ginger ale.
- For a sweeter drink, use a mild ginger ale like Canada Dry.
Tips for the Best Drink
- Use fresh lime juice if you can. Bottled lime juice can taste harsh here.
- Add the ginger ale last so the drink keeps its fizz.
- Use plenty of ice. This drink tastes best cold.
- Don’t shake it. The ginger ale will foam and go flat.
Make It for a Group
To make 6 drinks, use:
- 12 ounces bourbon
- 3 ounces fresh lime juice
- 36 to 48 ounces ginger ale or ginger beer
- Ice
- Lime wedges
Stir the bourbon and lime juice together in a small pitcher. Keep it cold. Add the ginger ale right before serving so it stays fizzy.
Garnishes and Presentation Ideas
While the Grumpy Old Man cocktail doesn’t need any fancy garnishes, adding a simple lime wedge or wheel on the rim of your glass can make it look more inviting.
Serving this drink in an old-fashioned glass or a copper mug adds to the experience. The copper mugs especially keep your drink colder longer and give it a nice weight in your hand.
Pairing This Cocktail With Food
This cocktail pairs nicely with grilled meats like steak or chicken because the ginger and lime brighten up richer flavors. A charcuterie board with salty cheeses, nuts, and cured meats can also work well.
Seafood dishes with citrus or ginger accents work particularly well too. Think fish parcels with herbs and spring onions or shrimp with a light citrus sauce.
For casual snacking, pretzels, roasted nuts, or parmesan crisps are simple options that enhance the drink’s spice and sweetness.
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More Easy Ginger Cocktails
If you like bourbon and ginger ale, try these next:
Prep Time
3 minutes
Total Time
3 minutes
Instructions
- Put ice into an old-fashioned glass.
- Add the bourbon and lime juice, and then top it off the rest of the way with ginger ale.
- Serve with a straw.
Notes
- Use a spicy ginger ale for the best flavor. Vernor’s works especially well if you like a stronger ginger kick.
- Ginger beer can be used instead of ginger ale, but the drink will taste sharper and less sweet.
- Fresh lime juice is strongly recommended. Bottled lime juice can taste too harsh in this simple cocktail.
- For a stronger drink, use 2 ounces of bourbon and 4 ounces of ginger ale.
- For a lighter drink, use 1 ounce of bourbon and fill the glass with extra ginger ale.
- Add the ginger ale last to keep the drink fizzy.
- Don’t shake this cocktail. Stir gently after adding the ginger ale, if needed.
- Serve over plenty of ice or one large ice cube so it stays cold without watering down too quickly.
- A lime wedge or lime wheel makes an easy garnish.
- To make 6 drinks, mix 12 ounces bourbon with 3 ounces lime juice in a pitcher. Add 36 to 48 ounces ginger ale right before serving.
