Wild Turkey is one of the most popular bourbon whiskies in the world, known for its bold, spicy flavor. It has a high rye content which gives it a robust, peppery taste. Wild Turkey is an affordable bourbon, making it a bartender and cocktail lover favorite. But is Wild Turkey any good with ginger ale? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Wild Turkey Bourbon?
Wild Turkey is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey produced by the Austin Nichols division of Campari Group. It is distilled from a mash bill containing 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. It is aged for at least 4 years in charred new oak barrels, resulting in a rich amber color and concentrated vanilla, caramel, and oak flavors.
The brand was established in 1940 by the Ripy family. Master distiller Jimmy Russell has been making Wild Turkey since 1954, making him the longest tenured master distiller in the industry. The whiskey is bottled at 81 proof (40.5% ABV) for the base Wild Turkey bourbon, but several other expressions are available at higher proofs.
Some facts about Wild Turkey bourbon:
- Aged for at least 4 years in charred new American oak barrels
- Mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
- Bottled at 81 proof (40.5% ABV)
- Spicy and robust flavor from its high rye content
- Affordable pricing makes it a bartender favorite
- Produced by Campari Group’s Austin Nichols division
- Jimmy Russell has been distilling it since 1954
Overall, Wild Turkey is known for its bold, spicy kick and versatility in cocktails. Now let’s see how it pairs with ginger ale!
What does ginger ale add to the flavor profile?
Ginger ale is a flavored soda made with ginger spice and lemon or lime juice. The key qualities it brings to a mixed drink include:
- Carbonation – The bubbles add a lively texture
- Sweetness – Ginger ale balances out stronger spirits with its sweetness
- Ginger flavor – Adds a subtle ginger zing
- Acidity – The citrus juices contribute a subtle tartness
With a robust, spicy bourbon like Wild Turkey, the ginger ale’s sweetness helps mellow it out. The bubbles make the combo more refreshing to drink. The ginger note complements Wild Turkey’s spice, while the acidity helps freshen it up.
Popular bourbon and ginger ale cocktail recipes
Here are some classic cocktails that mix bourbon with ginger ale:
Kentucky Mule
- 2 oz Wild Turkey bourbon
- 4-6 oz ginger beer
- Squeeze of fresh lime juice
- Lime wedge garnish
Build over ice in a copper mug or collins glass. Garnish with lime wedge.
Lynchburg Lemonade
- 1.5 oz Wild Turkey bourbon
- 1.5 oz lemon vodka
- 1 oz triple sec
- 3 oz lemonade
- Top with ginger ale
- Lemon wedge garnish
Shake first 5 ingredients with ice. Strain over fresh ice in a collins glass. Top with ginger ale. Garnish with lemon wedge.
Kentucky Ginger
- 2 oz Wild Turkey bourbon
- 4 oz ginger ale
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Lime wedge garnish
Build over ice in a rocks glass. Add bitters. Garnish with lime wedge.
The ginger ale balances out the Wild Turkey’s bold flavor in each of these cocktails. The lime juice or wedge adds a nice touch of citrus as well. The end result is a refreshing, slightly spicy drink.
Tasting notes: Wild Turkey & ginger ale
So how does the combination of Wild Turkey and ginger ale actually taste? Here are some typical tasting notes:
- Aroma: Spicy oak, ginger, citrus
- Flavor: Sweet ginger, vanilla, black pepper, oak, honey
- Mouthfeel: Smooth, bubbly, medium-bodied
- Finish: Warming ginger and oak linger
The ginger ale meshes nicely with Wild Turkey’s spice, while toning down the heat. The citrus and sugar balance out the oak and pepper. It makes for a flavor combo that’s warming yet refreshing. The carbonation lightens up the bourbon to make it quaffable.
Pros of mixing Wild Turkey and ginger ale
There are several advantages to combining Wild Turkey bourbon with ginger ale:
- Complementary flavors – The ginger, citrus, sugar and bubbles amplify the bourbon’s oak and spice.
- Balanced sweetness – The ginger ale smooths out the bourbon’s bite.
- Easy drinking – The combo is lighter and more refreshing than bourbon on its own.
- Fun cocktails – It mixes into crowd-pleasing drinks like the Kentucky Mule.
- Affordable – Both ingredients are budget-friendly.
The ginger ale helps make the robust Wild Turkey bourbon more palatable as an easy-drinking cocktail ingredient. Their flavor profiles pair nicely together.
Cons of mixing Wild Turkey and ginger ale
There are a few potential downsides to mixing Wild Turkey with ginger ale as well:
- Dilutes flavor – The soda water cuts down the bourbon’s rich intensity.
- High sugar – Ginger ale adds more calories and carbohydrates.
- Artificial taste – Some ginger ales use artificial flavors and sweeteners.
- Bourbon purists – Those who prefer bourbon on the rocks may dislike the addition of ginger ale.
While ginger ale makes Wild Turkey more drinkable, it does compromise the clean, bold bourbon flavor that spirits purists enjoy. The extra sugar and artificial ingredients also turn off some folks. But if you want an easy drinking highball, these downsides aren’t deal breakers.
Best practices for mixing Wild Turkey and ginger ale
Here are some tips for making tasty Wild Turkey and ginger ale drinks at home:
- Use a high quality ginger ale like Fever Tree or Fentimans for pure ginger flavor.
- Mix at a 1:3 bourbon to ginger ale ratio for optimal balance.
- Add a squeeze of fresh citrus like lime, lemon or orange.
- Serve over ice in a tall glass like a collins or copper mug.
- Garnish with citrus wedges or slices.
- Shake with ice for cocktails like the Lynchburg Lemonade.
- Substitute ginger beer for a bolder, less sweet ginger flavor.
Stick to a ratio that doesn’t drown out the bourbon. And use fresh ingredients to make it taste restaurant quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wild Turkey and ginger ale good?
Yes, Wild Turkey and ginger ale combine very well together. The robust, spicy bourbon pairs nicely with the sweet, bubbly ginger ale. The mixer helps mellow out Wild Turkey’s bite, while complementing its vanilla, oak and peppery rye notes. It makes for an easy drinking, crowd-pleasing cocktail combo.
Is Wild Turkey and ginger ale a popular cocktail?
Wild Turkey and ginger ale is a very popular cocktail combination. The highball cocktail called a Kentucky Mule, made with bourbon, ginger ale and lime, is ordered frequently at bars. Other cocktails like the Lynchburg Lemonade also mix Wild Turkey with ginger ale to balance out the bourbon’s strength.
What is the best ratio of Wild Turkey to ginger ale?
The ideal ratio of Wild Turkey to ginger ale is generally 1 part bourbon to 3 parts ginger ale. For example, 2 ounces of Wild Turkey combined with 6 ounces of ginger ale results in a nicely balanced cocktail. The 3:1 ratio allows the ginger ale to mellow the bourbon, while still letting the bourbon flavor shine through.
Should you add lime to Wild Turkey and ginger ale?
Adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice or a lime wedge garnish does complement the Wild Turkey and ginger ale combo nicely. The lime adds a hit of citrus that livens up the ginger flavor, and balances the sweetness. Lime is a key ingredient in bourbon-ginger ale cocktails like the Kentucky Mule for this brightening effect.
Is ginger ale good with other bourbons?
Ginger ale works well with most bourbons besides Wild Turkey, since it helps mellow out the spice and oakiness inherent to bourbon. Bourbons like Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Bulleit and Four Roses all make good partners for ginger ale in cocktails. Ginger ale is a versatile bourbon mixer, which is why it’s used in popular cocktails like the Lynchburg Lemonade.
Conclusion
Wild Turkey and ginger ale are a highly complementary flavor pairing. The spicy bourbon gets smoothed out by the bubbly ginger ale, making for an easy drinking, crowd-pleasing cocktail. Simply mix the two over ice with a bit of lime, or substitute ginger beer for a bolder Moscow Mule variant. While ginger ale does dilute the bourbon’s pure flavor, the sweetness and carbonation help make Wild Turkey far more mixable into balanced cocktails. If you want a refreshing bourbon drink that still packs a punch, reach for the Wild Turkey and ginger ale combo.