Ingredients
- 1 oz Vodka
- Ginger Ale
- 1 Lime
Instructions
Pour Ingredients:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add 1 oz of vodka.
- Top off with ginger ale.
Garnish:
- Squeeze a lime wedge over the drink and drop it into the glass.
Serve:
- Stir gently and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the amount of ginger ale to suit your taste preference.
- For an extra twist, try adding a splash of cranberry juice or a few mint leaves.
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
No one's quite sure who named this one, but its components are as American as a backyard barbecue. It's a classic highball concept, likely cobbled together in countless kitchens and dive bars across the country whenever someone had a bottle of vodka and a can of ginger ale chilling.
This drink sits firmly in the highball family, a close cousin to the Vodka Ginger and a distant relative of the Moscow Mule, minus the copper mug and the extra ginger kick. It’s essentially a no-frills version of what you might already be mixing at home, stripped down to its bare essentials.
You're not ordering this at a fancy cocktail lounge, and that's the point. This is a backyard BBQ staple, a late-night house party go-to, or the kind of easy pour you make when you're just kicking back and don't feel like a complicated production. It’s for when the vibe is strictly chill.
What it tastes like
Expect a bright, fizzy experience with a gentle kick of ginger and a sharp citrus bite. The vodka mostly plays a supporting role, letting the sweet and spicy ginger ale do most of the talking, with the lime cutting through to keep things from getting too syrupy. It’s light, refreshing, and goes down easy.
With just one ounce of standard 80-proof vodka, this drink typically lands somewhere around 6-8% ABV, depending on how much ginger ale you pour. That puts it in the same ballpark as a decent craft beer or a stronger hard seltzer. Don't let the innocent taste fool you, it adds up.
The technique
This isn't rocket science. Grab a highball glass, fill it with ice. Pour in your vodka, then top it off with ginger ale. Give that lime wedge a good squeeze over the top before dropping it in. A quick, gentle stir with a bar spoon, and you're done. No fancy shaking required.
The key here is the lime. Don't just wave it over the glass. Really get in there and squeeze out all that juice. That fresh citrus brightens everything up and keeps the ginger ale from tasting too sweet or flat. It’s the difference between a decent drink and one you’ll actually want to finish.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Vodka
- Use
- Something clean, not too harsh. Tito's, Absolut, Smirnoff will do the trick.
- Skip
- Anything flavored, or bottom-shelf stuff that tastes like rubbing alcohol.
- Why
- It's the spirit base, but it needs to be smooth enough not to fight the ginger ale. You want it to disappear into the background.
Ginger Ale
- Use
- Canada Dry, Schweppes, or a quality craft ginger ale for more punch.
- Skip
- Ginger beer. Too strong, changes the drink entirely. Diet versions if you want to lose some flavor.
- Why
- This is half the drink. It brings the sweetness, the fizz, and that crucial ginger spice. Don't cheap out or go flat.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Dirty Trash
- A little extra kick
- Add a splash of dark rum or a dash of Angostura bitters for a deeper, more complex flavor profile without making it too fancy.
Spicy Trash
- Turn up the heat
- Muddle a few slices of fresh jalapeño or add a small dash of ginger liqueur for a warming, peppery edge.
Fruity Trash
- A summer twist
- Muddle a few raspberries or a slice of peach in the glass before adding ice and the other ingredients for a sweeter, fruit-forward version.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Gin or Light Rum will give you a similar base, though with different nuances.
Lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7-Up) with a splash of ginger syrup will get you close.
A lemon wedge works fine. It'll be a bit sharper, but still good.
Any tall glass, like a pint glass or even a sturdy water glass, will do the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a White Trash?
A White Trash is made with vodka, ginger ale, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
Is a White Trash a strong drink?
Not particularly. With one ounce of vodka, it's typically around the strength of a craft beer, making it a relatively light and refreshing option.
What kind of vodka should I use?
A clean, neutral vodka works best. You don't need anything top-shelf, but avoid anything harsh that will stand out too much.
Can I use ginger beer instead of ginger ale?
You can, but it will make a different drink. Ginger beer is spicier and less sweet, giving you something closer to a Moscow Mule.
What's the best way to garnish a White Trash?
A simple lime wedge squeezed and dropped into the glass is all you need. Keep it simple.
Is this drink sweet?
It leans sweet due to the ginger ale, but the fresh lime juice balances it out with a tart, refreshing edge.
What's the difference between a White Trash and a Vodka Ginger?
Not much, really. The White Trash typically implies the addition of lime, making it a touch brighter and more balanced.
Can I make a batch of White Trash for a party?
Absolutely. Just pre-mix your vodka and ginger ale in a pitcher, then add lime wedges and ice to individual glasses as you serve.
More Like This
More drinks in the same family.
I’m definitely sharing this one!
Refreshing and delicious!
Thanks for making this so easy!
Delicious and easy to make!
This White Trash cocktail is surprisingly delicious! Love the quirky name and tasty mix. Cheers!
Wow, the White Trash cocktail is surprisingly tasty! Love the quirky name and unique flavors.
Wow, the White Trash cocktail is surprisingly tasty and fun to make! Cheers to creativity!
Wow, White Trash cocktail is surprisingly delicious! Love the quirky name and unique flavor combo.
Wow, the White Trash cocktail is surprisingly delicious with a quirky name! Cheers to creativity!
Awsome!!