Ingredients
- 3 oz Ginger Beer
- 1 oz Vodka
- .5 oz Lime Juice
Instructions
Mix the Base:
- Pour 1 oz of vodka and 0.5 oz of lime juice into a highball glass filled with ice.
Top with Ginger Beer:
- Fill the glass with 3 oz of ginger beer.
Garnish:
- Garnish with lime wedges for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This drink is a modern creation, clearly inspired by popular culture. As a tribute to a character, it was likely born in a home bar or at a themed event rather than emerging from a classic cocktail establishment. It fits squarely into the contemporary trend of drinks named for pop culture references, designed for fans to enjoy.
The Remembering Rue Cocktail is a close cousin to the Moscow Mule, sitting firmly in the highball family. Its core components of a base spirit, lime, and ginger beer put it in the company of drinks like the Dark ‘n’ Stormy or the Kentucky Mule. The primary difference here is the choice of vodka for a neutral base, allowing the ginger and lime to take center stage without any rum funk or bourbon spice.
You’d typically find or serve this drink at relaxed gatherings, backyard barbecues, or during warm weather. It’s perfectly suited for a casual brunch or as a refreshing option at a themed party. It’s not a spirit-forward sipper for a dimly lit bar, but a bright, easy-drinking choice for when you want something light and fun.
What it tastes like
On the first sip, you get a bright, zesty hit from the lime, quickly followed by the distinct, spicy warmth of the ginger beer. The vodka remains largely in the background, providing a clean alcoholic kick without adding its own flavor profile. The finish is crisp and effervescent, with a lingering ginger spice that cleanses the palate, making it quite refreshing.
With 1 oz of 80 proof (40% ABV) vodka in a 4.5 oz drink, the Remembering Rue Cocktail clocks in around 8.9% ABV. This makes it significantly lighter than a typical spirit-forward cocktail, which might be 15-20% ABV or higher. It’s more in line with a stronger craft beer, offering a pleasant buzz without being overly potent.
The technique
Building this drink is about as simple as it gets. Start with a highball glass full of fresh, solid ice. Pour in your vodka and fresh lime juice first. Give it a quick, gentle stir to chill and combine those two ingredients. Then, top the glass with your ginger beer. A final, very light stir or swizzle with a bar spoon will integrate everything without losing too much fizz.
The most important technique here is to avoid over-stirring once the carbonated ginger beer is added. Vigorous stirring will flatten the drink, killing its effervescence and making it taste dull. A gentle pass with a bar spoon, just enough to incorporate the ingredients, is all it needs to maintain its lively fizz and bright character.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Vodka
- Use
- Any good quality, neutral vodka works well here. Absolut, Tito’s, or Ketel One are reliable choices that provide a clean, smooth base without imparting any off-flavors. Aim for an 80-proof spirit.
- Skip
- Skip flavored vodkas unless you’re intentionally trying to create a specific variation. Vanilla, citrus, or berry vodkas will clash with the lime and ginger, muddying the intended flavor profile.
- Why
- Vodka is the silent workhorse in this drink. It provides the alcoholic backbone without competing with the vibrant flavors of the lime and ginger beer. Its neutrality allows those two ingredients to shine.
Ginger Beer
- Use
- Opt for a quality ginger beer with a good, spicy kick. Brands like Fever-Tree, Gosling’s, or Q Mixers offer excellent spice and effervescence. Avoid overly sweet versions.
- Skip
- Do not substitute ginger ale for ginger beer. Ginger ale is much sweeter and lacks the intense, fiery ginger flavor that is crucial for this drink’s character. It will result in a flabby, less interesting cocktail.
- Why
- Ginger beer is the star of the show. It provides the bulk of the drink’s volume, its signature spicy flavor, and all its refreshing fizz. Without good ginger beer, this is just vodka and lime water.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Spiced Rue
- Add a dash of aromatic complexity
- Introduce 2 dashes of Angostura bitters to the glass with the vodka and lime. The bitters add a layer of baking spice and depth without overpowering the ginger.
Fruity Rue
- A touch of berry sweetness
- Muddle 2-3 fresh raspberries or blackberries in the glass before adding ice and other ingredients. This adds a subtle fruit note and a lovely color.
Gin Rue
- A botanical twist
- Swap the vodka for a London Dry gin. The gin’s juniper and botanical notes will add a different layer of complexity, making it a more herbaceous highball.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Ginger ale can work in a pinch, but be aware the drink will be sweeter and lack the signature spicy kick. It won’t be the same experience.
Fresh lemon juice is a good substitute, offering a similar tartness, though with a slightly different citrus profile.
White rum or even a light gin can stand in for vodka, though they will introduce their own flavor notes to the drink.
Any tall, straight-sided glass like a Collins glass or even a pint glass will work. The key is enough capacity for ice and liquid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Remembering Rue Cocktail?
A Remembering Rue Cocktail is made with 1 oz vodka, 0.5 oz lime juice, and 3 oz ginger beer, typically garnished with a lime wedge.
Is the Remembering Rue Cocktail strong?
No, it’s a relatively light cocktail, usually around 8.9% ABV. It’s less potent than many other cocktails and comparable to a strong beer.
What does the Remembering Rue Cocktail taste like?
It’s a refreshing, fizzy drink with a prominent spicy ginger flavor, brightened by tart lime, and a clean alcoholic backbone from the vodka.
What kind of vodka should I use?
A good quality, neutral vodka is best. You want something clean that won’t interfere with the ginger and lime flavors.
What’s the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale?
Ginger beer is brewed and fermented, giving it a much stronger, spicier, and often less sweet ginger flavor. Ginger ale is typically carbonated water flavored with ginger extract and is much milder and sweeter.
Can I make a big batch?
Yes, you can pre-mix the vodka and lime juice. When serving, pour the mixture over ice and top with ginger beer in individual glasses to maintain fizz.
Is this drink sweet?
It has a balanced sweetness from the ginger beer, which is offset by the tart lime juice and the spice of the ginger. It’s not overly sweet.
What garnish works best?
A simple lime wedge or wheel is the classic and most effective garnish, adding a fresh citrus aroma and visual appeal.
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