Penzance Cocktail

The Penzance Cocktail is a straightforward, non-alcoholic highball, a simple mix of orange juice and ginger beer. It offers a refreshing balance of sweet citrus and spicy effervescence, making it a solid choice for those seeking a vibrant, alcohol-free option. It is the kind of easygoing drink you can whip up quickly for a crowd or enjoy solo when you want something more interesting than plain soda.

Penzance Cocktail

4.79 from 14 votes

Calories: 112kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 2 oz Orange Juice
▢ 6 oz Ginger Beer

Instructions

▢
Pour the orange juice and Ginger beer into a beer mug with a few ice cubes. and stir well. Garnish and serve.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 112kcal (6%)Carbohydrates: 32g (11%)Sugar: 30g (33%)

Mocktail

Where it came from

This Penzance Cocktail is likely a spontaneous creation, a simple combination of readily available ingredients rather than a specific historical invention. Many non-alcoholic mixed drinks like this emerge from home kitchens or casual bars where a refreshing, spirit-free option is needed. Its name might hint at a coastal or British inspiration, but the drink itself is universal in its appeal.

It falls squarely into the mocktail or non-alcoholic highball category. Think of it as a virgin Moscow Mule or a more robust Shirley Temple without the grenadine. What sets it apart is the direct interplay of sweet citrus and the distinct, spicy kick of ginger beer, offering a more adult flavor profile than many sugary mocktails.

You would find this drink at a casual brunch, a backyard barbecue, or as a thoughtful offering at any bar or restaurant keen on providing good non-alcoholic choices. It is perfect for designated drivers, those abstaining from alcohol, or anyone just looking for a refreshing, flavorful soda alternative.

What it tastes like

On the palate, the Penzance Cocktail opens with the bright, sweet tang of orange juice, a familiar and welcoming citrus note. This quickly gives way to the zesty, peppery heat of the ginger beer in the mid-palate, providing a lively contrast. The finish is clean and refreshing, leaving a pleasant warmth from the ginger and a lingering hint of orange sweetness.

As a mocktail, the Penzance Cocktail contains 0% alcohol by volume. This means it is entirely non-alcoholic, making it a safe and refreshing alternative to a standard beer, which typically ranges from 4-6% ABV, or a traditional cocktail, which can often be 15% ABV or higher.

The technique

Building the Penzance Cocktail is as straightforward as it gets. Start by adding a few ice cubes to a beer mug. Pour in the orange juice first, then gently top with the ginger beer. A quick, gentle stir is all it takes to combine the flavors without losing too much of that essential fizz. Garnish with an orange slice or wedge if you are feeling fancy.

The most important technique here is a gentle stir. Aggressive stirring will knock out the carbonation from the ginger beer, leaving you with a flat drink. Use a bar spoon and stir just enough to integrate the orange juice. You want to preserve those bubbles for a lively, refreshing mouthfeel.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Orange Juice

Use: Freshly squeezed orange juice or a high-quality, not-from-concentrate bottled juice like Florida’s Natural or Simply Orange.
Skip: Frozen concentrate orange juice or anything with added sugars. These often taste artificial and lack freshness.
Why: Orange juice provides the essential sweetness and acidity, balancing the ginger beer’s spice and forming the foundational citrus base of the drink.

Ginger Beer

Use: A quality, spicy ginger beer with real ginger, such as Fever-Tree, Goslings, or Q Mixers. These deliver a noticeable ginger kick.
Skip: Ginger ale. It is too sweet and lacks the intense ginger spice that defines this drink. You will get a much milder, sweeter result.
Why: Ginger beer delivers the primary flavor, the crisp effervescence, and the signature fiery finish that gives the Penzance Cocktail its character.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Spicy Penzance

Add a dash of bitters for complexity.: A few dashes of Angostura bitters can add herbal notes and a touch more spice, giving the drink a more sophisticated edge.

Tropical Penzance

Swap some orange juice for pineapple.: Substitute half the orange juice with pineapple juice for an extra layer of tropical sweetness and tang, creating a different fruit profile.

Berry Penzance

Muddle fresh berries for flavor and color.: Muddle a few raspberries or blackberries in the glass before adding ice and liquids. This adds fresh fruit flavor and a beautiful color.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Orange Juice?

Try pineapple juice or grapefruit juice for a different citrus profile, though the flavor will change significantly.

No Ginger Beer?

Use ginger ale, but be aware it will be sweeter and less spicy. For more kick, add a dash of ginger syrup.

No beer mug?

A tall highball glass or even a large tumbler works just fine for serving this drink.

No ice?

While not ideal, you can make it without ice. Just ensure your ingredients are well chilled before mixing for maximum refreshment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Penzance Cocktail?

The Penzance Cocktail contains 2 oz of orange juice and 6 oz of ginger beer.

Is the Penzance Cocktail alcoholic?

No, the Penzance Cocktail is a non-alcoholic mocktail, containing 0% alcohol by volume.

What kind of orange juice should I use?

For the best taste, use freshly squeezed orange juice or a high-quality, not-from-concentrate bottled orange juice.

Can I make it spicier?

Yes, choose a ginger beer with a stronger ginger kick, or add a few dashes of a ginger shrub or a tiny slice of fresh ginger to the glass.

What is the best way to stir it?

Stir gently with a bar spoon, just enough to combine the ingredients without losing the ginger beer’s carbonation.

Can I add alcohol to it?

Yes, a shot of vodka, gin, or light rum would turn this into an alcoholic highball. Gin or rum would complement the ginger and orange well.

What is a good garnish for the Penzance Cocktail?

A simple orange slice or wedge works well. For extra flair, consider a candied ginger piece or a lime wheel.

Is it like a Mimosa?

No, a Mimosa uses sparkling wine and orange juice. The Penzance Cocktail uses ginger beer, making it non-alcoholic and spicier with a different flavor profile.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read