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The Waysider Cocktail Drink

The Waysider Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Refresh yourself with The Waysider recipe! Blend bourbon, ginger beer, lime juice, sugar syrup, and mint leaves for a delightful seasonal cocktail.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 211

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 4 oz Ginger Beer
  • ½ oz lime juice
  • ½ oz sugar syrup
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Ice cubes
  • Lime wedge or mint sprig - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Highball Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon

Instructions

  • Add Mint: Gently slap the mint leaves and drop them into the glass.
  • Add Lime Juice: Measure and pour ½ oz lime juice into the glass.
  • Add Sugar Syrup: Add ½ oz sugar syrup to the mix.
  • Add Bourbon: Pour 2 oz Bourbon over the ice.
  • Prep Glass: Fill your highball glass with ice cubes.
  • Top with Ginger Beer: Pour 4 oz Ginger Beer over the ingredients.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients.
  • Garnish: Place a lime wedge or mint sprig into the glass for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon, try using rye whiskey for a spicier kick. I've also used dark rum for a sweeter twist, which works well with ginger beer.
  • Ginger Beer: Ginger ale can be a milder substitute if you prefer less spice. It still provides that refreshing ginger flavor but with a softer touch.
  • Sugar Syrup: You can use honey or agave syrup as alternatives to sugar syrup. They add a unique flavor profile while maintaining sweetness.

Making a Pitcher of The Waysider:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of bourbon, 32 oz of ginger beer, 4 oz of lime juice, and 4 oz of sugar syrup.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the mint leaves, bourbon, lime juice, and sugar syrup first. Stir well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled highball glasses, top with ginger beer, give a quick stir, garnish with lime wedges or mint sprigs, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative; these are available and mimic the flavor profile quite well.
  • Proceed As Usual: Replace bourbon with your non-alcoholic substitute and follow the original steps for a refreshing mocktail version.