What an ad!, from drpeppermuseum.com

[digg=http://digg.com/food_drink/How_to_Choose_the_Right_Ginger_Ale]Schweppes, Canada Dry, Seagram’s, the list goes on. But what are your options when it comes to the refreshing carbonated beverage that is ginger ale? Based on some of these ads, I would pick Schweppes, hands down (particularly for Schweppervescence). Don’t forget to click the last image to see an advertisement video unique to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Dry vs. Golden

• Dry ginger ale was developed during Prohibition when ginger ale was used as a mixer for alcoholic beverages as the strong flavor of golden ginger ale was undesirable. Dry ginger ale quickly surpassed golden ginger ale in popularity. Golden ginger ale, in comparison, is dark colored and strong flavored. Today golden ginger ale is usually a regional drink. Seagram’s, Schweppes, and Canada Dry are all dry ginger ales.

Ginger Ale was popular during Prohibition. from metnews.com

Cane Sugar vs. High Fructose Corn Syrup

• Basically, natural vs. artificial. Smaller beverage companies more often use cane sugar. It has greater marketing appeal too.

Ale vs. Beer

• Ale is traditionally fermented by yeast from the top. In the case of ginger ale vs. ginger beer, it seems as if the main difference is in strength. Ginger beer is more of a micro-brew and tends to have a stronger taste.

Regular vs. Diet

• Regular all the way. Diet is just lacking quality sugar, an integral part of the original recipe.

Spice

• The mainstream ginger ales are not very spicy. Some of the lesser-known brands give quick a kick. Too much ginger will overpower your tastebuds and ruin the experience.

Great marketing, from drpeppermuseum.com

Additional Flavors

• Raspberry, cranberry, green tea, etc. I like the variety, but sometimes the flavors just taste artificial and mask the ginger. Nice in the summertime.

Mixer

• Goes well with most types of liquor, especially gin and whiskey. I repeat, especially whiskey. Sometimes a non-alcoholic substitute for champagne. This is how dry ginger ale became popular during the Prohibition era.

Stomach

• Calms the stomach and eases motion sickness. Good on airplanes and sick days. Just don’t drink too much or the sugar will screw with your system.

And…

Click image to watch amazing Schweppes video, from schhh.ee (Estonia)

Go Baltic states!