What is cold and hot at the same time? Ginger beer! Until a few years ago my only exposure to ginger drinks was Canada Dry ginger ale. Now, Canada Dry was okay, but if I was going to have a soda, Coke was the drink of choice. But over the last few years I found ginger beer. The world of sodas is completely changed now. That hot spicy ginger taste is something completely different. Cock'n Bull is at the top of my list. It is not a drink that you chug because you are thirsty. You drink it because of the spicy ginger flavor.

Recently in my order from Northwoods I bought some ginger beer with cane sugar. It definitely scratches the ginger beer itch. It has a very strong and spicy smell to it when you mix it. The taste is what I was expecting. The ginger flavor is similar to the pickled sliced ginger you find in a sushi restaurant. There is heat on the lips, tongue and throat. Really most is in the front of the mouth. It is also spicy in the nose. Don't take a big sniff just after mixing. There is a little citrus somewhere in the middle. The finish is actually surprisingly sweet.

Northwoods recommends a 5:1 water to syrup ratio. This is the best ratio for this syrup. A satisfying drink can still be made with 6:1 or even 7:1. Beyond that the flavor drops off quickly. My method is to put the syrup in a glass and then pour the soda water over the syrup.

I haven't tried their ginger ale. When I asked them about the difference they told me that the ginger ale does not have the spicy ginger kick that the ginger beer has.

Would I buy another bottle of the syrup? Yes

Would it replace Cock'n Bull ginger beer at the top of my list: No.

Would I rather drink it or Canada Dry ginger ale? Northwoods every day!

Have you found another ginger beer syrup with some bite? Let me know!