What ingredients are in a Rail Splitter?

2 tsp Sugar syrup, 1 oz Lemon Juice, Top Ginger ale

What glass do you use for a Rail Splitter?

A Rail Splitter is traditionally served in a Highball glass.

How many calories are in a Rail Splitter?

A Rail Splitter contains approximately 34 calories per serving.

Rail Splitter

Glass Highball glass

Difficulty Easy

Calories ~34 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

Mix sugar syrup with lemon juice in a tall glass. Fill up with ginger ale.

NonAlcoholic Refreshing Citrus

Rail Splitter is a simple, non-alcoholic sparkling drink combining sugar syrup and fresh lemon juice with ginger ale, served in a tall glass. The combination of lemon and ginger creates a bright, spicy, and acidic profile that is both refreshing and invigorating. It is a clean mocktail that works equally well as a virgin cocktail or as a mixer base.

History & Origins

Rail Splitter is an American non-alcoholic drink whose name evokes the colloquial nickname of Abraham Lincoln, who was famed for his log-splitting ability in his youth. The drink likely dates from the early-to-mid 20th century when temperance culture created demand for interesting non-alcoholic mixed drinks. The specific pairing of lemon, sugar, and ginger ale is a classic combination that appears in many named and unnamed mocktail recipes.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright fresh lemon and zesty ginger ale. Palate: Crisp and acidic with the lemon juice's sharp tartness balanced by the sugar syrup's sweetness and lifted by the ginger ale's spicy effervescence; the ginger note is light and clean rather than intense. Finish: Clean, tart, and refreshing with a fading lemon and ginger warmth.

tart citrus ginger refreshing clean

Pro Tip

Combine the sugar syrup and lemon juice first and stir to dissolve, then add the ginger ale last over ice in the highball glass for maximum fizz and a well-balanced flavour from the outset.

Data verified September 2015

Nutrition Facts →

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