Print

Homemade Ginger Ale

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A refreshing homemade ginger ale made with fresh ginger syrup, bright citrus, and chilled sparkling water. Adjust the syrup-to-soda ratio to make each glass as sweet, spicy, and gingery as you like.

Ingredients

  • Fresh ginger root, thinly sliced
  • Granulated sugar
  • Water
  • Chilled sparkling water or club soda
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Fresh lime juice, optional
  • Ginger syrup
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon or lime slices, optional for serving
  • Fresh mint, optional for serving

Instructions

  1. Wash and thoroughly scrub the fresh ginger, removing any dry or damaged areas. Slice the ginger thinly to expose more surface area.
  2. Combine the sliced ginger, sugar, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
  3. Reduce the heat and gently simmer the ginger syrup for 10–15 minutes.
  4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the ginger steep for 20–30 minutes. For stronger ginger flavor, extend the steeping time.
  5. Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean container and discard the ginger pieces. Cool completely, then refrigerate until chilled.
  6. To assemble each ginger ale, fill a glass with ice and add chilled ginger syrup and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Slowly add chilled sparkling water using approximately 1 part ginger syrup to 3–4 parts sparkling water.
  7. Stir gently to preserve the carbonation. Taste and add more ginger syrup if additional sweetness and spice are desired. Garnish with lemon or lime slices and fresh mint if desired, then serve immediately.

Notes

  • For extra-spicy ginger ale, use additional fresh ginger or extend the syrup steeping time.
  • Add extra fresh lemon juice for a brighter, tarter drink, or substitute fresh lime juice for a sharper citrus flavor.
  • For honey ginger ale, replace part of the granulated sugar with honey and stir it into the warm syrup until dissolved.
  • For mint ginger ale, gently crush a few fresh mint leaves in the serving glass before adding the ice, syrup, and sparkling water.
  • Keep the ginger syrup and sparkling water refrigerated separately and combine them immediately before serving for maximum carbonation.
  • Store ginger syrup in a clean airtight bottle or jar in the refrigerator and use within about 2 weeks for best quality.
  • Use well-chilled, freshly opened sparkling water and stir the finished drink gently to prevent excessive loss of carbonation.
  • This quick ginger ale is made with carbonated water and ginger syrup and is not a traditionally fermented ginger beer.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/homemade-ginger-ale/