If you love ginger ale, you should definitely try making it at home! You’ll likely fall in love with the fresh, bold flavor of homemade ginger ale! The recipe is much simpler and easier than you might think, with just ginger and sugar as the main ingredients. I like to add a few spices for extra depth, but they’re optional and easy to adjust based on your taste or what you have on hand. Ginger is also known for its many health benefits, and this refreshing drink is a great way to hydrate and refresh your body from the inside out!
Ingredients
For Ginger Ale Syrup
- Fresh ginger: 10.6 oz (300 g), sliced
- Sugar: 10.6 oz (300 g) or about 1½ cups
- Water: 1¼ cups (300 ml)
- Cardamom seeds: ½ teaspoon (or 2 whole pods)
- Cloves: 10–12
- Cinnamon sticks: 2
- Lemon: 1 medium
For Ginger Ale Soda
- Ginger ale syrup: 5–6 Tbsp
- Seltzer water: 12 oz (355 ml)
- Lemon wedge: as needed
- Ice: as needed
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the ginger
Wash the ginger thoroughly and pat it dry. Slice the ginger thinly without peeling the skin. A slicer works well, but a knife is fine too.
2. Macerate the ginger with sugar
In a mixing bowl or pot, combine the sliced ginger and sugar. Mix well, then let it sit for about 1 hour, or until the ginger releases its juice and the slices start to curl. (You can also leave it overnight.)
3. Simmer the ginger syrup
Transfer the ginger and its juice to a pot (if not already in one). Add the water, cardamom seeds, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to low and simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
4. Add lemon juice
Squeeze in the juice of one whole lemon and continue simmering for another 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. Strain and store the syrup
Let the mixture cool slightly, then strain through a fine mesh strainer to extract the syrup. Transfer the syrup to a clean, sanitized container and store in the refrigerator.
6. Make ginger ale
To serve, mix 5–6 tablespoon ginger syrup with 12 oz (355 ml) seltzer water. Add ice and a lemon wedge if desired, and enjoy.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t waste the ginger pulp: The leftover ginger after straining is still full of flavor. Use it to make ginger tea, or finely chop it and add it to gingerbread, muffins, or cookies.
- Storage: The ginger syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1–2 weeks. Always use a clean spoon to keep it fresh longer.
FAQ
A. Absolutely. The spices are optional. You can make a simple ginger ale using only ginger, sugar, water, and lemon.
A. It’s more bold and gingery than store-bought ginger ale. You can easily adjust the strength by adding more or less syrup when mixing with seltzer water.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Homemade Ginger Ale
Ingredients
For ginger ale syrup
- 10.6 oz Fresh ginger (300g) / sliced
- 10.6 oz Sugar (300g or 1/1/2cups)
- 1¼ cups Water (300ml)
- ½ teaspoon Cardamom seeds (or 2 whole pods)
- 10-12 Cloves
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- 1 Lemon (medium size)
For ginger ale soda
- 5-6 tablespoon Ginger ale syrup
- 12 oz Seltzer water (355ml)
- Lemon wedge as needed
- Ice as needed
Instructions
- Prepare the gingerWash the ginger thoroughly and pat it dry. Slice the ginger thinly without peeling the skin. A slicer works well, but a knife is fine too.
- Macerate the ginger with sugarIn a mixing bowl or pot, combine the sliced ginger and sugar. Mix well, then let it sit for about 1 hour, or until the ginger releases its juice and the slices start to curl. (You can also leave it overnight.)
- Simmer the ginger syrupTransfer the ginger and its juice to a pot (if not already in one). Add the water, cardamom seeds, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to low and simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
- Add lemon juiceSqueeze in the juice of one whole lemon and continue simmering for another 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Strain and store the syrupLet the mixture cool slightly, then strain through a fine mesh strainer to extract the syrup. Transfer the syrup to a clean, sanitized container and store in the refrigerator.
- Make ginger aleTo serve, mix 5–6 tablespoon ginger syrup with 12 oz (355 ml) seltzer water. Add ice and a lemon wedge if desired, and enjoy.
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