This homemade ginger ale is so easy to make and so delicious. You only need a few simple ingredients and it doesn’t have many steps either. It tastes even better than the store-bought kind most people are used to. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to prepare. What’s even better is how you can enjoy quite a large amount from only a small amount of ingredients.
Ginger ale has its origins in Ireland and Canada. The Canadian version was invented in the early 1900s by a chemist/pharmacist named John McLaughlin. This version would become the more commonly known ginger ale and would become patented under the Canada Dry brand name. Being Canadian and Irish myself, I can’t help but feel a special connection to this iconic drink. While the classic name brand version is tasty, the homemade version has its own unique flavour with a more natural and potent taste.
In the warmer weather, this homemade ginger ale is super refreshing. It’s a fun way to quench your thirst in the summer or spring with a homemade pop/soda. The ginger syrup is made in a matter of minutes with just ginger, lime, water, and sugar. The best part is that the syrup smells amazing while it’s simmering. Once it’s made, you can store it in the fridge and use it to make many glasses of tasty ginger ale.
What do I need to make ginger ale?
- Ginger — One piece of ginger root that is about 4 oz in weight or about 6 inches long. Peeled and thinly sliced.
- Lime — You can substitute it for lemon, if desired. You can also simply use lime juice (2 tbsps) instead.
- Water
- Sugar — You can swap some or all of it for honey or other sweeteners, based on your preference. You can also adjust the amount to your taste too.
- Sparkling/Carbonated water
How to make ginger ale:
1. Peel and slice the ginger into small thin pieces. Zest the lime (optional) and juice it. Add the ginger, lime zest (if using) and juice, water, and sugar to a pot.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove the pot from the heat. Strain the ginger out and pour the syrup into a container.
4. In a large (~2 cups/500 ml) glass, add 4-6 tablespoons of ginger syrup. Then fill it up with the carbonated water. Mix it with a spoon. Add ice and other garnishes, if desired. Store leftover syrup in the fridge.
Notes:
- You can adjust the ratio of syrup to sparkling water based on personal preference. Simply add more syrup to make it stronger, or more water to make it less intense.
- You can store the ginger syrup in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
* Adapted from this recipe.
More Sweet Recipes:
Ginger Ale
Description
Delicious homemade ginger ale. Made with just a few simple ingredients and in a few easy steps. It's so refreshing, especially in the warm weather. You'll get many glasses of tasty ginger ale from this recipe.
Ingredients
Ginger Syrup
Ginger Ale
Instructions
-
Peel and slice the ginger into small thin pieces. Zest the lime (optional) and juice it. Add the ginger, lime zest (if using) and juice, water, and sugar to a pot.
You can easily peel the ginger with a spoon, rather than a traditional peeler. -
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
-
Remove the pot from the heat. Strain the ginger out and pour syrup into a container.
-
In a large (~2 cups/500 ml) glass, add 4-6 tablespoons of ginger syrup. Then fill it up with the carbonated water. Mix it with a spoon. Add ice and other garnishes, if desired. Store leftover syrup in the fridge.
Note
- Feel free to adjust the sugar level to your liking. You can cut the amount or add more. You can also substitute all or some of it for honey or other sweeteners.
- You can adjust the ratio of syrup to carbonated water based on personal preference. Simply add more syrup to make it stronger, or more water to make it less intense.
- You can store the ginger syrup in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
