When it comes to refreshing drinks, I think I may be a tad lemonade obsessed. I’ve already shared a herby Lebanese mint lemonade and zingy ginger lemonade. But this time I’m making something a little different – homemade ginger ale. While this ginger ale recipe contains most of the same elements as ginger lemonade, it’s lighter and contains far less lemon. It is a delicious healthy soft drink alternative. Better yet, it’s incredibly easy to adapt. Make it stronger, weaker, sweeter, turn it into a sugar-free ginger ale recipe. Or experiment with several flavored options like green tea, berries, and more! Want to enjoy more zingy ginger treats? You may enjoy soothing ginger tea, crystallized ginger pieces, or even pineapple ginger juice!
What is ginger ale?
Ginger ale, despite its name, is alcohol-free. Ginger ale is a carbonated soft drink originating in 1850s Ireland and made more popular in Canada in the early 1900s. There are two main types of ginger ale. The first is the “golden style” and the second is the “dry style” (also called the “pale style”). Golden style is made with the process of fermentation (like kombucha). It produces a deep honey-golden color and strong ginger flavor, sweet to the taste, and with natural yeast carbonation. In comparison, dry ginger ale is a mixture of ginger extract/flavoring with soda water and is far paler. In many commercial versions, it combines carbonated water with ginger flavoring (natural or artificial) and sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. The ginger flavoring itself may also contain spices, fruits, and ingredients such as lemon/lime, citric acid, etc. For this homemade ginger ale recipe, I’m preparing a homemade version of dry ginger ale with real ginger and an unrefined sweetener. Once prepared, you can enjoy the drink as a soft drink or mix it for various cocktails and fruit punches.
Is ginger ale good for you?
Ginger is beneficial in many ways, with anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits. Ginger ale is a popular remedy for indigestion, motion sickness, and sore throats. It also has several other benefits. You can make your own ginger ale at home, adjusting the amount of ginger and sugar to your taste. This is a healthy, natural beverage.
The ingredients
You need just three ingredients and a few cups of water for this homemade ginger ale with real ginger.
Concentrated Ginger Water
Ginger: You’ll need plenty of fresh ginger root for this. Water: I like to use filtered water, but tap water is fine too.
To Make Ginger Ale
Sparkling water: You can use sparkling water, club soda, or seltzer. You may also be able to use a soda stream machine to carbonate the beverage. Sweetener: I use honey, but you could use other granulated (like raw cane sugar) or liquid (like agave) options. It’s also possible to use a simple syrup made with your sugar of choice (refined, unrefined, or even sugar-free).
For a sugar-free ginger ale recipe, use your favorite sugar-free sweetener like erythritol, monk fruit, etc.
Lemon juice: Meyer lemons are excellent for their sweeter flavor. However, any lemon will work. Lime juice will also work.
Optional add-ins
There are several ways you can experiment with adding extra flavor to this homemade ginger ale recipe. The easiest way to do this is to add extra ingredients to the ginger water while it simmers. A few ideas include:
Herbs: Some mint, basil, lavender, or rosemary would also work well to infuse the homemade ginger ale with extra flavor. I like to serve mine with a few mint leaves in the glass. Green tea: With either loose leaves or tea bags. Add them to the ginger water infusion in the last 5 minutes, then remove. Berries: Blackberries, raspberries, etc. Add a large handful to the pan while simmering and gently mash to extract flavor. Peach: Use a regular or white peach and allow it to simmer in the ginger water. Cranberry: Use some cranberry juice in place of water in the ginger water. Spices: There are several spices you could experiment with, such as cardamom, ground clove, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, etc. You could also add a pinch of turmeric (with freshly cracked black pepper) or cayenne to boost the health benefits.
Top tips and notes
Adjust the ratios to taste. Add more or less ginger water, sweetener, lemon, etc., to tweak the homemade ginger ale recipe to your taste. Then take a note to know for next time. “Cheat” version: You can somewhat simplify the process by turning the ginger water into a ginger syrup (with the addition of the sugar). That can then simply be mixed with the carbonated water and served with a lemon or lime wedge; voila! Note that the ratio of syrup to carbonated water will change. Using leftover ginger solids: Rather than discarding them, you could add them to baked goods, smoothies, yogurt, ice cream, or even turned into candied ginger.
More refreshing drink recipes
Bloody Mary (Classic or Virgin) Homemade cherry juice Peach lemonade Easy strawberry milk How to Make Lemon Water
You might also enjoy browsing this compiled list of 40+ refreshing summer drinks! For a more concentrated flavor, mince or grate the ginger. Transfer the ginger and water to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover for 30 minutes. At this point, you’ll have about 4 cups of concentrated ginger water. You can use it all now OR freeze some for later usage. Then, combine all the ingredients for the homemade ginger ale into a large pitcher and stir. Finally, give it a taste and adjust any elements (sweetener, lemon, ginger water, water) to your liking. I recommend using a 1:2 ratio of ginger water to club soda/sparkling water. Then sweeten the homemade ginger ale to taste and add a splash of lemon or lime juice. Store: Ultimately, the ginger ale stores for as long as the carbonation lasts and should be kept in the fridge.
Bourbon Vodka Tequila Whiskey Beer
You can also use it to create several kinds of cocktails, including
Shirley Temple Whiskey Highball Shandy Moscow Mule Pimm’s Cup Kentucky lemonade Dark & Stormy
If you try this ginger ale recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
