Homemade Ginger Syrup for ginger ale
recipe from Imbibe Magazine
makes 2 cups ginger syrup
2 cups coarsely chopped ginger
2 cups granulated sugar
6 cups water
Place chopped ginger in a food processor (or blender in a pinch) and pulverize until well chopped.
Place ginger, sugar, and water in a large stock pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 1 hour to 1 hour and a half, until the liquid has reduced down by more than half. You’re going from 6 cups of liquid to 2 cups. The boiling syrup will become glossy and silky as it cooks down and nears completion.
Remove syrup from the flame and strain twice through a cheese cloth, or fine mesh strainer, into a large bowl. Let syrup cool slightly before pouring into a bottle to store. Cool completely before incorporating into drinks.
This site tells you that you can make candied ginger from the cooked ginger. Check it out!
Ginger Ale
1 cup club soda
3 tablespoons ginger syrup (or to taste)
lime wedge
dash of bitters (optional)
ice
Combine all ingredients in a glass over ice. Stir with spoon to incorporate. Enjoy immediately. If you wanted to add bourbon… that would be delicious.
bamboochick
You don’t state how much Ginger to use.
Alex
This looks amazing. Do you refrigerate this for storage?
Johanna
I know you posted this recipe about 2 years ago and I’m just behind the times. But still.
I am making this delightful beverage to serve at my wedding during the cocktail hour. I’ve practiced and it’s wonderful. I can’t wait to serve it at my wedding in May! The syrup is perfect to prepare in advance, allowing me to have a homemade touch to my wedding without added last-minute stress. Thanks for being awesome 2 years ago. (And still continuing this trend today!)
Anne
Hi Joy, I made this for a friend who is undergoing chemo. She mentioned that ginger helps with nausea, so I whipped up a bottle for her. She loves it! She adds it to her tea or to club soda and says it has been a great help. Thanks!
Kate
Joy – how long will the syrup last in a jar in the fridge? Days/weeks/months?
Crystal From Sew Creative Blog
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I bought a Soda Stream recently and wanted to make ginger ale as soon as I got it home. I found your tutorial and the results were delicious. Thank you so much.
I did my Weekly Inspiration blog post today and the theme was Cold Remedies. I included your ginger ale syrup. I’d love for you to take a look:
http://www.sewcreativeblog.com/124/
Best Wishes,
Crystal
Nicole
How long will this syrup keep for?
joythebaker
several weeks.
Heather
How long will this keep and does it need to be refrigerated? Can I use less sugar?
I’m thinking this might make a good Christmas gift. Thanks.
joythebaker
Several weeks. You can use less sugar if you want to…but why would you want to do that ;)
Amy
So I just made my first batch of this. After much simmering, I finally got the liquid down to almost exactly two cups of syrup. Made my hubs a nice tall glass of ginger/lime soda and low and behold, the syrup seems to burn in our throats a bit. What could this be? It’s definitely tasty but we are flummoxed by the burning sensation. Any ideas?
Christine @ Take With Food
yess!!! long overdue but I finally made myself a ginger ale last night :) the best part? the leftover ginger syrup in the fridge that I plan to use for more ginger ales… and some ginger lemonade! (http://takewithfoodblog.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/ginger-lemonade/) — let me know what you think!
Jessica H
Might I just recommend one part ginger syrup, one part cucumber infused vodka and 1/2 part lime juice. It’s bonkers amazing.
Sweet Philosopher
Its like you know what im craving and then you put up a kick ass recipe! Looking tasty
Ola
What is Club soda? I’m afraid it is not availible in my country ;(
joythebaker
by club soda i just mean soda water. water with carbonation.
Ine @ Honey, are you eating enough vegetables?
Wow! This is awesome. I will definitely try this at home…
Ashley
Ginger ale is one of those things you just never think of as being able to be made at home in your own kitchen. Thank you for this!
Andria Sheridan
Joy,
Thank you for this! This is a thank you long over due, as I make this ginger syrup nearly every week. I have become sort of famous within my extended family for my ability to make homemade gingerale. I tell them everytime it is YOU, it is all YOU that made it possible.
Beth
I love this! I always have a supply now, and even more than ginger ale, I like to make hot ginger lemonade! I squeeze some lemon juice in a huge mug, add a drizzle of this syrup, and top it all off with hot water to fill the mug! I don’t do tea or coffee, so this is my hot drink of choice:)
Libby
I’ve been making ginger syrup/ginger ale …replacing a spendy and unhealthy diet Vernor’s addiction :)! Use about this recipe except I add a couple of cinnamon sticks and a few whole cloves, reducing sugar by about 1/3. It makes what to me is a spicy “Vernor’s”. And for an adult drink, add a bit of Rum with water – hot or cold!
The only downside is that the syrup seems to lose its zip quickly – more than 3-4 days. I started making just enough to last 2-3 days. It is not that labor intensive and I work from home.
ginny lee
I made this and have already used it twice…once in a beverage :) and also as a drizzle on top of my pear tart. delish.
Jean
This was SO easy and delicious, though I did stand by the stove for two hours due to my innate fear of sugar overflowing the pot.
I replaced the lime with a lemon and half the sugar with brown sugar, which gave it a really nice, deep flavour.
Thanks for an amazing recipe!
Aurora
Joy, this is like a billion degrees of awesomeness. So awesome that it goes into my top 5 list of JTB goodies, right up there with Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread, Red Velvet BW Cookies, Spinach and Potato Breakfast Hash, and Parker House Rolls. And 6th and & 7th places should go to Hot Fudge Sundae Cupcakes and No bake Orange and Cream Pie.
For some reason, every other recipes that I’ve tried from you has not turned out as good. Not that it’s your fault- I think I just need to either try them again or understand my own tastes better before I try them,
Allison
Hi Joy,
How long will the syrup keep? And does it need to be stored in the fridge?
Thanks!
Allison
Kasey
Hey Joy! I’m having a dinner party this weekend and wanted to make this. Can it be made ahead and put in one of those big glass containers with a tap on it? I was going to set up a “drink station” with the dispenser, but then remembered that you say to pour the syrup over the lime. Thoughts?
Brooke
Thank you Joy, I needed Gingerale today (not feelin grand) and remembered this post! It is on the stove reducing :)
Sy from SweetSweeterSweetest
Oh, I also had a thought – for those who are in the US, if you visit a local Asian Grocery: The ginger available there is often quite a bit more reasonably priced! ProTip! =D
Sy from SweetSweeterSweetest
We burned through our first batch, so I made some more! I decided to add the same amount of ginger to this batch, but far less sugar, and a bit less water. What resulted was a very watery syrup that was very spicy, and not very sweet. Perfect for hubbsters and I, as we like it spicy! NOM NOM!
Monica
I’m making this right now and the boiling ginger smells delicious! The whole house smells like it now :) I’m wondering though if the syrup needs to be refrigerated after or just store at room temp?
Sarah
Here’s the story: It’s like freakin’ two in the morning. I’m thinking I’m super woman, listening to Gillian Welch, making garland for my sisters baby shower and simultaneously monitoring a bubbling pot of this divine smelling brew. I feel good. I feel righteous. I hate crepe paper. She deserves better. This syrup is one of the most satisfying things I’ve made in a long-ass time. Keep on keepin’ on Joy. We’re feeling it.
Alexis
Made this last week and impressed everyone I know…well at least my husband and that counts as double points. I am so glad my friend introduced me to this blog…I am inspired to experiment and try new recipes. That’s huge for me because I use to be a self proclaimed non-cook. But I am loving the creativity and yummy-ness of these recipes! Thanks and keep on keeping on!
Mary
Absolutely much much better than Canada Dry! LOL
This is what real ginger ale should taste like. A big wow!
Sy from SweetSweeterSweetest
I totally made this earlier last week, you inspired me, thank you so much! I ended up tripling the recipe, it took SO LONG and made the house humid, but the SMELL! It was fantastic! Also the dash of bitters was GREAT, it really made it!
Thanks again!
Elizabeth @ Coppertop Kitchen
Hi there Joy! I’ve been using my ginger syrup in iced tea lately, and yesterday morning, I put it with some watermelon chunks and lime in the blender and it made the BEST breakfast juice! YUM!
I also did the classic, with lime, bitters, and bourbon for the 4th of July. Friends were happy. :-)
nora
i made the syrup with out sugar so it was basically a ginger concentrate and then made the drink with a twist of lemon ( didn’t have lime ) and sweetened it with stevia … it was Deeeelicious and i couldn’t have enough of it cause my 5 years old son drank half of it lol … thanks joy for the delightful drink
Jessica @ bake me away!
My friend and I made ginger ale once and it was the bee’s knees! We didn’t invite limes or bitters, though…I like the sound of your party even more.
Anne
Genius!
Julie
I can’t wait to try this! How long does the ginger syrup keep once you cool it?
Karine
what an amazing drink!
and might i add, i love all your cooking utensils and glassware.
if only i could be as kitsch-y as you!
Francesca
Beautiful! I used the syrup in a hot ginger toddy, and it was amazing! Merci!
joythebaker
that sounds SO GOOD!!
MyCoCreations
Sounds soooo good, definitely going to try…thanks for sharing!
Jean
whoa, this is such a great idea! I absolutely LOVE ginger ale, but would you believe that it isn’t sold here? I definitely need to give this a go, especially because it looks so simple. But I always have this fear of working with sugar over the stovetop…like I’m expecting it to explode or something…
molly
Ohh yum! This sounds perfect for a hot summer day. It looks so refreshing!
Samantha
just made this. SO. FREAKING. AMAZING.
tori
making it and putting it in my Kentucky mule~can’t wait!
Lindsay
Help! I made this but I must have boiled it too long and it crystallized. Is there anything I can do to fix it?
It does taste wonderful! Just not the right texture.
Seanna Lea
This is awesome. I just left about 10 ounces of ginger syrup at camp, so it is great to have more instructions to make my own (the ginger syrup I had was left over from making candied ginger).
Diana @ Appetite for China
Hmm…never thought it would be so easy to make ginger ale at home. Bookmarking this!
Oly
Hello, my whole kitchen, yeah think my whole appartment, smells of ginger this very minute. Looking forward to tasting it. It’s a big surprise to my husband, who loves geinger ale. But it’s almost impossible to by here in Denmark. And when you can get it, it costs big time :-)
Beth
I’ve just got to say: thank you thank you thank you!!
My family is big into ginger ale. Like… scary big. As in every time I go grocery shopping (~once a week) I’m picking up several liters of the stuff. THIS will be perfect for the fourth of July. I’m so excited. Plus I’ve got some wild turkey on hand, just sayin’.
Sy from SweetSweeterSweetest
Holy WOW that looks so amazing! I’m totally doing this soon. Love the way you arranged the pics with the type! FAB!
Arezou
I just ran across your site and I just adore you! Also, I am definately making this for the BF. :D
Maria @ Scandifoodie
Loving the step-by-step photos! This sounds like a perfect summer drink and ginger is certainly packed with goodness!
Natasha @ Saved by the Egg Timer
I do this all the time, it truly is fabulous and has many healthy benefits too. We make virgin ones for the kids when they get upset tummies in the winter too. Good for moms and morning sickness, heartburn and digestion. I will mix a bit of syrup with hot water and a squeeze of lemon for a very good water retention cleanse too.
buffy c.
I just need to say (yes, need) that I love, love, LOVE that you drink out of jars. I have this absolutely foolish obsession with collecting jars. It’s so much prettier to store things in glass. Rice, candy, cookies, pasta… anything you need to store, really. And drinking from them makes me feel like I’m a woman in the depression, which I have completely and ridiculously romanticised. I have this one super tall jar that I adore making cold, summery drinks in. It makes me feel special. And I like that. So, Joy, kudos to you for the love of jars. I hope it makes you feel special! xxoo.
ErinsFoodFiles
I’ve made ginger syrup, except I used it for coffee drinks (inspired by my old neighborhood shop’s ginger latte), and for mixing with bourbon drinks! ;)
eatlovedrink
That is the cutest photo intro of all time. Also — genius on the bitters addition. I make ginger syrup frequently, but had never thought to add bitters — that’ll send ‘er home, as it were. Thanks!
Wendy
Made this last night and I can’t wait to try it in a million different things! Ginger ale reminds me of being sick, since that’s what my grandma swore by for stomachaches…but the syrup can do so much more. t I love ginger tea and think it would be great in lemonade and with so many different kinds of alcohol :) I candied the ginger pieces too and plan to throw them in lots of baked goods. Thanks, Joy!
Lesley
Joy, where do you get those fancy~ straws?
Joanna
YES! They look more like peppermint sticks than straws. :)
Cyndi
Sounds delicious.. So how do I need to store the ginger syrup? ..In the fridge, in the pantry.. does it need to be treated (boiled, baked in a container) or any other prep to prevent breakdown of quality? Thank you ;o)
Natalia
Love the napkin and the lime plate! It’s very cute.
BTW, I now go to Marshall’s and go nuts over the plates! My old plates are white and boring. You’re right. Life is too short for boring plates! :)
kate
Love the way you did your photo tutorial!
Stephanie
Oooh… this sounds WAY better than the other way I’ve been trying! Thank you! (I like the bourbon idea too) :)
CherylK
Was recently at a great Chinese restaurant (Rainbow Chinese Restaurant) in Minneapolis…they sell their homemade ginger syrup. I forgot to buy some….now I don’t need to! Thanks!
DessertForTwo
What a great Sunday project! It turned out delicious! I can’t stop eating the leftover ginger though :)
Steph F.
Ginger ale is amazing. You are amazing. Everything you make looks gorgeous before, during and after being turned into whatever you are cooking.
That said, I will be making your spinach and potato hash for the boy I’ve been with for almost two years. Trying to get a proposal over breakfast using food magic. This is exactly the right place to find that sort of recipe.
hannah
i am definitely going to give this a try. Just one question, how long will the syrup keep for?
Martina
This is delicious! I woke up with Ginger Syrup in my mind and there was the recipe! You got mind reading powers girl.
Right now I’m loving it on diet coke and lime, and I suspect it could spice up some Bourbon reeeal nice.
sistakt
mmmmmm ginger!
Mandy @ Withmilkandflour
Its so cute how you’ve presented the photos! I love ginger beer mixed with pomegranate juice, so refreshing.
Kartik @ Bakeology 101
I was really waiting for this recipe. Thank you so much Joy. Perfect way to spend my vacation in Michigan – great weather with a ginger ale in hand.
Morgan @ moments of mmm
This is adorable! I love ginger ale. I used to look forward to going to my grandma’s to have a glass of Canada Dry. And now every time I have a sip of the ale, I think of her. Thanks for such a happy recipe.
Katy from DiningwithDusty
This is great! Ginger, as I recently discovered in the sweltering heat of Memphis, is one of the best summer treats….
The Clumsy Eater
Usually, I add ginger syrup to black tea (brewed with cinnamon sticks and chilled). Now I feel a bit stupid for never making my own ginger ale! Forest for the trees.
Now I’m thinking maybe freezing ginger into ice cubes for tea or mixed in with seltzer. Time to experiment!
The Clumsy Eater
Andria
Oh Yum!! Had a pool party today, and thought, what the heck, I will try this. Biggest hit of the party. So much so that I had to make a second batch of syrup. I will never ever ever be able to go back to that stuff in the can.
Shannon
This is currently simmering away on my stove! Thank you for the inspiration!
bee
That looks great! Thanks for the recipe :)
Sarah-Anne
awesome, joy!
Chuck
This is lovely! I feel inspired. Every part of the presentation is gorgeous.
Jennifer @ Raisin Questions
I’m reporting back now that I am sipping on my own homemade ginger ale. I decided to peel the ginger and dry it for candied ginger to add to some homemade granola. My syrup turned out a much lighter color than what you have here, perhaps because of the peeling? I also used less water and yielded about 1 1/2 cups syrup, like in the recipe you linked to. I added the syrup to seltzer, and it’s delicioussss!!!
Megan
Joy – I’ve got the pot on the stove right now. The syrup is still reducing (I overbought on the ginger and am making a double batch, darn), and I’m so excited I can hardly contain myself.
Just thought you should know. Glasses will be clinking to cheers your brilliance soon.
Katie@Cozydelicious
I love gingerale and ginger beer and I want to make this ASAP – and add some spiced rum and call it a Dark and Stormy! Yum!
miri leigh
This looks so simple and so delicious! Thanks for posting!
Myca
Hi. I don’t know you…or even remember how I stumbled upon your blog…but I love you. Is that weird? I love your blog. I love your food. I think you are so talented. And I think you are hilarious. Just thought you should know. :)
Marelize Schaefer
I love this and will definitely have to try it. I’m originally from South Africa and we have a traditional drink that we call Ginger Beer, but its basically a fermented ginger ale (not quite fermented to the point of being real beer.) That sounds a lot grosser than it really is :)
Elana
Joy,
This looks delightful! My boys and I have been making lots of homemade drinks to keep cool this summer. Can’t wait to show them this beautiful post of yours.
Elana
Melissa Frances
WOW, thanks So much for sharing …i love ginger ale and this will be so much “cheeper” :)
thanks again.
Melissa from Naches, WA
jo-z
You are seriously brilliant.
madeline
You read my freaking mind. I was planning on making ginger ale today and I come to your site and its here. Is is too soon to say I love you?
Molly
Right before reading this I combined this morning’s coffee with a quarter cup of last night’s lemon ginger tea. It was amazing and I thought to myself “I wonder if I can make ginger syrup to put in my coffee”. And here, this morning of all mornings, you post a recipe for ginger simple syrup. Amazing. Thank you.
Expat Gourmet
That looks lovely, I’ll have to give that a try. River Cottage have a recipe for brewing ginger ale that’s also worth a try!
Maureen
Very good! I make candied ginger all the time and use the syrup over ice cream. I can’t wait to try this. Too easy!
Pat
Made it tonight. YUM!! I also happen to know that ginger syrup in hot milk makes a faaaaaaabulous steamer for those of us in colder climes.
Liz
I am seriously so impressed!! By you AND by dinosaur-like ginger.
Cam
Adorable pictures! I’ve been obsessed with ginger ale since the boyfriend introduced it to me last summer. I never imagined it’d come together so simply.
What are bitters though?
Anna
good lawd! ginger ale is my favorite! i am making it, making it, making it.
Emily Elizabeth
I’ve been drinking ginger ale + lime + bourbon since, well, a couple of days ago when i tried mixing it. it’s my favorite drink ever, but i bet i will like it even more with the home made ginger ale. thank you!
Kat @ Cupcake Kat
I love the sequence of pictures you give. I think this ginger syrup would also be amazing in hot chocolate or on vanilla ice cream! yum
annie
Brilliant. :)
Victoria
OH MY GOD I LOVE GINGER. I have to make this!!
Katherine
There’s nothing I love more than homemade ginger ale!!!!!!!
Alex
This needs bourbon.
Dana@TheSundaySweet
This just made my day! 1. I love ginger. 2. I love ginger ale. 3. I love making homemade anything. Love this!
matthew
This one stole my heart. I cannot wait to make this sometime tomorrow and add some whiskey to it. And photograph it all. And blog it. And thank you/credit you for being so rad. (xoxo)
Ian @ All Things Ginger
A very well presented post for a very popular drink!
Torrey
I totes mcgoats have to try this. I’m very into homemade delicious drinks. I have to try the Shutterbean strawberry-infused vodka, too. A friend of mine did Skittles-infused vodka, and it came out amazing.
Italian Cooking Adventures
You are a genius!I love your blog and love the way you write…bravissima!
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family
That is fantastic. I have been wanting to make some of my own drinks and I can’t wait to share this with my family.
heather @ chiknpastry
talk about follow-through. i just listened to the podcast this morning and then i check through my reader aaaaaaand there it is: the ginger syrup. i do love making syrups, and homemade ginger ale is da bomb, really.
also! so interesting that you’re friends with the UYD podcasters! now that i drive to work for an hour, their podcast, yours, and the wine one are the ones i look forward to most! This American Life is also a great one though – I agree.
Aimee
I’ve been making this for awhile, bu freezing it in ice cubes. Then add a little vodka! hehe
Kim B
This is totally giving me an excuse to buy one of those new Soda Stream machines to make my own club soda :-) My husband will thank you!
Amanda
I love that I can make my own soda now. I usually don’t drink it because it’s so… artificial… but this is real stuff! My fiance is a big fan of ginger ale, and he’d be super impressed if I made this.
I also love the captioned pictures. :)
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit
Double YUM! I agree with Rebecca – keep doing what you’re doing. This is amazing! Now… to make it sugar free… I’m ready for the challenge!
Chris Dickerson
lol @ Joy “like totally”! ;-)
I *LOVE* ginger-beer.
Morgan
mmmm summer… I add chilies and lemongrass to my recipe its perfect (and omit the bitters)! Makes for some yummy spice!
Urban Wife
You are seriously the coolest ever. Dig the photo story on DIY ginger ale. Also one of my top 3 favorite beverages of all time. I wish I would have thought about making some that one time my hubs came back from the grocery with a massive ginger root because he thought they only sold it in huge chunks. I still have ginger left over and that was over 1 year ago. True story.
Kate
My ex husband had a no ginger rule. For the last year, I’ve eaten ginger about four times a week. Clearly I’m going home tonight and making this. Thanks!
Gen
Nice drink, and I just love the way you wrote this recipe, it’s fun and clear, jus like a comic!
Rebecca A E
I just thought you should know Joy, I showed my mommy-dearest your website about a month ago and no exhaggeration, she has made at least 15 recipes off of it. Boo ya. One of her favourites was the Vegan Chocolate Avocado Cake. Keep doing what you’re doing !
Lucy
I made something similar a few years ago but instead of putting it in a bottle, I froze it in ice cube trays so it would last longer. I then gave it (them?) as a gift to a friend with breast cancer who was going through chemo. Ginger is great for settling a sick stomach. She loved the thoughtful, homemade gift but also loved the ginger ale. I, of course, provided the club soda and limes too. Her hubby appreciated the gesture too and used the club soda & limes for his own “get you through the rough spots” drink of choice as well. Happy to report that she is healthy today! :)
Sharona A.
I was literally looking for Ginger Root last night…was planning to make my own Jamaican style Ginger Beer from scratch since I am in the Dark & Stormy cocktail mode. Ginger Beer, limes, Gosslings Rum – good to go. I also do a thing where I cook down ginger & pineapple into a syrup to make a similar bubbly soda. I love the combo of pineapple/ginger! Great recipe! Thanks!
Foodtopii
I love the photographic play-by-play. Speaking of ginger, have you ever tried ginger milk curd? It’s a great dessert: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginger_milk_curd
Check it out and let me know what you think.
Joanna
sweeeeeet!
My husband loves ginger ale! I just might be very popular this summer. :)
Thanks!
Krafty Keely
I am definitely making this for my family dinner next weekend. So simple and yet I’m sure so delicious!
Jessica
Yum! All it’s missing is vodka!
Marie A
You can always find bitters in the liquor section at the grocery or with mixers at the liquor store
sofia
dude. i flippin’ love ginger ANYTHING. how’d you know i needed a tutorial like this?!
Meagan @ Scarletta Bakes
Love, love, LOVE!
I hope that you do more photo posts – they rock. And where did you get those purdy straws?
Thanks for the ginger ale recipe. Have a great weekend!!
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
Never would have thought of making my own ginger ale. Intriguing!
For some reason, I can imagine you making a song out of your captions and singing it. The thought makes me smile.
sheila @ Elements
What a great idea! It would be so fun to make this! Your label is so pretty by the way! :)
Tanvi @ The Hathi Cooks
This looks great! I make a similar ginger ale, except I like mine more gingery than the average person, so I make a ginger reduction and a simple syrup so that way everyone can choose how much sugar they like! But I love the dark gorgeous color and the idea of making candied ginger! Thanks!
Elisha
I cannot describe how much I enjoy drinking real ginger ale. Thank you for this recipe! And thank you for sharing your blog!
Erin Louise
I freaking love ginger ale! My mom used to get raspberry ginger ale when I was younger but I can’t find it anywhere anymore…sad times…but I think I will try to add it to this recipe somehow…hmmm….
Jessica
We used to always get raspberry ginger ale for special events at my house when I was a kid too! Occasionally we’ll still find it at Christmas time, but you’re right otherwise I can’t find it anywhere.
Karri
I love this. But I really LOVE your captioned pictures. For real love. But this may be a stupid question, but what are “bitters” and where can I find them?
Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet
I make this all this time. So delicious and refreshing with lots of lime.
Rocky Mountain Woman
hmm….I would add a little whiskey…
lovely!
Yellow Dog Fever
Amen my Sister. Amen.
Kristy
My mom loves ginger ale, and I think I would impress her immensely if I made her ginger ale from scratch. “Yeah, Mom. No big deal.”
Jenn
“it’s spicy and it reminds me of a dinousaur.”
LOL… like.. totally rolling on the floor.. (in my head at least, I’m at work and don’t want to scare the people here).
Great photos and tutorial. Never thought of making this from scratch!
Becky
MUST try this soon – how awesome! : )
Cuppycake81
Hey Joy!!! this is going to be . . amazing! but question . . . what are bitters?!?! and where does one find it?
Marie A
You can find bitters in the liquor section at the grocery or with mixers at the liquor store
William Epperson
Marie, does Bitters have liquor in it?
April
This seems so much easier than the wait required to make traditional ginger ale. Thanks for sharing!
Carina
Hi Joy!
I’ve been making ginger syrup for a while now (of course your process is better than mine), but I’ve always wondered how long it will keep in the fridge? Do you have any ideas on that?
-Carina
Anita
YUM.
Joy, about how long will the ginger syrup keep? Should it be refrigerated?
Susan (Oliepants)
You are seriously only a roll. I absolutely love ginger ale and when I need a ‘soda’ with a meal I always reach for this. Perfect!
courtneylaurel
Oooh; big ginger, here I come. Thanks for this! Also, some buddies of mine happen to be in the business for craft bitters, if you’re interested. They do what they do well! Here’s the link if you’re interested, and I apologize if linking to commercial sites isn’t allowed or something!
http://bittercube.com/
Kristen @ Chocolate Covered Kristen
I actually said “O-M-G” out loud when I saw this. Wow – tell Canada Dry to move over.
la domestique
I’m going through a major love affair with ginger right now, hooray for homemade ginger syrup! You don’t have to peel the ginger? The peel isn’t bitter? Just curious.
joythebaker
it’s not bitter… and it all gets a good straining at the end!
Michelle
OMG Joy! Where were you 6 months ago when I was trying to make ginger syrup to duplicate a cocktail I had? Vanilla vodka, ginger syrup, club soda, and lime.
(Its called the Katy Bird, scroll down a bit)
http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/eat-and-drink/articles/cocktail-recipes-1210/
Annette @ CoMo Homestead
Joy, this sounds amazing! Thank you!
Boot~C
I have been making a variation of this for years. After my syrup has cooled I squeeze & strain the juice of 2 or 3 limes into the syrup.And yes,it does make a fabulous cocktail!!
caroleena
Thank you Joy! This sounds yummy. AND ginger is SO good for you. But what I want to know is, WHERE did you get the straws? They are so cute! @ Naomi — bitters should be in the liquor section. Often called Angostura Bitters —
Naomi
This is awesome! Sometimes, when people are telling me their recipes, I say “Oh, I should make that sometime!” Just to be nice. But I’m honestly gonna buy ginger root today. This is the perfect summer thingee. Only thing is I don’t know what bitters are, so I don’t know what section of the grocery store I can get them :(
Katie
I think you read my mind, Joy! I was under the weather this week and sucking down ginger ale big time, thinking, “I could make this stuff and it would be SO much better!” and here you are, making it and bottling it up for the whole wide world! thanks man!
Eliz. K
shoot, we’re moving, and I need to pack all day, but I want to try this!!! so cool!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
It’s amazing how easy it is to make ginger ale! I need to try making my own. I love the stuff :)
The Café Sucré Farine
How fun is this?! You always have great ideas and this one looks like a great summer project! Thanks, Chris
Casey
I never realized how simple it is to make ginger ale. SO doing it this weekend!
homegrown countrygirl
I’ve always wanted to do this… thank you for the E-Z walk-through!
Emily
Here’s a question (and a possibly stupid one): Should I store the syrup in the fridge, or is room temperature fine? It’s going to take me awhile to get through 2 cups (although I haven’t tried the ginger ale deliciousness yet, so maybe not). Thanks!
joythebaker
totally not a stupid question! store it in the fridge!
Molly
I actually just made ginger syrup using Andrea Reusing’s new book, Cooking In the Moment. It’s for her rhubarb ginger sorbet, which is truly divine. She recommends adding the syrup to a summer cocktail of muddled strawberries, lime and vodka. Yum!
Charlotte
YUM! I love ginger ale, the more gingery the better. This will be delicious in a Dark & Stormy! (basically this drink, plus dark rum… mmmmm)
Baking Holly
I used to have a hate relationship with ginger when I bought some organic ginger apple juice that tasted awful–but this looks fantastic. it could rekindle the flame ;)
Nali
Everyone in this household loves gingerale. I’m definitely going to have to make this!
xoxo, Nali
eidolons
This summer (because it’s been summer here in Florida for a while already) I’ve been making herbal sodas. For ease I just throw some tea bags (current favorites are lavender chamomile and Tazo Refresh – but not together) into water, slowly bring to a boil, add sugar to make a simple syrup. In a mason jar I “eyeball” the amounts of syrup and sparkling water, taste, adjust. Yum!
Headed to the market today to pick up some ginger! Yum, ginger ale!
joythebaker
sounds delicious!
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
Excellent. I’m doing this. Ginger Ale is my favourite pop of all!
Laura
I love ginger ale! Thanks so much for this post! Yum!
Vanessa
Love this! Never would have thought to make my own ginger ale!
Lucia
Ginger Ale makes me think that summer really has arrived.
What about ginger ale popsicles?
joythebaker
hm… i like the way your mind works.
kathryn
I love ginger ale but I never thought of making it. COOL IDEA.
event catering los angeles
Ginger is good for health and helps in recovering from diseases like cancer to migraines. Homemade Ginger is a great idea in order to have healthy life and tastes great as well.
Katrina
This is a wicked idea for summer! So awesome.
Heather (Heather's Dish)
holy yum Joy! this is so cute, and definitely something i would LOVE to make!
Helena
Joy! I love this kind of post! Have to make this ASAP :D
Kierstan
Oh fun! I am planning a big party in the next few weeks and can see making some great cocktails with this!
Hannah
Love this tutorial Joy…You know just how to hold my attention at 7 am – and how to inspire me to try making something new! What fun.
Beth S.
So um yeah, I’m going grocery shopping today anyway and well, I’ll be adding ginger to my shopping list! I’m so making this today!
Jacqueline @ Spice Is NIce
Wow, this is such a creative idea! Sometimes I can’t even find ginger ale at the store anymore, so definitely going to have to try this!
Sandhya
No way!!! This is brilliant!
ginny lee
I wonder if this would be good for morning sickness? without the bourbon of course….
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
Joy this looks AWESOME!
The only soda I ever drink anymore, and we’re talking once a year on an airplane type thing, is ginger ale.
But seeing that you made this ginger syrup, all of a sudden I really think I need ginger ale in my life. That I make myself. Who am I? Possibly making my own soda? I can’t even believe it…
Thank you for the nudge :)
Liz
Yum, Gingerale is one of my favourite things to drink with bourbon mixed in!
Katy Vella Pace
Fresh ginger is a magical thing. What a great idea!
Imagine this syrup mixed with rice vinigar to make a spicy-sweet dipping sauce for sushi.
Soya sauce is not the best choice for those who are limiting their sodium. A splash of soya sauce in the ginger dipping sauce would still add some of the deep richness of soya sauce without all that sodium.
Katy
Juls
Joy. Thank you, thank you for doing this and in the process giving me plans for the weekend and thus saving my cats from being dressed up in my boredom. Thank you for making this saturday a lot more gingery. I like it, Its good.
Lindsay
Great tutorial. I love ginger so I’m going to have to give this a try. Am I right in thinking from the pictures that you just chop the ginger and put it all in peel and all or do you peel it first?
mendomamma
See how you are??? This brilliant ginger syrup on the tails of summer solstice…what a better way to kick off the first official weekend of summer? Vodka would be a beautiful addition, just the thought makes me want to put on a tank top and hang out with friends…yes please and thank you!
Maris (In Good Taste)
What a fabulous and fun tutorial!
Janae
My husband LOVES ginger ale, and I will have to make this for him (what a treat!). You are awesome, Joy, thanks.
katescakesandbakes
I love the pictures, graphics and instructions – a real ‘joy’ to read (sorry, rubbish ‘joke’)!
roxy
Ah how funny…I was just reading the post from Serious Eats about the best ginger ale, they said Vernors was the best but I’m thinking this is waaaaaay better then any ginger ale.
P.s. My sister and I were laughing our booties off listening to you and Tracy Shutterbean’s podcasts…keep up the awesomeness!
Stacy @ Say It With Sprinkles
I love this because you get to drink your ginger and then candy and eat it! =)
teawithhazel
i once made ginger beer which i love but this ginger syrup sounds more versatile and really delicious and so i will be making it soon..jane
sophie
fee brothers bitters = awesome
Kathry
Ooh delicious! And I bet that this would be great in cocktails if you’re that way inclined…
joythebaker
SO great in cocktails!
Khushboo @ Two Megapixel Food
This is surprisingly easy! And so glad for the candied ginger instructions. Now I know what to do on the weekend.