Description

Homemade Ginger Ale is a refreshing, all-natural sparkling drink made with fresh ginger, natural sweeteners, lemon juice, and sparkling water. This easy recipe offers a customizable, fizzy beverage that’s healthier and more flavorful than store-bought versions, perfect for cooling off or pairing with meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Essential Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh ginger root, peeled and finely grated
1 cup granulated sugar or honey (substitute as desired)
1 cup water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup club soda or sparkling water

Optional Ingredients

Lemon zest (for extra aroma)
Fresh mint leaves (for garnish or syrup infusion)
Pinch of cayenne pepper (for spicier ginger ale)
Fresh fruit juice like lime or cranberry (for fruit-flavored variations)
Natural sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit drops (for diet-friendly version)

Instructions

Prepare the Ginger Syrup: Peel and finely grate about 1/2 cup fresh ginger root. Combine the grated ginger with 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan. Heat gently, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Let it simmer for 10 minutes to extract the ginger flavor fully, then remove from heat and let cool completely. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove ginger pieces and obtain a smooth syrup.
Mix the Ginger Syrup and Lemon: Once cooled, stir 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice into the ginger syrup. Adjust the amount of lemon juice according to your taste preference to balance brightness and acidity.
Combine with Sparkling Water: In a tall glass or pitcher, mix 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the ginger syrup with 1 cup cold club soda or sparkling water. Stir gently to combine without losing carbonation. Taste and add more syrup if a stronger ginger flavor or sweetness is desired.
Chill and Serve: Add ice cubes and garnish with lemon slices or fresh mint leaves for extra refreshment. Serve immediately to enjoy the best fizzy texture.

Notes

Choose fresh, firm ginger root for a bold, fresh flavor.
Avoid adding sparkling water to hot syrup to keep carbonation intact.
Strain the syrup thoroughly to ensure a smooth drink without ginger bits.
Adjust sweetness by adding syrup gradually when mixing with sparkling water.
Store leftover ginger syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Freeze syrup in ice cube trays if desired, but do not freeze the mixed, carbonated ginger ale.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Beverages
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (prepared ginger ale)
Calories: 90
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 10mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: homemade ginger ale, ginger soda, natural ginger ale, homemade soda, ginger syrup, refreshing drink