Ginger Syrup

Sugar, spice and everything nice, that’s what this ginger syrup is made of! If you love ginger flavor, you will love making your own ginger syrup to add to drinks and desserts.

Ginger Simple Syrup recipe

Ginger is one of those flavors I can’t get enough of. It has a kick of spiced flavor that can’t be beat. I love making Moscow mules and always keep ginger beer on hand in case I get a hankering.

If you’re unfamiliar, ginger is sweet and a little spicy. Not the same kind of spice as jalapeños or chili peppers, though; think the warmth you get from cinnamon, but hotter. Ginger also has a little bit of coolness, similar to mint, which is why pickled ginger helps to tamp down on the spiciness of the wasabi on your sushi. Ginger is also sometimes used to soothe a sore throat or an upset stomach.

Made with fresh ginger root, the sweetness of this syrup cools down and balances the heat from the ginger. You can use it to make homemade ginger ale or to add some spice to your favorite drinks — I love it in a whiskey smash.

More spiced syrup recipes: Cinnamon Syrup • Chai Syrup • Cinnamon Dolce Syrup

Ingredients

Though you can buy ginger syrup, this recipe is so very easy and inexpensive to make. It is just not worth buying in my opinion, and it tastes so much better with fresh ginger!

Ginger simple syrup only has three simple ingredients, but you can mix things up with more flavor combos. See the section below called Variations and Substitutions.

• Ginger root: Real ginger will provide much more spice and flavor. You will need about a 3- or 4-inch piece of peeled ginger root. Dice it into small pieces (slices are okay too).
• Sugar: Granulated sugar and organic cane sugar are my recommendation for this syrup, since it will allow for the best rosy red color. However, can use brown sugar or honey instead, though both will affect the color of the syrup.
• Water: Filtered water or distilled water will give you the best, purest results, but tap water is totally fine.

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How to make ginger syrup

For simple syrup, you typically need as much sugar as you do water, but this recipe is a little different. First you will boil water and ginger together to infuse the flavor, almost like making tea. Then you will strain out the solids and stir in the sugar to the warm mixture to make the syrup. But let me take you step-by-step.

First, peel and dice the ginger root. (Here’s how to peel ginger.) Then grab a medium saucepan, and bring the water and the ginger pieces to a boil. Lower the heat and bring to a simmer for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat.

Use a fine-mesh strainer ^* to remove the solids and strain the hot ginger mixture into a bowl or jar. While still warm, stir in sugar until dissolved. Let cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Variations and substitutions

Ginger mint syrup: Add mint sprigs to the syrup while it cools to infuse mint flavor.

1. Honey ginger syrup: Use honey instead of sugar to make a natural-tasting syrup with lots of sweet flavor.
2. Ginger demerara syrup: Use demerara sugar to make a dark-colored and complex-tasting syrup.
3. Ginger lime syrup: Stir in 2 tablespoons lime juice to add some tart flavor. (Could do lemon juice, too!)
4. Sugar-free ginger syrup: Use Stevia instead of sugar for a lighter option.

Homemade ginger ale concentrate

This ginger syrup is essentially a ginger cordial or concentrate that you can use to make your own ginger ale or ginger beer. I also like to add some lemon extract and vanilla extract ^* to amp up the flavor, but you don’t have to.

Simply mix it with soda water (plain or flavored). Then you can use that in cocktails or non-alcoholic drinks to achieve the same ginger taste with less sugar. It makes a great homemade mocktail!

Drinks with ginger syrup

There are so many ways to use this homemade ginger syrup. A little ginger flavor goes a long way! Try one of these cocktail recipes for your next happy hour:

• Instead of plain simple syrup: Muddle it into a whiskey smash for a punch of flavor (Pictured above.) or a classic old-fashioned cocktail for a strong and gingery drink. Muddle up a ginger mint julep for a unique twist on the classic or stir it into lemonade for a zing of spice.
• In place of honey: Stir it into a hot toddy to give it a gingery bite. Sweeten hot tea or iced tea to give it a gingery bite, maybe with a spritz of lemon juice to balance the snappy finish.
• As DIY ginger ale: Prepare homemade ginger ale by adding a little syrup to a glass and top it with soda water. Make a lighter whiskey ginger cocktail with ginger syrup, bourbon and club soda or seltzer.
• As DIY ginger beer: Make a spicy Moscow mule with vodka, ginger syrup, lime juice and club soda.
• Instead of ginger liqueur: Ginger syrup also works as an alternative to ginger liqueur. I’ve even mixed it with boozy bubbly to make an elegant champagne Moscow mule.

And it doesn’t stop at cocktails! Pour ginger syrup over sorbet, ice cream, baked peaches and other desserts. Citrus, fruit and herbs pair really well. Drizzle it over pancakes, waffles or French toast like you would maple syrup for a little morning spice.

FAQ

More simple syrup recipes

• Lavender Syrup
• Elderberry Syrup
• Rosemary Syrup