
If you’ve been reading for a while, you’ll know that we like making things from scratch around here. This Homemade Ginger Ale syrup is a perfect place to start. I promise you, it is so simple and easy and takes only 3 ingredients (including the water!). It lasts for ages in glass bottles in the fridge so you can always keep a batch on hand.
Unlike the Ginger Ale or Ginger Beer that you can buy, this version is more like a cordial or a syrup. It is perfect mixed into lemonade, soda or sparkling water. The taste is zingy, spicy, sweet and refreshing. Keep reading for more ideas for how I like to serve it. Hint – it involves gin!

I think that Ginger Lovers are a particular type of people. You either are or you aren’t. There doesn’t seem to be much wiggle room here. I think I got the love of all things ginger from my Nan. She always had gingersnap biscuits in the cookie tin and offered a tall glass of ice cold ginger ale every time I went to visit her. This Homemde Ginger Ale also makes a great homemade gift – either for Christmas or a hostess present – for your favourite Ginger lover. Let’s get started!

Here’s what you’ll need to make Homemade Ginger Ale
Fresh Ginger – Yep, it has to be fresh. Peel and roughly slice the fresh ginger and add it to a saucepan with water. It doesn’t have to be pretty or perfect. We are extracting as much of the ginger flavour as possible and simmering it down to a syrup. Feel free to experiment with this recipe, adding other spices that you like, such as cardamom, vanilla or star anise. Lemon or lime slices cooked in with the ginger would also give a lovely flavour!
Water – Pretty self explanatory here! Once it has reduced down to a syrup, remove from the heat and allow to steep and infuse for another 20 minutes to really maximise the flavour.
Caster Sugar – You will definitely need to add some sweetness to balance out the spicy flavour of the ginger. I use caster sugar (also known as superfine sugar) because it dissolves very easily. I like to do this off the heat. In the recipe below I have put the amount of sugar that I personally like. But every batch of Ginger Ale can be slightly different. It may reduce a little more or the fresh ginger may have a stronger flavour than at other times. Make sure you taste and add a little more if you want it slightly sweeter.

Mint and Lime – Use your Ginger Ale syrup to make any drinks that take your fancy! Dilute it to your liking with lemonade, soda or sparkling water. I also like making a little drink with gin, lime wedges, mint and lemonade. You could also try vodka, any kind of rum or Pimm’s if you prefer, perhaps with slices of cucumber or fruit to make a lovely summery drink. It’s a versatile starting point for any number of beverages!
Here I am updating this post, 15 after I wrote the original one. I know I will still be making batches of Homemade Ginger Ale for years to come! I also made a video of how to make it over on Instagram and TikTok!
Related Post: Lavender Lemonade

Homemade Ginger Ale
This delicious syrup only has 3 ingredients (including water) and makes the most delicious sweet, spicy ginger ale. If you have a ginger lover in your life, I bet they would absolutely love this!
Ingredients
- 400 g ginger, peeled and chopped
- 4 cups water (1 litre)
- 1 ½ cups caster sugar (superfine)
Instructions
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Cook ginger in water in a saucepan at a very low simmer, partially covered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and let steep, covered for 20 minutes.
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In the meantime, sterilise your bottles. I like to use 250ml bottles. Wash bottles in hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly. Boil in a large pot of water for 10-15 minutes. Remove with tongs. Dry upside down on a clean towel or in a low oven (about 120°C/250°F) for 10-15 minutes until completely dry. Remove carefully with oven mits or a tea towel as the glass is very hot.
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Strain ginger mixture through a fine sieve into a heatproof jug, pressing on ginger to extract as much liquid as possible, and then discarding the solids.
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Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Divide between your sterilised bottles and seal. Chill syrup until very cold. For gifting, add a tag tied on with ribbon or twine around the neck of each bottle.
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Serve diluted to your taste with lemonade, soda or sparkling water.
For a delicious drink, place 30ml gin, lime, mint leaves and ice in a glass. Top with cold ginger ale syrup and lemonade.
12 Comments on “Homemade Ginger Ale”
Mmm that looks so refreshing, so great for summer! Would be perfect for our tea 😉
So would have it with vodka and lime 🙂
I had to laugh as I have been through the exploding ginger ale bottle phenomenon so you brought back some fond memories! This recipe sounds like a great alternative. 😀
Very cool recipe for the summer. I can just imagine myself sitting on the back porch sipping on one of these.
Ooh, I love all things ginger too! This sounds lovely. I've never tried making ginger ale so I'm going to try this. Sounds so good!
Ginger ale with Gin. Would that make it a Gin-ger ale? 🙂
I've generally been fine with ginger. The only exception is crystalised ginger. Still not all that fond of it after all these years.
Funny that I don't like ginger that much, but will drink ginger ale by the gallon. 'Ginger ale, please, no ice' is my drink! Your version looks fabulous.
Thanks for this recipe for ginger ale. I think a lot of people will be surprised to see how easy it is to make.
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Hi Daffy, this recipe is more of a cordial that is then mixed with lemonade or soda water. I don't know much about artificial sweeteners to be honest but if you try it let me know how it turns out!
Non carbonated ginger ale? Never heard of such a thing. I'd like to try it, but I'm diabetic. Do you think artificial sweeteners would work?
I'm from the U.S and the ginger ale I'm used to is carbonated and non-alcoholic. However this would be nice to try when entertaining in the summer. What is caster suger?