How to Make Ginger Ale [Homemade Recipe] - My Fermented Foods (2024)

Published January 26, 2019 Updated April 22, 2020 By Gigi Mitts 4 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.

How to Make Ginger Ale [Homemade Recipe] - My Fermented Foods (1)

bhofack2 /Depositphotos.com

Jump to Recipe

Ginger ale is a non-alcoholic and refreshing drink made of fresh ginger and carbonated sweetened water. It’s probably the easiest soda you can make at home with little effort.

It can be consumed directly to enhance your energy levels and feel fresh or used as a base to improve the flavors of spirit-based drinks.

Table of Contents

Ginger Ale vs Ginger Beer

A lot of people mix up Ginger Ale and Ginger Beer. They are two completely different drinks. Ginger beer is brewed and fermented drink, while ginger ale is a carbonated beverage flavored with ginger.

Ginger beer is an alcoholic beverage prepared from water, fermenting ginger, sugar, and a starter culture. Ginger beer has stronger flavors with a mild spicy touch when compared to ginger ale.

Ginger Ale benefits

Ginger Ale offers the following benefits:

  • It can improve your immune system functions thereby protecting you against recurrent attacks of allergies and infections. This is why patients who suffer from allergic dermatitis, rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis are advised to drink Ginger Ale on a regular basis. Ginger Ale can promote metabolic rate and fat burning processes and stimulate weight loss.
  • Ginger in this beverage has the potential to support the functions of the digestive system. It can provide relief for constipation, bloating, indigestion, and heaviness in the stomach.
  • Ginger Ale can regulate the production of mucus in the respiratory passages thereby relieving the symptoms of common cold and other respiratory infections such as nose block, cough, congestion, and sneezing.
  • Ginger Ale has powerful anti-cancer potential. It can support the body’s natural ability to destroy cancer cells thereby reducing the risk of cancer.
How to Make Ginger Ale [Homemade Recipe] - My Fermented Foods (2)

How to make Ginger Ale

You can make ginger ale at home in less than an hour. It is that simple and easy. The main ingredient is fresh ginger. You can get fresh ginger from your local supermarket produce section. You can make ginger syrup using fresh ginger and granulated sugar.

To make ginger ale you will need either club soda or seltzer water.

Club soda is carbonated water that has been infused with minerals such as potassium sulfate, sodium chlorine, sodium bicarbonate and others. The minerals give water a slightly salty taste.

Seltzer originated in Germany and is also carbonated water but with no added minerals. It can be enhanced with flavourings without alerting its taste which is why I recommend using it for your ginger ale.

You will also need fresh lemon or lime juice. I use lemon juice as I have all year lemon tree. However, using either of them will not impact the taste of your ginger ale.

You don’t need any special equipment to make ginger ale in your own kitchen. Equipment used is simple and includes a saucepan, bowl and a mesh strainer.

Once you have your ginger syrup ready you can make ginger ale by mixing ¼ of syrup and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice per with ¾ cup seltzer. This is my perfect mix but you can adjust the ingredients to suit your own taste.

You don’t need any special equipment to make ginger ale in your own kitchen. Equipment used is simple and includes a saucepan, bowl and a mesh strainer.

Once you have your ginger syrup ready you can make ginger ale by mixing ¼ of syrup and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice per with ¾ cup seltzer. This is my perfect mix but you can adjust ingredients to suit you own taste.

Print

How to Make Ginger Ale [Homemade Recipe] - My Fermented Foods (3)

Ginger Ale Recipe

★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆ No reviews
  • Author: Gigi Mitts
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 2 quarts 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Ginger ale is a non-alcoholic and refreshing drink made of fresh ginger and carbonated sweetened water.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 cup of fresh ginger
  • 2 cups of water
  • ¼ cup of granulated sugar
  • ¼ fresh lemon or lime juice
  • 4 cups of cold club soda or seltzer water

Instructions

  1. Prepare ginger: Peel the ginger and cut it into small cubes.
  2. Simmer ginger: Place the ginger and water into a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Let the ginger simmer for about 30 minutes then remove it from the heat. Remove the saucepan from the stove and let ginger sit in the saucepan for another 10 minutes.
  3. Make syrup: Pour the ginger syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing down to get all of the juice out of the mixture. Discard ginger pieces. Place the ginger syrup back into the saucepan then add granulated sugar. Bring to simmer for about 10 minutes.
  4. Cool the syrup: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Set it aside and let the ginger syrup cool completely.
  5. Assemble: Serve it by mixing ¼ of syrup and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice per ¾ cup seltzer. Serve over ice. Place the remaining syrup in a mason jar and refrigerate it for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Equipment:small saucepan, bowl and a mesh strainer

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 80
  • Sugar: 20 grams
  • Sodium: 17mg
  • Saturated Fat: 0 grams
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 grams
  • Trans Fat: 0 grams
  • Fiber: 0 grams
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

FAQs

Is ginger ale good for you?

Ginger Ale offers benefits such as faster weight loss and improved energy levels. It can refresh your senses after a tiring day and reduce weakness, lethargy, and body pains. Ginger Ale is specifically good for people who suffer from recurrent respiratory problems like common cold, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, or sinusitis.

Does ginger ale have caffeine?

Traditionally prepared Ginger Ale does not contain caffeine. This is what makes it a superior refreshing beverage. It can act as a stimulant and increase your energy levels without creating the short-term and long-term side effects of caffeine consumption.

Ginger ale calories

It is estimated that a 100-gram serving of Ginger Ale contains 34 calories. This is why it is also suitable for people who are conscious of their calorie intake and want to lose weight.

The calorie content, as well as the amount of carbohydrates in this beverage, is much lower than the commercially available soft drinks and carbonated beverage. This makes Ginger Ale a safer alternative to increase energy levels and feel refreshed even for patients with diabetes.

Conclusion

Ginger Ale is very easy to prepare and does not require you to put in much time and effort. This naturally refreshing drink may offer several health benefits. Its therapeutic effect on your digestion and respiratory system and stimulatory effect of your brain and immune system can help in the prevention of several diseases and help keep you healthy and active. Therefore, it’s definitely worth making ginger ale at home.

Related posts

The Best Apple Cider Vinegar Pills [Weight Loss Benefits]

How Kombucha Can Help You with Weight Loss

How to Make Ginger Ale [Homemade Recipe] - My Fermented Foods (2024)

FAQs

Does ginger ale have probiotics? ›

The results showed that there were probiotic bacteria in ginger ale, from the Lactobacillus, Streptococcus and Micrococcus genus. Organoleptic test results by panelists showed that ginger ale from ginger emprit has a good taste. In addition, it is found to contain a phenolic compound (flavonoid group), namely luteolin.

Can ginger ale soda ferment? ›

After 7-14 days of feeding and nurturing your ginger bug with daily feedings of ginger and sugar, you'll have a bubbly, gingery, alcoholic-smelling soda starter. This starter is then added to your soda base, bottled up, and left to ferment for a couple of days to ensure a nice fizzy drink.

How long does it take to ferment ginger ale? ›

I prefer this version over the yeast-carbonated ginger ale because the lactic acid gives it a slightly sour bite. Mix everything thoroughly in an air-tight container, and let it sit at room temperature for 3-7 days. You may need to bleed off some CO2 depending on temperature.

How to make probiotic ginger? ›

Probiotic Ginger Drink
  1. Add filtered water to a bottle or jar, making room for the other ingredients and room for the liquid to rise when it is fermenting. ...
  2. Add the Rapadura sugar, Ginger Powder and Probiotics and mix well.
  3. Seal the bottle.
  4. Place on a bench, or a dark cupboard. ...
  5. Recommended 1 cup per serving.
Jun 9, 2022

Is ginger ale good for your gut? ›

“Most commercial-brand ginger ales have at least 10 teaspoons of sugar,” says Dr. Goldman. “If a person has bloating, gas or indigestion, the carbonation and sugar may make it worse. Even diet ginger ale can be harmful because our bodies may not digest artificial sugars as well.”

Does ginger ale help your gut? ›

For some people, the carbonation in ginger ale and other fizzy beverages may help ease their gastrointestinal distress, Sassos said, while other people may find that it makes things worse. So it really depends on how your body responds.

Does ginger inhibit fermentation? ›

This showed that gingerol has an obvious inhibitory effect on the growth and fermentation of yeasts. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberacae) is a medicinal plant that has been widely used in Chinese. And gingerol is a kind of plant polyphenols extracted from ginger [1-2].

Is ginger ale fermented? ›

Production: Ginger beer is made by fermenting fresh ginger and sugar, while ginger ale is either fermented with whey or made by mixing soda water or club soda with artificial or real ginger syrup. Flavor: Ginger beer has a stronger flavor, smell, and spice than ginger ale, which tends to taste more syrupy.

How much alcohol is in homemade ginger ale? ›

Alcohol Content – Homemade Ginger Ale (7 Days)
DaysABV %Notes
10.26%Very light and sweet
20.79%Same
31.31%Beginning to taste a little alcoholic
41.31%Same
3 more rows
Aug 8, 2020

Is Canada dry ginger ale fermented? ›

Artificial carbonation

Rather than ferment their product, most commercial ginger ale bottlers will carbonate their soda by chilling the water to a low temperature to allow more carbon dioxide to be dissolved.

How much alcohol is in fermented ginger ale? ›

If you like the fiery taste of ginger, you'll love this homemade fermented drink. Its alcohol content is similar to that of a beer, which is usually between 3 and 5%.

Why won t my ginger beer ferment? ›

Without microbes, your drink will not ferment. Sugar. I usually use evaporated cane sugar for my ginger beer. Any type of plain sugar will work.

Why do doctors recommend ginger ale? ›

Ginger, a member of the plant family that includes turmeric and cardamom, has been proven to be effective at treating nausea and vomiting — two hallmarks of a classic upset stomach. In fact, ginger is even used to treat morning sickness, muscle pain and menstrual pain.

Is Canada Dry ginger ale good for you? ›

In either case, ginger ale is still soda, and numerous studies have linked drinking soda with an increased risk of obesity. "Ginger ale is not classified as a health food and should be consumed in moderation," advises Jamie Bering, MD, a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

What is the healthiest ginger ale to drink? ›

With a sweet blend of real ginger and citrus oils, Zevia Ginger Ale has a delicious taste with zero calories and no sugar, making it a healthy alternative to diet ginger ale brands. Be it an upset tummy or a co*cktail party mixer, Zevia Ginger Ale is always as refreshing to taste as it is on your waist.

Is ginger ale Anti Bacterial? ›

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is a well-known spice and herbal medicine to treat such symptoms as fever, cough, etc, especially its antibacterial activity, which made it widely used in clinic or as preservatives in food industry.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 5731

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.