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Ginger Syrup for Homemade Ginger Ale

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This ginger syrup is a favorite for me. It makes the best ginger ale. It’s sweet and spicy and complex.

I used to imagine ginger ale was one of those mysterious beverages that required a lab or a factory or complicated equipment to produce. (I used to feel the same way about tonic.)

It turns out that’s not the case. And there’s something magical about being able to conjure up a drink like that with simple ingredients at home.

Star anise, ginger root, vanilla bean, cardamom pods, whole nutmeg

I spent a long time looking for a ginger syrup recipe that would make the kind of ginger ale I like to drink. And I was repeatedly disappointed.

I tried a few that I found too sharp and hot to drink on their own. And others that were just boring.

So I made up my own version with ginger as the star, but a bunch of other complementary spices to make it more interesting. And I tweaked it a few times until I found a combination of flavors that felt full and round and pleasantly sippable.

Ginger syrup for homemade ginger ale. A creamy, complex syrup that's not too spicy. Perfect for Moscow Mules, Dark & Stormies, and Jack & Gingers. From Blossom to Stem | Because Delicious | www.blossomtostem.net

It’s so ridiculously easy to make.

Just chop some ginger, throw in a few other spices and a vanilla bean, add some sugar and water and simmer. Then strain out the solids and let the syrup cool.

Then top with sparkling water for a homemade ginger ale.

Ginger syrup for homemade ginger ale. A creamy, complex syrup that's not too spicy. Perfect for Moscow Mules, Dark & Stormies, and Jack & Gingers. From Blossom to Stem | Because Delicious | www.blossomtostem.net

Add some fresh lime juice if you’re feeling citrusy. Add some booze if you’re in the mood for a Moscow Mule or any of its many variations.

But still, I think this perfectly delightful as a nonalcoholic beverage for children and adults alike.

This is not a ginger syrup for ginger beer, which tends to be extra spicy with gingery heat. The heat on this one is perceptible but subtle.

This is, rather, a ginger syrup for ginger ale.

One that is smooth, creamy with vanilla bean (what can I say, I’m a Michigan girl who grew up drinking Vernor’s), and complex with a variety of warming spices including cardamom and nutmeg and star anise to round out the flavor.

(And I know you want to murder me for saying vanilla bean because they cost like a bazillion dollars, so I’m also going to let you know that you can absolutely get away with vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste if you want to.)

Too many ginger syrup recipes rely on ginger alone, which, to me at least, makes them one note and flat. Here, the ginger is still front and center but is surrounded by a group of supporting players to give it depth.

Ginger syrup

This ginger syrup pretty much makes my perfect ginger ale. The kind I can add vanilla ice cream to for floats or mix with smoky mezcal for a Mezcal Mule.

But you can feel free to tweak it to your tastes.

Bump up the cardamom or skip the star anise or throw in lemon or lime zest if you prefer. If you want it spicier, add more ginger. Feel free to play around with it–it’s flexible.

Adding soda water to ginger syrup to make ginger ale

As for me, I’ll be enjoying it with some sparkling water and some lime.

Cheers.

Ginger syrup for homemade ginger ale. A creamy, complex syrup that's not too spicy. Perfect for Moscow Mules, Dark & Stormies, and Jack & Gingers. From Blossom to Stem | Because Delicious | www.blossomtostem.net
Overhead view of homemade ginger ale
Yield: 12 ounces

Ginger Syrup for Homemade Ginger Ale

Adding soda water to ginger syrup to make ginger ale

This ginger syrup makes a smooth, creamy, complex ginger ale. It's not too spicy. If you want more of a ginger beer flavor profile, use more ginger (I'd start with one and a half times the amount here). There's no need to peel the ginger for this. Just be sure to rinse it thoroughly first. I like using whole nutmeg and whole cardamom pods here because grated spices are difficult to strain out and will make the syrup gritty. If you don't have a vanilla bean, you can leave it out and add a teaspoon of vanilla extract at the end, but it will be better with the vanilla bean. I like to use a mix of turbinado and plain granulated sugar, but you either variety For ginger ale, I like to use a 3:1 ratio of sparkling water to syrup, which means an 8-ounce glass of ginger ale would use a 1/4 cup of syrup and 6 ounces of sparkling water. I also like to add a squeeze of freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice for a bright citrus note.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 100 grams (3 3/4 ounces) fresh ginger, chopped into small pieces
  • 1 whole nutmeg, roughly chopped into 4-6 pieces
  • 1 vanilla bean, split half lengthwise
  • 4-6 green cardamom pods
  • 1-2 star anise pods
  • 200 grams (1 cup) sugar
  • 475 grams (2 cups) water

Instructions

  1. Add the ginger, nutmeg, vanilla bean, cardamom and star anise, sugar and water to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer and let simmer for about 45 minutes or up to an hour.
  2. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
  3. Strain through a fine mesh strainer. Discard the solids and transfer the syrup to an airtight bottle or jar. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Keeps for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Mix 3 parts sparkling water to 1 part syrup for ginger ale.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 66Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 0gSugar: 17gProtein: 0g

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CarolB

Saturday 30th of October 2021

Made this yesterday for ginger beer in Moscow mule. Leftout vanilla and zested a rind of lime and it was wonderful. I coated the leftover ginger with a little raw sugar and served as a garnish with the moscow mule. Fabulous recipe, will definitely make again.

Carol

Thursday 14th of October 2021

From another Michigan gal: Thank you!

Kalindi

Saturday 6th of June 2020

Thanks so much for sharing this great recipe. I’ve made several versions of homemade ginger ale and this is by far my favorite. The addition of cardamom and star anise give it great depth and character. I can’t wait to check out more of your recipes!

David Fankhauser

Wednesday 15th of January 2020

This is a recipe not for ginger syrup, but for “multiple spices” syrup. Real Ginger syrup is much easier to make and more straightforward. I wonder why you added so many different complexing spices which obscure the delicious flavor of Ginger? If one wants to make ginger ale, all it takes, added to a 2 liter bottle, is one the juice of a lemon, 3/4 cup sugar, and a quarter cup of simple ginger syrup, and 1/4 tsp yeast. Seal, refrigerate after two weeks at 68 F.

Mary Kasprzak

Wednesday 15th of January 2020

As I explain above, I find a ginger syrup made only with ginger too sharp and one-note. Many ginger ales are actually made with a supporting mixture of spices. Your preferences may differ. There are many recipes like the one you mention out there (and carbonating with yeast can lead to exploding bottles, so I tend not to recommend it).

Andrew Wheeler

Sunday 23rd of June 2019

This is quite a good recipe. The spices give it such a wonderful depth. Far better than the plain ginger-and-sugar recipes I found elsewhere.

A couple of small critiques. 1) I found the vanilla far too dominant. Next time, I'm going to add just a half or quarter bean so that it is more balanced and in harmony with the other flavours. 2) I found this too sweet (and I am a sugar junkie). Will cut back the sugar by about a quarter.

Thanks so much for posting this!

Mary Kasprzak

Thursday 27th of June 2019

Thanks, Andrew. I encourage everyone to tweak to their liking.

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