Homemade Ginger Ale Recipe
An exclusive peak into the PlantYou Scrappy Cookbook, this homemade ginger ale recipe will be your favorite summer drink! With only 5 ingredients and half an hour of your time, it’s both easy and healthy.
With the summer just around the corner, it’s good to have a refreshing drink recipe on hand. This homemade ginger ale recipe is an exclusive look into my second cookbook, PlantYou Scrappy Cooking. Not only is it delicious but it’s low waste, too!
The best part? This refreshing drink takes less than half an hour and only FIVE INGREDIENTS, including water!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Lemon and ginger is a match made in heaven! If you love lemon and ginger tea, this homemade ginger ale recipe is a refreshing reimagining of the same flavors.
- This recipe is easier than you might think! It takes half an hour and ONLY 5 INGREDIENTS to make.
- It’s way cheaper than store-bought ginger ale. Not to mention, you have full control over the ingredients, including the ratio of sweetness.
- The key to getting scrappy is to make use of produce to the maximum. For example, the ginger pulp leftover from this homemade ginger ale recipe will not go to waste!
- Ginger is a natural digestion aid that can be used as a prophylactic measure or to ease discomfort.
What Is Ginger Ale?
Ginger ale is a carbonated soft drink with ginger as the primary flavor. It typically contains carbonated water, sugar or sweeteners, and ginger. Some varieties may also contain additional flavorings such as lemon, lime, or other spices.
Traditional ginger ale was originally made by fermenting ginger root, sugar, and water, similar to the process used to make ginger beer. However, most modern commercial ginger ale is non-alcoholic (just like this recipe!).
Ginger ale is famous for its refreshing and slightly spicy flavor, which comes from the ginger root. It is delicious on its own as a soft drink or as a mixer in cocktails, such as a Dark and Stormy.
In addition to the signature taste, ginger ale is sometimes used as a home remedy for soothing upset stomachs or relieving nausea, due to ginger’s natural anti-nausea properties.
Ginger Ale vs. Ginger Beer
The main differences between ginger ale and ginger beer lie in their flavor, ingredients, and production process.
- Ginger ale typically has a milder flavor compared to ginger beer. It tends to be sweeter and lighter in taste, with a crisp and refreshing quality.
- Ginger beer is still brewed using natural fermentation, resulting in a slightly alcoholic beverage. On the other hand, ginger ale has evolved into a non-alcoholic mixture of carbonated water, ginger, sweetener, and other flavorings.
- Ginger ale is typically clear and light in color. Ginger beer, on the other hand, may have a cloudy appearance and a more complex flavor profile.
Overall, while both ginger ale and ginger beer share the main flavor, they differ in terms of flavor intensity, ingredients, and production methods, offering distinct taste experiences.
How to Make This Recipe
The first step is super easy! Bring ginger and water to a boil, then simmer in a saucepan for approximately 20 minutes.
Then, remove your pot from the heat and strain the contents using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
Don’t throw away the pulp! There are lots of scrappy ways of using leftover ginger instead of tossing it (see below).
Combine the resulting liquid with lemon juice and maple syrup. Taste and adjust as needed!
To serve, add ice to a large glass, along with the ginger-infused liquid (half a cup to a cup) and sparkling water to top it off. Stir and enjoy immediately.
Hack It!
- You can save the remaining ginger pulp in ice cube trays for stir-fries, curries or smoothies. You can also seep it in hot water for a soothing ginger tea.
- Depending on how strong you want the ginger flavor, you can adjust the ratio of the “tea” you made and the sparkling water.
- Similarly, you can adjust the amount of lemon juice and maple syrup (or another sweetener) according to your preference.
- You can further customize the flavor of this homemade ginger ale recipe to your liking. For instance, you can use lime instead of lemon, or dilute the ginger liquid with coconut water for a tropical experience.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Ginger Juice, Tea, and Spice (Zero Waste)
- Switchel (Nature’s Gatorade)
- Homemade Green Juice Recipe
- Apple Carrot Beet (ABC) Juice
- Pineapple Skin Tea
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The Recipe: Homemade Ginger Ale Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 2 inches ginger root, grated
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 4 cups sparkling water, or seltzer water
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine the water with the grated ginger. Bring to a boil, then simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, and using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, strain out the ginger pulp, reserving the remaining liquid. You can place the remaining ginger pulp in ice cube trays for ginger stir-fries or smoothies.
- Combine the ginger liquid with lemon juice and maple syrup. Per serving, to a large glass, add ice, then 1/2 cup to 1 cup of the ginger liquid, followed by 1/2 cup to 1 cup of the sparkling water, depending on desired strength of the ginger ale. Stir and enjoy immediately.
