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Try this healthy, simple-to-make ginger ale recipe. It’s naturally gluten-free and you can sweeten it however you choose.
It’s been HOT in Dallas…over 100 for 25+ days now. The blinds are closed. The AC is working overtime. No one goes outside for any length of time except for the rare fanatical jogger who just can’t help himself.
I have been holding out on this recipe for at least two months. I usually drink it before I can get a picture and, honestly, I hate to take pictures of drinks. They never look as good as I want them to.
Enough about my photographic insecurities…
Ginger has so many health benefits. It will soothe an upset stomach, aid digestion, and can prevent motion sickness. If you’re joints are achy, you might find some relief from regular doses of ginger. A little under the weather? Ginger can help boost your immune system, too.
It also tastes great. I love the spiciness of this homemade ginger ale – it’s suprisingly refreshing on a hot summer day.
Ginger root is sold in the produce section. I didn’t peel it but if you choose to, use the edge of a spoon to scrape the light brown exterior off. The spoon will easily get into the nooks and crannies of the spicy root. Find lemongrass in the fresh herb section. Sometimes it’s in a long stalk; other times it’s chopped into pieces and placed in a container. Don’t worry if you can’t find lemongrass – it’s optional.
Let’s talk sweeteners – I choose to drink this unsweetened or with a little stevia
Love ginger as much as I do? Try these other gluten-free ginger recipes:
- Healing Chicken Ginger Soup from Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen
- Ginger & Fudge Swirl Ice Cream (dairy-free) from The Spunky Coconut
- Anti-Inflammatory Juice Cocktails from The Daily Dietribe
- Curried Rice & Lentils from SS&GF
What’s your favorite way to use ginger?
A simple-to-make spicy & refreshing ginger ale.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sliced ginger root
- 1 stalk lemongrass, cut into pieces (optional)
- 4 cups of filtered water
- Pellegrino or other natural, sodium free sparkling mineral water
- Stevia to taste
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Put the sliced ginger and lemongrass pieces into a 4-quart saucepan. Cover with filtered water. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 1 hour – 1 hour 30 minutes. The longer it steeps, the spicier it gets.
- Strain into a 1-quart mason jar, discarding ginger and lemongrass. Cover and chill.
- To serve, combine 1 part ginger syrup and 3 parts Pellegrino and add ice. Sweeten to taste with stevia and add a lime wedge.
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Kristina Vanni
posted on July 28, 2011 at 11:02 am
I am obsessed with ginger ale…can’t wait to try this version! Fantastic recipe Amy!
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Andrea
posted on July 28, 2011 at 11:18 am
I think your drink photograph is fabulous! This recipes sounds yummy!
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Zoe
posted on July 28, 2011 at 11:43 am
I don’t think I’ve really drunk ginger ale but this looks good, Amy! I hear you on photographing drinks, it can be tricky, though I’m learning and even gaining preferences as to how I photograph them – enough to even feel confident about giving tips sometimes. (I did so some time ago on Twitter with Maggie of She Let Them Eat Cake.) I’ll have to do my own food photography post someday with all my tips.
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Amy Reply:
July 28th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
@Zoe, You should, Zoe! I feel like I’m always trying to improve my food photography…it’s not my strong point.
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Celia
posted on July 28, 2011 at 11:56 am
Your recipe for ginger ale looks awesome. I’m always up for adding something unexpected to my beverages. Lemongrass.. yum!
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Miz Helen
posted on July 28, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Hi Miz Amy,
This will soon be one of my favorites! Thanks for sharing a great drink!
Hope you are having a wonderful week.
Miz Helen
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Alta
posted on July 28, 2011 at 12:20 pm
I definitely need to make this. Sounds so refreshing. So the bubbles don’t go away when you’re heating the sparkling water?
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Amy Reply:
July 28th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
@Alta, The Pellegrino is a separate ingredient from the filtered water. Mix the ginger syrup with the Pellegrino once it’s cooled. Bubbly and refreshing.
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claudia
posted on July 28, 2011 at 12:37 pm
I feel the same way about pictures, I usually eat things before I have had time to take the pic, hahaha, Another thing that happens to me, is that some times i can’t take pictures with sunlight… and they look awful if i do not take them during the day.
I love ginger. I just made a ginger-maple ice-cream a couple of weeks ago, and I couldn’t stop eating
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Amy Reply:
July 28th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
@claudia, I know – pics without sunlight never turn out well. I haven’t made ice cream with ginger in it but it sounds fabulous.
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KatieC
posted on July 28, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Yum! I love ginger ale. I am always shocked when I order it at a restaurant or bar and the server unabashedly trots out half Coke/half Sprite, as if that’s anywhere close to what I’m expecting. Turkeys…
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Andrea
posted on July 28, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Amy, your pictures turned out beautiful!
I LOVE Ginger Ale… My dad was a pilot for AA for 32 years and I am flight attendant…needless to say I have been on airplanes ALL my life and my drink of choice has always been Ginger Ale… an airplane vacation just never seems right without one! However, I haven’t had a soda (or coke, where I’m from) in over 15 years!!!!! I can’t wait to try this recipe… I had fresh ginger in the fridge (I use it daily in some sort of beverage already, usually ginger mint mocktails!) and I immediately cut it up and have it steeping right now!!!!
Thanks so much for your creativity!
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Amy Reply:
July 28th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
@Andrea, How do you make your ginger mint mocktails? I have fresh mint growing outside of my house. Sounds so good!
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Linda
posted on July 28, 2011 at 3:37 pm
I’ve been making ginger/lemon iced tea all summer so I too have some ginger in the fridge. Never even considered making Ginger Ale, but I will now…thank you…always!
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Amy Reply:
July 28th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
@Linda, So good to hear from you, Linda. Was just thinking about you the other day. Hope all is going well. BTW – my dogs just love Lori.
Hugs,
Amy
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InTolerantChef
posted on July 28, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Ooh, this would be great with mint sprigs as well, yumm..
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Brandon
posted on July 28, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Wow, I love ginger ale! You’re right about it being super hot here in Texas. Can’t wait to try this.
BTW–according to nutrition data, ginger root is highly anti-inflammatory! http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2447/2
Lowering inflammation in the body is a great way to decrease bodily heat, if only by a little bit. Every bit helps, in my opinion.
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Amy Reply:
July 28th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
@Brandon, Yes, love that ginger can help with achy joints and other health problems. Thanks for the link!
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Debi
posted on July 28, 2011 at 6:45 pm
I love ginger ale! I am going to have to try this soon. While it hasn’t been quite as hot here, it’s still hot enough to want a nice cool quencher after walking through the door.
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Chris Pedersen
posted on July 28, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Just looking at your lovely picture and reading the recipe is refreshing! I’ve got to make this. Thanks, Amy.
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Ricki
posted on July 28, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Now why didn’t I think of this??? I haven’t had ginger ale in years because the ones you can buy contain either sugar or artificial sweeteners. I’ve been guzzling iced ginger-mint tea the past few weeks, which is great, but something a little different sounds even better! I can’t wait to try this. And your photo is lovely!
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Amy Reply:
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:47 am
@Ricki, I often wonder the same thing when I look at your recipes, Ricki.
We’ve got a new stevia sweetened soda line in the States called Zevia…I haven’t been moved to buy any yet. Have you seen it in Canada?
Hugs,
Amy
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kristine
posted on July 28, 2011 at 9:26 pm
neat idea! some days I love ginger and other days, I don’t… weird, i know! same with cilantro actually!
anyways– love your site!
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Amy Reply:
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:45 am
@kristine, Thanks, Kristine!
Not weird…just what works for you.
Hugs,
Amy
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Lori @ Laurel of Leaves
posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:39 pm
Yum! My husband especially loves ginger. Ginger Beer has been a treat for us to indulge in as we’ve been traveling in New Zealand, so I’m excited to make my own (healthy) Ginger Ale when we get back home!
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Amy Reply:
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:45 am
@Lori @ Laurel of Leaves, I hope you’re having an incredible trip, Lori!
Hugs,
Amy
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Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy
posted on July 30, 2011 at 7:06 am
That sounds yummy and easy!
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Christianne
posted on July 31, 2011 at 9:16 pm
This looks so refreshing and healthy! I don’t drink soft drinks however every once in a while during the holidays I might have a toast with ginger ale. This will certainly be MY new brew! Thanks Amy for another summer delight!
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Amy Reply:
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:42 am
@Christianne, I don’t do soda either – generally my body doesn’t like the carbonation. But, I do enjoy a tall glass of this ginger ale on really hot days. So good to hear from you!!
Hugs,
Amy
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Heidi
posted on August 2, 2011 at 12:21 pm
I have made one batch so far – omitted lemongrass since the store I went to did not stock it. (Will go elsewhere next shopping trip). I ended up doing a 2:1 for sparking water: syrup and I found it much more satisfying that way. Could be my tastebuds or else that I’m used to spicy ginger ale?? Either way, it was super refreshing indeedy. Thanks!
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Amy Reply:
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:38 am
@Heidi, That’s the great thing about this recipe…you can make it stronger or weaker to suit your tastes. My ginger ale at 1:4 was really spicy – my syrup could have been stronger. The important thing is that you found what works for you.
Hugs,
Amy
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Iris
posted on August 14, 2011 at 1:51 am
Thanks for the link love! This sounds like a great way to get my ginger in…
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Megan's Cookin'
posted on August 25, 2011 at 11:04 am
This sounds so refreshing and so easy to make. I think I’ll try a batch for the Labor Day camping trip.
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Kim of Mo'Betta
posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Just stumbled upon your blog while searching for sugar free ginger beer recipes. This sounds really easy and refreshing, can’t wait to give it a try and peruse your blog! (My husband is diabetic – so always looking for good SF recipes the whole family will enjoy!)
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Amy Reply:
September 8th, 2011 at 10:04 am
@Kim of Mo’Betta, So glad you found my site, Kim!
Hope you love this as much as I do.
Hugs,
Amy
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Theresa
posted on September 23, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Hi, LOVE your site and recipes!!!! This recipe sounds so yummy as i love ginger and lemongrass!! My son is hooked on soda and drinks it everyday! I know that it is no good. so i need to come up with drink alternatives. i am really concerned for my son. he goes for several days without drinking water. and just drinks soda and milk. he’s twenty two years old so trying to control what he drinks is a challenge!! If it doesn’t taste good he will not drink it! no reguard for health issues. so i think if i come up with good tasting, good for you, i might stand a chance to show him drinks can taste good and be good for you. any more suggestions? Thanks, Theresa
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kate
posted on February 10, 2012 at 3:48 pm
this looks fabulous – I am trying to cut out all diet sodas – tricky for me! I have a batch steeping on the stovetop as we speak and will use it with soda water from my Soda Stream.
Looking forward to making mine super spicy and NOT buying any more diet gingerale from the store! Thanks for the creative recipe.
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Gina
posted on March 4, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Could I make extra ginger syrup and store it in the fridge so I have it available when I want it? I’m trying to find a better alternative to sprite for my occasional upset stomach.
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Kimberly
posted on April 18, 2012 at 10:09 pm
I just made this and cant wait for it to cool so we can drink it! What do you do with the leftover ginger? I would hate to just toss it out, is it still usable?
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Amy Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 10:11 pm
@Kimberly, What do you mean by the leftover ginger?
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Hope
posted on October 20, 2012 at 10:54 am
How long will the ginger syrup keep in the fridge and/or could it be frozen?
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Amy Reply:
November 7th, 2012 at 11:53 pm
@Hope, I keep mine a few days. I guess you could freeze it; I’ve never tried. Let me know if you do.
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Miachel (Spiced Curiosity)
posted on May 23, 2013 at 10:12 am
This looks so good. My boyfriend is a big fan of Ginger Ale, so I’ll surprise him with it this weekend!
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Alisa
posted on May 23, 2013 at 10:12 am
Oh my gosh, you use lemongrass, too!! I’m in heaven.
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