Ginger Simple Syrup Recipe for Cocktails and Mocktails

Ginger is a key ingredient in many modern and classic cocktails, with its uniquely refreshing yet spicy flavor. Ginger simple syrup concentrates that vibrant zesty flavor into an easy-to-use ingredient for cocktails, mocktails, and drinks of all kinds.

Whether you’re making a classic cocktail, experimenting with your own recipes, or you just want to make simple ginger limeade or iced tea – this ginger-infused simple syrup is the only recipe you’ll ever need.

One syrup with many uses

This syrup has become a staple in my home bar simply because it’s easy to make and very economical. I don’t always have ginger ale or ginger beer on hand, but if I keep a small bottle of ginger juice around, I can whip up a fresh batch of ginger syrup in just a couple of minutes.

And if you’re spending a lot on premium ginger ales or ginger beers for mixed drinks like the Moscow Mule, this recipe can save you a lot of money, too! Simply mix an ounce of ginger syrup with chilled sparkling water or club soda to make instant ginger soda.

Two methods to make one syrup

My favorite way to make ginger syrup is with ginger juice, which makes the process super quick and easy without sacrificing flavor. If using ginger juice, you don’t even need to use your stove top. You’ll simply combine the three ingredients and stir until all sugar has dissolved.

However, it’s also very easy to make ginger syrup from fresh ginger root, so I’ll include instructions for both methods below. Although it does take a little bit longer to make the syrup with fresh ginger, the flavor is well worth the extra effort. For the fresh ginger syrup recipe, you’ll combine water and sugar with peeled ginger root and cook the mixture until flavorful.

Customize the syrup to suit your taste

The best part about this homemade ginger simple syrup is that it allows for complete control over the intensity and sweetness levels, so you can easily tailor it to suit your taste. I will provide my general guidelines below, but you can adjust the amount of ginger or sugar used.

Rich ginger simple syrup

You can also easily make rich ginger syrup by doubling the quantity of sugar. Rich simple syrup uses a ratio of 2 parts sugar to 1 part water. Rich syrups will keep for longer due to the higher sugar content, and they also have a silkier texture.

Sweeteners

This recipe uses basic table sugar because it’s something most people have in their pantry. However, you can easily substitute other types of sugar such as turbinado, demerara, cane sugar, or brown sugar. Just keep in mind that different sugars will give the finished syrup a different color and a slightly different flavor.

In addition to sugar, you could choose to sweeten this syrup partially or fully with honey, maple syrup, or even molasses. If using all liquid sweetener, the first syrup making method below (using ginger juice instead of ginger root) would be the best choice.

You can make this syrup a low carb and keto option by replacing the sugar with powdered erythritol or allulose. Learn more about low carb home bartending in my Definitive Guide to Low Carb and Keto Cocktails.

Best brands of ginger syrup to buy

If you don’t have ginger juice or ginger root or you’re short on time, you can find ginger syrup in most grocery or natural foods stores.

My favorite brand for cocktail syrups is Liber & Co and they make a great Fiery Ginger Syrup. It’s delicious but it does live up to its name, so if you prefer a more mild ginger syrup, try Liquid Alchemist Ginger Syrup or make a customized batch at home.

How to make ginger syrup

As mentioned above, there are two easy ways to make ginger syrup. Neither is complicated, but the first method is my favorite because it makes instant syrup – no need to cook or dirty dishes. The second method is more traditional and it’s perfect if you have fresh ginger root on hand.

Ginger syrup using ginger juice

If you’re short on time, lazy, or don’t have the patience to wait for a boiled simple syrup to cool down, this is the recipe for you! It has all the delicious flavor of fresh ginger, but in an uber convenient liquid form.

You can adjust the quantity of ginger juice used to suit your tastes. Also, the longer the ginger juice sits open in the fridge, the less potent the flavor will become. If you’re not sure, just add a little at a time until you’re happy with the flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup The Ginger People Ginger Juice
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup warm water

Instructions:

In a large mason jar, mixing glass, or other container, combine all ingredients and stir until all of the sugar has dissolved. Store your ginger syrup in a clean glass container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Ginger syrup using ginger root

This method takes about 30 to 40 minutes total, but only 10 to 15 minutes of active cook time. The bulk of the time is spent waiting for the syrup to cool down. You can remove the ginger from the syrup while it’s still hot to speed things up, but you’ll get a deeper flavor if you let it infuse longer.

Ingredients:

• 1 to 2 pieces of ginger root, each 3-4″ long
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water

Instructions:

To make the syrup with fresh ginger, you’ll need roughly 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of peeled, chopped root. Fresh ginger is potent, so you can use a piece as small as your thumb with good results. I tend to like my syrup more zesty, so I will choose a couple of pieces that are 3-4 inches long.

Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin from your ginger root. Next, roughly chop the root into several pieces and add them to a small saucepan. Now, add your sugar and water and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and let cook for 10-15 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool before straining out the ginger chunks. Pour your finished syrup into a clean glass container and store it in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Ginger fun facts

We all know what ginger tastes like, but where does ginger come from? Believe it or not, ginger is a beautiful flowering plant that produces large, bright red or pink blooms. The root of the ginger plant has been used throughout history as a spice and also for medicinal purposes.

It is known for its potential health benefits, such as helping with inflammation and digestive properties. I can absolutely testify to the soothing power of ginger chews for when your tummy isn’t feeling great.

Ginger is botanically known as Zingiber officinale. It’s native to Southeast Asia. It has been cultivated for thousands of years in regions including China, Japan, and Indonesia. Today, ginger is grown in various tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including India, China, Nigeria, Thailand, and Jamaica.

If you love ginger, check out The Ginger People. They make all kinds of wonderful ginger products including the top notch ginger juice I use in the first syrup recipe below.

Cocktails that use ginger syrup

Some cocktails that you can use ginger syrup in are the classic Moscow Mule, the Penicillin, my Ginger Whiskey Smash, my Lemon Vodka Cocktail, and my Mandarin Ginger Gin Sour.

How to substitute ginger syrup for ginger beer

You can easily substitute ginger syrup for ginger ale or ginger beer. Simply use 1 ounce (2 tbsp) ginger syrup and top with 6-8 ounces of very carbonated sparkling water or club soda. You can add more syrup for a stronger ginger soda. Now let’s walk through a recipe to get an idea of what this looks like in practice:

Moscow Mule with Ginger Syrup

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz ginger syrup
• 6-8 oz club soda
• Squeeze of lime

Combine all ingredients over plenty of ice in a copper mule mug or a highball glass. Stir gently, then garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime wedge, if desired.

More ginger drink recipes

If you enjoy pineapple and ginger, try my 5 Minute Pineapple and Ginger Syrup. Recipes that use that variation include my Pineapple Ginger Espresso Sour and Pineapple Matcha Drink.

If you opt to make your ginger syrup with honey, you’ll want to try my Honey Ginger French 75 or Pear Ginger Pisco Sour!

Looking for a mocktail? Try my Spicy Jalapeno Mule Mocktail or my Blood Orange Turmeric Ginger Mocktail.