I grew up drinking gingerale whenever we had a sore throat or a cold – or just as a treat. We’ve been going through a lot of gingerale here this winter due to constantly passing the same colds back and forth within the family. And living outside of town, it’s not always convenient to just run to the store when one of the kids complains of a sore throat.
I thought I would try to make some myself, thinking that it would be something at least slightly better for us than store bought pop with the extra ingredients. Gingerale is probably one of the better (if there is such a thing) of the pops for having a short list of ingredients, but it turns out that you can make that list even shorter by making it at home. And it’s easy.
Ginger is supposed to be good for sore throats, digestive problems and nausea. I think it makes a good treat with some popcorn on a Saturday night. Both of the kids agreed that this tastes just like store bought gingerale.
Now that I have made it and have seen how easy it is to make, I will keep a steady supply of ginger in the freezer (I just recently learned that you can freeze ginger root) and some ready made ginger syrup (in ice cube form) in the freezer as well – just to have both on hand.
Ginger Syrup
- ~6 inch piece of ginger, finely chopped
- juice of one lemon (~2 tbsp)
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups sugar
Place everything in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for about an hour or until ginger flavour is very strong. Cool, strain through a seive and store in a covered container in the fridge. It should keep for a week or two.
To make a glass of gingerale, add one to two tablespoons of syrup to a glass of club soda.
It will last for one to two weeks if stored in the fridge.
Linked to Frugally Sustainable, GNOWFGLINS
lightlycrunchy 
Woot!! I am all over this. We’ve been inhaling the ginger ale for weeks now : /
Thanks, Heidi!! Here’s to healthier days ahead!
I hope you have better luck dumping the colds than we have so far..
this sounds great and pretty darn close to healthy – you are so innovative – love the idea of popcorn and gingerale on movie night
Innovative.. easily distracted.. take your pick 🙂
sounds like me–a good and dangerous combo
My husband got hooked on making homemade ginger syrup (also useful for making Dark and Stormies!) a few years ago. Try adding a little sprinkle of red pepper for kick! And if you take that ginger and place it in a bowl of more sugar and let it dry out, you’ve got homemade crystallized ginger to nibble on or add into baked goods. Yum! And to freeze ginger, peel it, cut it in 1 in chunks, soak it in a bit of water with lemon juice to keep it from turning dark, and then drain and pop into a ziploc. You can pull out a chunk at a time when you need it.
I had to look up a Dark and Stormy to see what it was – it sounds pretty good. I would have just mixed it with rye whiskey if I was making a cocktail type thingie, but rum sounds good too. With more ginger mix..
We love ginger ale at our house – especially during flu season. I’ll have to bookmark this recipe for the next round. I’m hoping that won’t be until next winter, but that might be optimistic of me!
I hope you are better at warding it off than we were. Good luck.
We had a horrible season here! Had flu shots and got the flu (different brand apparently) a week later. That lasted a whole month. Worst winter ever for the flu for our family. I keep telling myself that it built up our immune systems. For what, I have no idea!
How perfect is this, I have a seltzer machine and now i can make ginger ale !! This is on my list to buy this week, what a treat on Easter this will be, Thanks !!
I would love to try out all sorts of flavoured syrups if I had a seltzer machine. Hope you like it.
I’m going to have to try this, my grand daughter has another cold and hates to take anything medicinal. I started to give her honey on a spoon which she likes and mom has been continuing this at home, but this cold is hanging on.
I’ve tried the honey on the spoon before too. Mine will take it if their throat is sore enough, but prefer ginger ale.
I wonder if this could be made with a sugar substitute like Stevia?? I’m going to experiment. Thank you for this!!
I’m not sure – I’ve never used stevia before. You might try honey too.
I am a ginger addict (must be because of my hair – ginger too!) I have just had more Ginger creams tonight than I should have whilst watching a program on TV. I will certainly copy your recipe and have a go at it.
Oh I remember the ginger ale when we were sick ….It was soothing… You are so smart to figure out a way to make even that…!!! Diane
Now this does sounds easy enough that might give it a try. Ginger ale is always a treat.
You genius! I can’t wait to make this, and I have loads of frozen minced ginger.
I feel dumb that I never thought of making it myself before. It really is good – and you can make it strong like ginger beer, if you like it spicier.
Yes, that’s EXACTLY what I want to do. I think I’m going to surprise my husband. Ginger Beer is his very most favorite thing!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE ginger ale, so I’m oh so tempted to make this – and I suppose I could add water (to save buying club soda) and just have it like cordial. Coincidence, but just today the BF complained of a sore throat – if he was nearby I might subject him to this (he’s not the hugest ginger fan though)
Thanks for sharing!
Happy Easter Heidi!
Ginger is my all time favourite! Thank you very much for this delicious recipe. 🙂
This looks lovely – and if it keeps colds at bay then it’s marvellous in my eyes x
My mum is currently undergoing chemo (thankfully it’s only precautinary following an op) but ginger ale is the one thing that helps with the nausea and general yuckiness she feels sometimes. We were thinking about making our own, so this post couldn’t have come at a better time! Thanks!
You’re welcome. I hope she feels better soon.