Fresh Ginger Simple Syrup

Ginger simple syrup in a corked glass bottle with gingerroot on the side

​The Spruce Eats / Ali Redmond

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Infusion: 60 mins
Total: 85 mins
Servings: 16 servings
Yield: 1 cup

Ginger syrup is a very useful ingredient for the kitchen and home bar. It's easy to make at home and allows you to add the sweet spice to your drink routine.

This recipe provides the foundation for making your own ginger ale or ginger liqueur, the latter of which can then be used in a number of other ginger-based cocktails. It's also a great liquid sweetener for tea drinks and coffee, and can be put to use as a base for a ginger lemonade. Ginger syrup lends itself to additional flavor infusions such as vanilla or spicy peppers, which can be added to the syrup to play up the sweet or spicy notes.

The recipe is extremely simple and no different than any other homemade syrup. Essentially, you'll dissolve sugar in water over heat and add the flavoring by allowing fresh ginger to infuse its distinct taste into the syrup. You can peel it or not—it doesn't much matter in terms of taste. The whole process takes just a few minutes of your time and the cost is minimal. The rewards, however, are many, for the adventurous home mixologist.

"This ginger simple syrup was flavorful and super easy to make. I added some to a glass of club soda and turned it into ginger ale! Aside from using in cocktails, it would be good brushed over cake layers or spice cupcakes. Or add some teaspoons to pancake syrup for a hint of ginger flavor." —Diana Rattray

Ginger Simple Syrup Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 3/4 cup water

  • 1 cup sliced fresh ginger root, peeled

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for ginger simple syrup recipe gathered

    ​The Spruce Eats / Ali Redmond

  2. In a saucepan on medium heat, combine the sugar and water.

    Sugar and water combined in a saucepan

    ​The Spruce Eats / Ali Redmond

  3. Stir constantly until the sugar is dissolved.

    Bubbling sugar and water mixture being stirred with a wooden spatula

    ​The Spruce Eats / Ali Redmond

  4. Add the ginger and continue to heat, bringing the syrup to a light boil.

    Ginger slices added to simmering sugar syrup in saucepan

    ​The Spruce Eats / Ali Redmond

  5. Cover, reduce heat, and allow to simmer for about 15 minutes.

    Ginger slices simmering in syrup in a saucepan covered with a lid

    ​The Spruce Eats / Ali Redmond

  6. Remove from the heat and allow to cool and steep in the covered pan for about 1 hour or until it reaches your preferred taste.

    Ginger slices in syrup in a covered saucepan resting on a tea towel

    ​The Spruce Eats / Ali Redmond

  7. Strain out the ginger and bottle under a tight seal.

    Ginger slices being strained from the syrup through a fine wire mesh sieve

    ​The Spruce Eats / Ali Redmond

  8. Mix into your favorite drinks and enjoy!

    Ginger simple syrup in a corked glass bottle

    ​The Spruce Eats / Ali Redmond

Tips

  • To make straining easier, slices or chunks of ginger are better. Grated fresh ginger will work, but you will need to finely strain it to remove all of the pieces.
  • You can adjust the sugar and water ratio. Make it richer with 2 parts sugar and 1 part water, or back off on the sweetness with a straight 1:1 mix. The proportions in this recipe add a bit more sweetness against the spice.
  • Ginger syrup is excellent with other types of sugar, especially raw and brown sugars.

Recipe Variations

Ginger syrup does not have to be one-dimensional. Try these other flavors:

  • Vanilla-ginger simple syrup brings a little sweetness that softens the ginger. Use a whole vanilla bean or a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
  • Chile peppers add a little heat but you don't want to "burn" the flavor, so remove the peppers before the ginger infusion is done. Place a whole chile pepper into the simmering syrup. Remove it from the heat, and taste the syrup. If the pepper infusion is to your liking, remove it, and continue the ginger infusion. If not, add the pepper back for a few more minutes. Most peppers will need just 5 minutes.
  • Winter spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice, are made for ginger syrup. Combine the ginger, cinnamon, clove, and allspice used in the gingersnap martini and create a syrup to use in that martini or try it in hot toddies or coffee.
  • Other flavors to try in ginger syrup include coconut, mint, and lemon or lime.

Can Ginger Simple Syrup Be Frozen?

Yes, you can freeze ginger simple syrup. When frozen in ice cube trays, ginger simple syrup will be opaque and firm, but still slightly soft. Add cubes to club soda, iced tea, or lemonade.

How Long Does Homemade Ginger Syrup Last?

If kept covered in the fridge, ginger simple syrup should keep for up to two weeks, but may last a little bit longer than that. If it's no good, you'll notice little bits of mold. Pitch it, and start over.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
53 Calories
0g Fat
14g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 53
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 1mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 25mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)