Ginger Simple Syrup
This ginger simple syrup is an easy homemade syrup that adds fresh ginger flavor to everything from cocktails and mocktails to tea, coffee, lemonade, and desserts. Made with just three simple ingredients, it’s ready in minutes and keeps well in the refrigerator whenever you need a little sweet, spicy flavor.
Sweet spicy flavor makes it better
I was first introduced to ginger simple syrup while tending bar in Northern California, where it was a staple ingredient for cocktails and specialty drinks. After I started making it at home, I quickly realized it was just as useful in the kitchen as it was behind the bar. I fell in love with how easily it could add fresh ginger flavor to everything from drinks to desserts and ever since then I very often keep a jar in my refrigerator ready to use.
Unlike store-bought versions, homemade ginger simple syrup lets you control both the sweetness of the syrup and the intensity of the ginger. Whether you prefer a subtle hint of spice or a bold ginger kick, it’s easy to customize and comes together with just three simple ingredients. Once you make your first jar, you’ll find yourself making it again and again.
If you enjoy making homemade flavored syrups, be sure to try my old fashioned grape syrup, fresh lemon syrup, and homemade pear syrup too.
Recipe ingredients
- Water: Good water makes a better syrup. If your tap water has a strong chlorine or mineral taste, use bottled spring water instead to keep the finished syrup tasting clean and fresh. I use fresh well water because it has a neutral taste that’s ideal for recipes like this.
- Sugar: Plain granulated sugar is the traditional choice because it dissolves completely for a smooth, crystal-clear syrup. Organic cane sugar works just as well but may give the finished syrup a slightly deeper color. Save brown sugar for recipes where you want a richer, more caramel-like syrup, as the molasses flavor will soften the fresh character of the ginger.
- Fresh ginger: Choose ginger root that feels heavy for its size with smooth, firm skin and no soft spots or shriveled areas. Fresh, juicy ginger produces the cleanest flavor and the most aromatic syrup. Organic ginger is my preference because I can leave the peel on after a thorough scrub, saving time without sacrificing flavor.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make ginger simple syrup
Step 1: Wash the ginger thoroughly under cool running water, scrubbing away any dirt with a vegetable brush. If you’re using organic ginger, there’s no need to peel it. Slice the ginger into thin coins about ⅛ inch thick. Thin slices expose more surface area, allowing the ginger to release plenty of flavor without breaking down into tiny pieces that are difficult to strain.
Step 2: Combine the water, sugar, and sliced ginger in a small saucepan. Set the saucepan over medium heat and stir occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved. Once the syrup reaches a gentle simmer, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes. Avoid boiling vigorously, which can cook off too much water and give the syrup a harsher flavor.
Step 3: Remove the saucepan from the heat, cover it, and let the ginger steep in the hot syrup for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how strong you want the flavor. Taste the syrup after 15 minutes. For a milder syrup, strain it then. For a bolder ginger flavor, continue steeping, until it reaches your preferred intensity.
Step 4: Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof measuring cup or bowl, pressing lightly on the ginger slices to extract the remaining syrup without forcing solids through the mesh. Discard the ginger and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
Step 5: Transfer the cooled syrup to a clean glass jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Top tips
- Adjust the sweetness: For a less sweet syrup, use smaller amounts in your drinks rather than changing the sugar-to-water ratio. The classic 1:1 ratio gives the syrup the proper texture and helps it keep longer in the refrigerator.
- Make a double batch: This syrup keeps well in the refrigerator, so it’s worth making extra if you use it often. Doubling the recipe takes very little extra effort.
- Use a glass container for storage: Glass won’t absorb flavors or odors the way some plastics can, helping the syrup keep its fresh taste throughout its storage time.
- Label the jar with the date: Homemade syrups all look similar once they’re refrigerated. Dating the jar makes it easy to keep track of freshness.
- Freeze extra syrup in ice cube trays: Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. Thaw only what you need or drop a cube directly into hot tea to melt.
Serving ideas
Ginger simple syrup is one of those ingredients that finds its way into all kinds of recipes. A spoonful adds sweet ginger flavor to recipes without having to peel, grate, or juice fresh ginger every time you cook.
Stir it into hot tea, homemade iced tea, iced coffee made with a French press, classic homemade lemonade, sparkling water, cocktails, and mocktails to add smooth ginger flavor that blends in instantly. It’s especially good in my fresh squeezed orangeade and Arnold Palmer drink.
It also works well as a finishing syrup for desserts. Drizzle a little over vanilla ice cream, baked apples, roasted pears, or fresh berries just before serving. Or brush a thin layer over cake layers before frosting them to add moisture and a subtle ginger flavor, especially in cakes like my vanilla caramel cake from scratch, sweet potato spice cake, and homemade lemon crunch cake.
A spoonful can also be stirred into warm oatmeal, plain yogurt, homemade caramel applesauce, or small batch blueberry compote for an easy boost of flavor. You can even drizzle it over homemade farmhouse pancakes instead of traditional maple syrup for a sweet, lightly spiced ginger flavor.
Other recipes you’ll love
If you loved this homemade simple syrup recipe, give these other great condiment recipes a try too!
Small Batch Strawberry Jalapeño Jam (Low Sugar Recipe)
Honey Whipped Cream Cheese Recipe (Smooth and Spreadable)
Farmhouse Ranch Dressing From Scratch (No Packet)
Creamy Submarine Dressing Recipe
Ginger Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup thinly sliced fresh ginger
Instructions
- Wash the ginger thoroughly. If using organic ginger, scrub it well and leave the peel on. Otherwise, peel the ginger before slicing it into thin ⅛-inch rounds.
- Combine the water, sugar, and sliced ginger in a small saucepan. Place over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 10 minutes. Do not allow the syrup to boil vigorously.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat, cover, and let the ginger steep for 15-30 minutes. Taste the syrup and steep a little longer if you prefer a stronger ginger flavor.
- Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean glass jar or bottle, discarding the ginger slices.
- Cool completely before sealing and refrigerating. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Fresh ginger produces the brightest, cleanest flavor. Avoid ginger that feels soft, shriveled, or has moldy spots.
- Use a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil. Boiling too vigorously can reduce the syrup more than intended and produce a stronger, sweeter syrup.
- Freeze leftover syrup in ice cube trays, then transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Individual cubes are convenient for tea, cocktails, lemonade, and other drinks.
- If sugar crystals develop after refrigeration, warm the syrup gently until the crystals dissolve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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