Homemade Ginger Soda Recipe
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When it’s hot outside, I like a summer drink that’s cold, fizzy, and not overly sweet. This homemade ginger soda recipe checks all three boxes. It’s got a warm ginger flavor, plenty of fizz, and comes together in just a few minutes.
What is ginger syrup soda?
Ginger soda is a simple homemade fizzy drink made with ginger syrup and sparkling water. The syrup gives it the sweetness and fresh ginger flavor, while the sparkling water makes it cold and bubbly.
If you’ve tried bottled ginger ale before, this is quite different. The ginger flavor is fresher and more noticeable, and you can control the sweetness yourself.
I recommend making a batch of my ginger syrup ahead of time and keeping it in the fridge. That way, whenever you want a glass of ginger soda, all you need to do is add ice, syrup, and sparkling water.
The nice thing about making it yourself is that you get to decide how strong and sweet it is. If you like a stronger ginger flavor, add a little more syrup. If you prefer something lighter, use less syrup and more sparkling water.
I like mine fairly gingery but not overly sweet, so I usually start with 2 tablespoons of syrup and adjust from there.
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Ingredient notes & substitutes
You’ll find everything you need at most grocery stores. Head to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
For making the ginger syrup
- Fresh ginger: Use fresh ginger. This is where most of the flavor comes from, so I wouldn’t substitute ground ginger here.
- Water: Regular drinking water is fine.
- Sugar: White sugar keeps the syrup clear and lets the ginger flavor come through.
For making the soda
- Sparkling water: Use sparkling water straight from the fridge. I like it very cold because you don’t need to add as much ice, which means the drink doesn’t get watered down as quickly.
- Lime or lemon: I like adding a slice or wedge to the glass. It looks nice and adds a little fresh citrus flavor as you drink.
How to make ginger soda
1: Make the syrup. Roughly chop the ginger, then blend it with half the water in a food processor. Pour the mixture into a saucepan with the remaining water and sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes, then strain through cheesecloth and squeeze the ginger pulp firmly to extract as much syrup as possible. Let cool completely.
2: Fill the glass with ice. Fill a glass with ice, leaving enough room for the ginger syrup and sparkling water.
3: Add the ginger syrup. Pour 2 tablespoons of the syrup over the ice.
This is a good starting point, but don’t feel like you have to stick to that amount. If you like it stronger or sweeter, add a little more syrup.
4: Add the sparkling water and garnish. Slowly pour in the cold sparkling water, then give it a gentle stir. Add a slice of lime or lemon to the rim of the glass and serve right away.
How to store
The extra ginger syrup can be stored in a clean, airtight bottle or jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Let it cool completely before refrigerating.
I recommend making a fresh glass of the soda whenever you want one rather than making it ahead of time, since the sparkling water will lose its fizz.
Homemade Ginger Soda Recipe
Equipment
- Food processor
- Saucepan
- Cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer
- Serving glass
Ingredients
For the syrup
- 1.8 oz fresh ginger, roughly chopped
- 1 cup water, divided in half
- ½ cup sugar
For the soda
- 1 cup crushed ice, or as needed to fill your glass
- 2 tbsp ginger syrup
- sparkling water, as needed to fill the glass
Instructions
- Make the ginger syrup: Blend the roughly chopped ginger with half the water. Add to a saucepan with the remaining water and sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes, then strain through cheesecloth and squeeze the ginger pulp well. Let the syrup cool completely.
- Fill a glass with ice: Add enough ice to leave room for the ginger syrup and sparkling water.
- Add the ginger syrup: Pour 2 tablespoons of chilled ginger syrup over the ice. Adjust to taste for a stronger or sweeter soda.
- Add sparkling water: Slowly pour in the cold sparkling water and gently stir. Garnish with lime or lemon and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.