Fresh Ginger Simple Syrup

Name: Fresh Ginger Simple Syrup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1 cup white sugar; 1 cup fresh ginger root (peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces)

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Give your cocktails, lemonade and homemade sodas the perfect spice kick with this fresh ginger simple syrup! After steeping in a classic simple syrup, we blend the ginger into the mixture to create an even more flavorful syrup than just infusing can't match. You will absolutely love the way this spiced-up ginger syrup takes your drinks to the next level.

A glass of fresh ginger simple syrup with white flowers surrounding it on a piece of cheesecloth.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
How to Use
Recipe FAQs
Expert Tips
Perfect Pairing
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Adds an instant twist to any drink: One of my favorite techniques to add a unique twist to a drink is to make a specialty simple syrup. For instance, my strawberry-basil Tom Collins, chai bourbon smash and sage-fig cocktail all use their own specialty simple syrups that make for more interesting drinks.

A different technique for getting the best flavor: Most ginger simple syrup recipes include an infusion but no blending. I used to make my homemade ginger syrup this way until I discovered the blending tip from a cocktail Facebook group – talk about a game-changer. The ginger flavor is so much more prominent.

Simple as it gets: If you’ve never made a homemade simple syrup, the process truly couldn’t be easier, and the flavor is much better than those store-bought syrups. It’s well-worth putting forth minimal effort to get a perfectly crafted drink.

Bonus: For more homemade simple syrup recipes, check out my raspberry simple syrup, spiced cranberry simple syrup, gingerbread simple syrup and brown sugar-chai simple syrup.

Ingredients

The ingredient list doesn’t get easier than this, huh? Let’s review just a couple notes for you.

Sugar: White sugar is standard and allows the ginger to shine, but feel free to experiment with other sweeteners. You could substitute 1 cup white sugar for 1 cup honey, which would be great in a ginger bee’s knees, honeyed lemonade or sweet tea. Or when the holidays come around, you can use brown sugar instead for an additional molasses flavor.

Fresh ginger root: Make sure you use fresh ginger here. You can find it in the produce section of the grocery store.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: We first prepare our fresh ginger by peeling it and cutting it into 1-inch chunks. I find peeling ginger with the edge of a spoon like so (photo 1) is the easiest method.

Peeling the ginger on a cutting board with a silver spoon.

Step 2: Now we add the water, sugar and sliced ginger to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer and then boil (photo 2). Every so often, we give the ginger syrup a stir to help dissolve the sugar. Once it boils, we turn off the heat and let it steep for about 15 minutes.

Cooking the ginger, water and sugar in a small saucepan on the stove.

Step 3: From here, we move the ginger mixture to a blender and process until smooth (photo 3).

The ginger mixture after it's been processed until smooth in a blender.

Step 4: For our final step, we place a bowl in the sink and a fine-mesh sieve above it. Now we pour the blended ginger mixture in the sieve, and it will strain the syrup from the solids.

Straining the ginger syrup in the sink through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl.

How simple was that? In just four easy steps, we now have the best ginger simple syrup recipe that will instantly elevate every drink.

How to Use

While simple syrup is most often used to sweeten cocktails, you can use it in so many other ways. For instance, add it to sparkling water or club soda with some fresh mint leaves and lime or lemon juice for your own mocktails or add some flavor to your smoothies. Or you could use it to make your own homemade ginger ale or ginger beer.

It’s also wonderful in a latte or fancy coffee, or you could mix it with maple syrup to drizzle on waffles and pancakes. Simple syrup is also often brushed over a freshly baked cake to add moisture, and this would also add a delicious ginger flavor.

For some cocktails, you can use this syrup in my ginger mojito, sparkling cranberry-ginger margarita or jalapeno-cucumber margarita with fresh ginger. You can substitute plain simple syrup for this ginger-flavored syrup in different fruity cocktails. A few of my favorites that would work well with this substitution include:

Recipe FAQs

How do you store this simple syrup?

For proper and safe storage, keep the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You don’t want to leave homemade simple syrup in room temperature on your counter.

Can you freeze ginger root?

Absolutely. I love to buy ginger in bulk so that I always have it on hand. Simply peel the ginger with the side of a spoon as pictured above and then store the peeled ginger in a freezer-safe bag for up to six months. When you’re ready to use it, give it just a few minutes to soften in room temperature, and it will slice easily. Frozen ginger also grates like a dream if you need it for other recipes, like my pumpkin gingerbread or ginger-maple cookies.

How long does simple syrup last?

As long as you store the ginger simple syrup properly, it should keep in the refrigerator for two to three weeks. That’s another reason to love making your own simple syrup – you get a good shelf life without relying on preservatives.

A jar of ginger simple syrup with a gold bow around it on airy fabric.

Expert Tips

Keep it simple: Don’t feel like you need to get rid of every tiny bit of ginger peel. I like to get most of it off to increase the surface area that’s exposed to the syrup, but little bits here and there are fine. Plus, the syrup will come out much darker if you don’t peel your ginger. While this isn’t a big deal if you’re using it with dark rum or whiskey, it will muddy your presentation if you serve it with white rum, vodka or light-colored juice.

Give it time to chill: I recommend making this ginger simple syrup ahead of time to give it time to chill. Plus, it makes entertaining that much easier.

Add a citrus kick: Adding a teaspoon of fresh lemon or lime zest makes for a wonderful addition to give it a little zip for spring or summer drinks.

Makes a lovely host or hostess gift: I think we can all agree a homemade gift is always thoughtful, and anyone who loves making homemade cocktails, mocktails or coffees would love a jar of this ginger simple syrup. Simply pour it in a mason jar and add a pretty ribbon or tag.

Perfect Pairing

With that kick of fresh ginger in your refreshing beverage, you will love anything with a Jamaican jerk marinade. This marinade features a medley of warm spices, including fresh ginger, that perfectly complement your refresher. Fortunately, I have several delicious options for you.

For the most flavorful cocktail or drink, I hope you try this fresh ginger simple syrup. Your favorite beverages

Cheers!

Looking down on the ginger simple syrup on a wooden board with flowers.

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