Ginger Syrup

Ginger simple syrup is a golden opportunity to make the most of that knobby root hanging out in your fruit basket. Ginger syrup captures the spicy essence, bright flavor, and mellow aroma of this herb in the easiest manner possible- a quick stovetop simmer!

We’ll detail how to make ginger syrup, how to use ginger syrup in cocktails, and as a bonus, how to candy the leftover ginger bits and pieces.

This one makes the hot list. Let’s get started!

How To Make Ginger Syrup

Ginger simple syrup is easy to make using just plain ol’ sugar and water. The flavor that water, sugar, and fresh ginger create when they simmer together for a bit is amazing. This entire process takes no more than 15 minutes and leaves you with plenty of ginger syrup for all your cocktail and home chef extraordinaire needs.

Here’s all you’ll need:

• about 3 ‘finger-sized’ pieces of ginger (100 grams)
• 1 cup of white or cane sugar
• 1 cup of water

All you need to do is prepare the ginger to extract all the flavor, aroma, and goodness then simmer this in the sugar and water. You can slice or dice the ginger by hand with a knife or you can send it for a whirl in your food processor- the latter is our go-to method!

Additionally you can change the flavor of your ginger syrup by using a deeply flavored sugar like brown sugar, coconut sugar, or even honey. These will have much stronger, bolder flavors than a white or cane sugar.

Also, the syrup will settle a bit in the fridge so give it a shake or two before using to ensure all the syrup is mixed together.

To peel or not to peel the ginger…

Personal preference! This is completely up to you as we tested this recipe both ways and found a minimal difference between the two. The ginger syrup we didn’t peel was a bit darker in color and had some teeny tiny flecks of debris in it.

The flavor between the two was the same– we couldn’t tell the difference in a blind taste test.

Now, the ginger we used was fresh and wasn’t laced with dirt, as ginger grows underground sometimes it has a substantial amount of dirt on it. If the ginger you purchased is very dirty I’d recommend peeling it.

We did slice off the leathery end pieces and removed the ‘armpit’ sections or the deep V joint where a nodule is growing as these are hiding places for dirt and debris.

If you intend to peel the ginger, the easiest way is to cut off any irregular knobs and growths then scrape the papery skin with a spoon back and forth to remove the skin. This works much better than a vegetable peeler.

Ginger Simple Syrup Uses

When we think of any simple syrup, cocktails are first to come to mind as this is the most common way simple syrup is used. We’ll dive into a few ginger syrup cocktail recipes in just a bit… However, there are plenty of other ginger syrup uses just waiting to come to life in your kitchen! Let’s dish.

How we use ginger syrup:

• To make ginger tea – add 1-2 tablespoons to a mug of hot water, maybe with a slice of lemon
• Use on pancakes and waffles instead of maple syrup
• Add to lemonade or soda water for a flavor boost
• Add to stir-fry, ramen, or curry dishes
• Add to iced coffee and smoothies
• Use to make flavored icing and frosting
• Add to rice or quinoa while cooking
• Use to flavor homemade kombucha
• Use as a glaze or marinade for protein

We’re big fans of flavored simple syrups and creating new ways to use them around the house to add big flavor to our meals. If you think of any other ways, please let us know and we’ll update this post!

Ginger Syrup Cocktails

Ok the fun part! On to how to make cocktails with ginger syrup and a couple of our favorites! The following cocktails are classics with simple variations to include ginger syrup in place of other syrups or sweeteners while also adding to the overall profile of the drink with ginger flavor!

Our cocktail forecast is warm, spicy, and loaded with fresh ginger flavor!

#1 MOSCOW MULE:

If you find yourself out of ginger beer but have a craving for a moscow mule, you can use ginger syrup and soda water! Here’s the drill:

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce ginger syrup
• 4 ounces soda water
• Squeeze of fresh lime

Play around with the levels a bit to find your preference. If you like more ginger heat, add more ginger syrup! Or try it with a Mexican mule!

#2 LEMON DROP:

It’s got a lovely ginger aroma and zippy lemon flavor. I’m not huge on flavored martinis, but this one tops the list! My husband gets the glory for this wonderful creation. We were brainstorming flavors and cocktails that would benefit from ginger simple syrup. This one does indeed!

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce ginger simple syrup
• 1.5 ounces fresh lemon juice

Add to a shaker with ice and shake this jewel up! Pour through a strainer and serve in a sugar rimmed glass.

#3 WHISKEY SMASH:

The whiskey smash is similar to a mint julep, but with added citrus. Quite frankly, the only way we make ours is with ginger simple syrup! Because nothing goes better with whiskey than ginger!

• 2 ounces whiskey
• 5-7 mint leaves
• .5 ounce ginger simple syrup
• 1/4 lemon

Muddle the mint, lemon, and syrup together. Pour into an old fashioned glass and add whiskey, top with ice and garnish with fresh mint! Cheers

#4 BOURBON SOUR:

Hello bourbon our old friend, we’ve found a new way to sip you again! We love us a good whiskey sour; adding lemon and ginger to it gives a really unique taste– here’s how to take it for a spin!

• 2 ounces bourbon
• 1 ounce ginger simple syrup
• 1 ounce fresh lemon juice

Shake this puppy up and strain over rocks in an old fashioned glass. Garnish with an orange slice, peel, or candied orange wheel!

#5 GIN BUCK:

Hello, you world-famous 3 ingredient cocktail, you! This is a gin and ginger ale cocktail that you can easily add ginger simple syrup to. Ginger ale is sweet but doesn’t have much ginger heat… adding simple syrup will change that right up!

• 2 ounces gin
• 4 ounces ginger ale
• 1 ounce ginger simple syrup

Serve on the rocks. Alternatively, if you don’t have ginger ale you can use ginger simple syrup and soda water to recreate this refreshing cocktail!

#6 ROSE SANGRIA:

Three cheers for sangria season! This rose sangria recipe is a fun and funky twist on the stagnant classic, showing off the flavors of gin and sangria. Swap the gin for whiskey or light rum.

• 1 bottle chilled rose
• 1/3 cup gin (or sub bourbon or light rum)
• 1/4 cup ginger simple syrup
• 1 cup strawberries, quartered
• 1 sumo mandarin, segmented; or 3-4 cuties
• 1 cup raspberries

Add everything to a serving pitcher and place it in the refrigerator to chill for 3-4 hours. Serve in a wine glass with mint or candied orange slices as a garnish! Salud to summer! Watch out– this stuff is dangerously good!

BONUS: Make Candied Ginger

What about all the ginger pieces you strained out of the syrup? Friends, these don’t need to go to waste– this ginger can live a second life as homemade candied ginger! YES!

Candied ginger is incredibly easy to make; if you’ve made this ginger syrup you are halfway there. As you have already strained the ginger syrup, you’d simply need to simmer the ginger again in sugar water then strain and toss with sugar to coat.

Candied ginger is a killer cocktail garnish and tastes divine mixed into treats as it pairs fabulously with chocolate, vanilla, nuts, and fruits. If you make this ginger syrup as listed, you’ll get about 1.5 cups of candied ginger pieces.

To turn those leftover ginger bits into delicious candied ginger:

1. Add the strained ginger back into a pot with 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar.
2. Heat over medium-low heat until simmering, which won’t take long, then reduce heat and gently simmer for 10 minutes. Ensure this is a low simmer and not a full boil.
3. Strain the ginger through a fine sieve, using a spoon to press the ginger against the sieve to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
4. Add to a bowl with 1/3 cup sugar and toss to coat all pieces in sugar crystals.
5. Spread into a thin layer on a large plate or baking sheet and leave out until fully dry ~usually 18-24 hours. Then toss with more sugar if needed and store in an airtight container!

We’ve made ginger syrup on many occasions, but only as we were testing this recipe did I take the plunge and candy the ginger. HELLOOO who am I? ‘Candying’ something sounds complicated, like you’ll need thermometers, special spatulas, and maybe protective eye gear. Not at all.

Guys/Girls. Candied ginger is EASY and it is incredibly flavorful! As it was drying on the counter my hubs and I were walking by and nibbling on it all day.

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