Go Back

Healthy Ginger Ale

Food For Life Garden
This is a nicely refreshing and very quick to make summer drink. Ginger ale can be very healthy if you make your own and it is so much better tasting than the sugary soft drink from the grocery store. You're not left with the craving for more sugar, plus you get the health benefits of real ginger each time you drink a glass!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 6 minutes
Course Drinks
Servings 1 pint

Equipment

  • 1 pint size glass - or a larger gallon size container if you're making it for a crowd.
  • 1 grater for the ginger if you make the quick version.
  • 1 cutting board and a knife if you make the simmered version.
  • 1 strainer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 small piece of fresh ginger root - or bottled ginger juice to taste
  • 1 half lemon - juiced - or 2 teaspoons bottled lemon juice
  • 10 oz carbonated water
  • some ice cubes - optional
  • sugar or other sweetener - optional - try without sugar first, you may not want it sweet.

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the ginger root
    Quick version: If you are making the super quick version of this ginger ale, grate the ginger root and mix it with a small amount of water. Strain through a piece of muslin or a strainer into a drinking glass, pint mason jar or a large container if you make a lot. Squeeze out all the juice. If you don't mind the little pieces, you can also just add the peeled and grated ginger straight into the cup and drink it with the little bits floating in it.
    Simmered version: thinly slice or dice the ginger root. Use about an inch of the root per cup of water. If you're making a gallon of ginger ale, you'll want to start with 4 cups of water here. For just one quart, you'll need one cup of water.
    If you use some type of sugar, add that at this time too. Bring to a boil and simmer covered on low for 5 - 45 minutes depending on how strong you want it and how much time you have. Simmering increases the benefits of the ginger root!
    Cool to room temperature. If you're using honey for a sweetener, this is a good time to add it. You can now strain the ginger water and refrigerate it or use it right away. When ready to use, add a half cup to a your pint size drinking cup or a pint jar. If you make a gallon, pour 4 cups of it into the container.
  • Add Lemon Juice:
    Squeeze half a lemon or half a lime per pint of ginger ale and add the juice to your jar. For a gallon, use 4 lemons or limes.
  • Add Sweetener:
    Add sugar or other sweetener to taste if you haven't added it to the ginger water earlier.
  • Add Ice Cubes:
    If you like it icy cold, add some ice cubes, or place your jars into an ice filled cooler to keep it chilled without diluting.
  • Fill With Carbonated Water:
    Just before serving, fill your container with carbonated water and enjoy. Place a slice of lemon on the edge of your cup for a nice presentation.

Notes

Tips:
Use ginger juice to make an even quicker ginger ale or if you can't find any fresh ginger root.
Use bottled lemon juice or lime juice if you can't get fresh lemons or limes. But check the ingredients. A lot of bottled lemon juices contain additives. 
Try plain water in place of the carbonated water for a non-fizzy ginger ale.