Ginger Ale at Home: Make Real Ginger Fizz with a Soda Maker

Name: Homemade Ginger Ale
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8-10 glasses
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 100g fresh ginger root; 1 cup water; 0.5 cup sugar; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 250ml cold sparkling water per glass; Ice cubes

April 23, 2026

Last Updated: July 2, 2026

Making ginger ale at home gives you something store-bought brands cannot - real ginger. Big commercial ginger ales carry only a trace of ginger extract. Most of the can is sugar and carbonated water. Homemade ginger ale uses fresh ginger root and costs about Rs 10 per glass. All you need is ginger syrup and a soda maker for home use. Here is the full method.

Why Store-Bought Ginger Ale Is Not Really "Ginger"

Most commercial ginger ale has little to no real ginger in it.

Canada Dry was even sued over this. In 2019, buyers took the brand to court over its "Made From Real Ginger" label. The drink does contain a small ginger flavour extract. But the plaintiffs argued there was too little to even taste. To settle in the US, the company dropped the claim. It also paid buyers between $5.20 and $40 each. A separate Canadian settlement cost another $200,000 (source below).

The sugar is the bigger problem. USDA data puts a 330ml can of regular ginger ale at about 29 grams of sugar and 112 calories. That is close to a can of Coke. If you drink ginger ale for health benefits, the store version gives you almost none.

Homemade ginger ale uses real ginger root. You control the sugar. You get actual ginger benefits.

How to Make Ginger Syrup (The Base)

The secret to great ginger ale is a strong ginger syrup. Make it once, use it all week.

What You Need

100g fresh ginger root (about 4-inch piece), peeled and sliced thin
1 cup water
Half cup sugar (or jaggery for a deeper flavour)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Pinch of salt

How to Make It

Add sliced ginger and water to a small pot.
Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add sugar and stir until it dissolves fully.
Simmer for 5 more minutes. The liquid should reduce to about half.
Turn off heat. Add lemon juice and salt.
Let it cool. Strain out the ginger pieces.
Pour the syrup into a clean glass bottle. Store in the fridge.

This makes about 150ml of ginger syrup - enough for 8-10 glasses of ginger ale. It stays fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

How to Make Ginger Ale with a Soda Maker

Two tablespoons of syrup plus sparkling water. That is the whole recipe.

What You Need (1 Glass)

2 tablespoons ginger syrup
250ml cold sparkling water (from your soda maker)
Ice cubes
Lemon slice for garnish

Steps

Put 2 tablespoons of ginger syrup in a tall glass.
Add 4-5 ice cubes.
Pour cold sparkling water slowly down the side of the glass.
Give one gentle stir.
Garnish with a lemon slice. Serve right away.

The colour should be a warm golden yellow from the ginger. The taste hits you with real ginger heat, followed by the fizz, then a gentle sweetness. Nothing like the flat, syrupy taste of canned ginger ale.

Ginger Ale Variations

Four ways to twist the basic recipe for different tastes.

Honey Ginger Ale

Replace sugar with honey in the syrup recipe. Honey adds a floral sweetness that pairs well with ginger. Best served slightly warm in winter.

Lemon Ginger Ale

Add extra lemon juice - 1 tablespoon per glass on top of the syrup. The extra citrus makes it more refreshing for summer.

Spicy Ginger Ale

Add a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red chilli flakes to the syrup while simmering. This gives a real burn that ginger lovers will enjoy. Not for the faint-hearted.

Turmeric Ginger Ale

Add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder to the syrup. You get an anti-inflammatory golden drink with a beautiful colour. Popular in wellness circles.

Health Benefits of Real Ginger Ale

Real ginger has proven health benefits. Fake ginger ale from the store has none.

Nausea relief - a review of 12 trials looked at 1,278 pregnant women. Ginger eased their nausea better than a placebo. Small daily doses worked best.
After surgery and travel - in two trials, 1 gram of ginger worked as well as a common anti-nausea pill.
Digestion - ginger helps food move through your stomach faster and reduces bloating
Throat relief - warm ginger drinks can soothe a sore throat

The US NIH notes ginger is safe for most people in food amounts. But you only get these benefits from real ginger. Want ginger without the fizz? See our guide to ginger water benefits.

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnant? Have a health condition? Ask your doctor before using ginger to treat symptoms.

Cost Comparison: Homemade vs Store-Bought

Homemade costs Rs 10 per glass. Store-bought costs Rs 30-50.

Option	Cost per Glass	Real Ginger?	Sugar
Homemade ginger ale	Rs 8-12	Yes (100%)	You control
Canada Dry (can)	Rs 30-50	Trace extract only	~29g per can (USDA avg)
Schweppes ginger ale	Rs 25-40	Minimal	~29g per can (USDA avg)

Making your own also means you can reduce sugar. Use 2 tablespoons of jaggery instead of half a cup of sugar. Or skip sweetener entirely and let the ginger heat speak for itself.

Tips for the Best Homemade Ginger Ale

Small details that make a big difference.

Use young ginger - it has a milder, less fibrous taste. Old ginger is more pungent.
Slice thin - thinner slices release more flavour during simmering.
Cold water matters - always carbonate with fridge-cold water for stronger fizz.
Adjust syrup to taste - start with 2 tablespoons per glass. Add more for stronger ginger flavour.
Strain well - use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Ginger bits in the drink can be unpleasant.

In a hurry? Try our no-syrup ginger ale method instead. For more fizzy drink recipes, check our 10 flavoured sparkling water recipes and masala soda recipe.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ginger powder instead of fresh ginger?

Fresh ginger tastes much better. But in a pinch, use 1 teaspoon of ginger powder per cup of water. The flavour will be less vibrant.

Is homemade ginger ale good for upset stomach?

Yes. Real ginger is proven to help with nausea and mild stomach issues. The carbonation may also help with bloating. But see a doctor for serious stomach problems.

How long does ginger syrup last?

Up to 2 weeks in the fridge in a sealed glass bottle. If it smells off or turns cloudy, discard it and make a fresh batch.

Can I make ginger ale without sugar?

Yes. The ginger flavour is strong enough on its own. Skip the sugar entirely for a spicy, sharp ginger ale. Add a tiny bit of stevia if you want sweetness without calories.

Is ginger ale the same as ginger beer?

No. Ginger beer is fermented and has a stronger, more complex flavour. Ginger ale is lighter and not fermented. Both use real ginger, but ginger beer takes days to make. Ginger ale takes 20 minutes.