Elevate your Drinks with this Ginger Simple Syrup

Making flavored simple syrups is such an amazing way to enhance your favorite drinks. Used cocktails, seltzers, teas, lemonades and everything in between, with only three ingredients, this ginger simple syrup could not be easier to make. Simple in the name could not be more accurate!

You can buy simple syrup bottled in stores, but why not make it yourself? You probably have everything you need to make it right now in your kitchen. Simple syrup is taken to a new level by infusing with fresh ginger, which adds a wonderful essence. Sweet and slightly spicy, this is my go to syrup for all my favorite beverages.

Ginger is one of the healthiest spices and is loved all around the world. It has a way of jazzing up so many recipes. It’s also used to ease upset stomachs, for cold and flu, and it has anti-inflammatory properties, just to name a few. This magical root can do wonderful things for your body.

What is Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is a ratio of half granulated sugar and half water. It is heated until all of the sugar granules have dissolved, it is slightly thickened and you are left with a syrup. You can infuse simple syrups with pretty much any flavor you desire such as herbs, spices, flowers, fruits and citruses. This is such a fun way to add flavors to your favorite beverages.

Ginger Simple Syrup

Prep time: 5 minutes

Active time: 20 minutes

Inactive time: 60 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 25 min

Yield: 1 1/2 cups

1 cup water

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup fresh ginger root - sliced

1. In a small saucepan, add water and sugar. Heat over medium heat, stir until sugar has dissolved.

2. Add the ginger, and bring the syrup up to a light boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.

3. Take syrup off the heat and allow to steep in the covered pot for about 1 hour. (This will also allow it to cool before bottling.)

4. Strain out the sliced ginger and pour into a bottle, mason jar, or any container with a tight lid.

5. Store in the refrigerator.

How Long is Simple Syrup Good For?

Kept in a covered container (bottle, or mason jar for example) this ginger simple syrup should keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. You can also freeze this in an ice cube tray and have flavored ice cubes to put into your drinks.

Other Sugars

Simple syrup doesn't have to be made with only granulated sugar. Raw sugar, honey, and brown sugar are also great options. Just be aware that there will be a color and flavor difference when using those types of sugars. You would still use a 1:1 water, sugar ratio. If you would like this to be less sweet or more sweet, adjust the ratio of sugar to water.

To make it easier to strain, I like to keep the ginger in bigger pieces. Grated ginger will work but be a little harder to strain out with all the tiny pieces.

If you are interested in learning about other ways to make simple syrups for your cocktails, check out our upcoming Cocktail Happy Hour with Christophe Bakunas on Friday, April 19 at 5pm at Lincoln Square. There are just two spots left! 

If someone beats you to those two spots, we have another Cocktail Happy Hour coming up on Friday, May 3 at 5pm. Reserve your spot now!