I often keep fresh ginger around in case of upset stomachs (it can be a lifesaver during early pregnancy!). Ginger root also adds a tasty flavor to drinks, gingerbread, and even iced tea. On its own it can be a little spicy, but ginger syrup is a flavorful way to add a little sweetness to beverages and dishes.
This warming herb has tons of health benefits and boosts circulation and immunity. It’s perfect (and tasty!) for cooler weather.
Ginger Simple Syrup
The traditional recipe for ginger syrup uses fresh ginger root and a sweetener, like brown sugar or organic cane sugar. Similar to elderberry syrup, the spicy ginger is simmered in liquid, then strained and bottled. You can still get the ginger flavor without highly refined sugar though.
This version of ginger syrup simmers the ginger in water and then mixes the strained infusion with raw honey. Not only do you get the health benefits of ginger, but raw honey offers anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits too.
The Benefits of Ginger
If I don’t have fresh ginger in my refrigerator, you’ll be sure to find dried ginger in my pantry! I found it really helpful for first trimester pregnancy nausea and the kids like it for upset tummies. Here are some more of ginger’s health benefits:
- Helps soothe muscle aches and pains, including menstrual cramps. Rub ginger infused oil over sore muscles, or add some dried or fresh to a hot bath.
- Reduces nausea, indigestion, and vomiting. Sip it as a tea or use ginger tincture.
- Calms a cough and helps with sore throats.
- Stimulates circulation. This helps speed cold and flu recovery, soothe achy muscles, and warms the body on chilly days.
- It’s an antioxidant to help fight cancer causing free radicals.
- Some research suggests ginger can help with a healthy blood sugar balance.
- A 2019 meta-analysis found ginger significantly decreased body weight, improved fasting glucose and insulin resistance, and improved cholesterol balance.
While a cup of ginger tea is a nice way to finish the evening, ginger syrup is even more versatile!
How To Use Ginger Syrup
Ginger simple syrup is most frequently used in cocktail recipes like the old-fashioned Moscow mule or the more recent Penicillin. While it may be a staple for bartenders, you can make plenty of healthy mocktails with it too.
I use a ginger bug to make homemade ginger ale (also known as ginger beer). While the process is pretty simple, it does require some hands-on time and time to ferment. Simply pouring some homemade ginger syrup into sparkling water or club soda is an even faster way to make your own ginger ale variation. Here are some more ways to use ginger syrup:
- Pour some into hot tea and add a squeeze of fresh lemon to soothe a sore throat.
- Take a small spoonful as needed for nausea, muscle aches, etc.
- Add a little to homemade cranberry sauce.
- Use it in coffee with some raw cream or coconut milk for a healthy latte.
- Combine with lime juice and sparkling water for a healthy soda water.
- Use to sweeten smoothies, like this creamy pumpkin smoothie.
- Make a vinaigrette with ginger syrup and apple cider vinegar for salads.
Flavoring Ginger Simple Syrup
My homemade cough syrup combines an herbal infusion of ginger and other herbs with lemon juice and honey. This recipe is similar but cuts out the other herbs. There are plenty of ways to customize it to your liking though with different flavors.
Add a little vanilla for a ginger vanilla syrup that’s great on ice cream. Or simmer some lemon and lime zest with the ginger for a citrus flavor. You can even add other warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, or cloves for an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial powerhouse. Rosemary, orange zest, and lemongrass are also good options in a ginger syrup recipe.
How to Make Ginger Syrup
If you can make tea then you can make ginger syrup. Start by roughly chopping organic ginger root. If the pieces are too large they won’t infuse as well, but if they’re tiny then they’re harder to strain out. Once the water is infused with ginger, simply strain out the solids and stir in the raw honey. Now your syrup is ready to use!
Ginger Syrup Recipe
This easy simple syrup tastes great in mixed drinks or stirred into tea. Get all of the health benefits of ginger in an easy to use syrup!
- ⅓ cup fresh ginger root (roughly chopped)
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup raw honey
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Add the ginger and water to a small saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil.
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Reduce the heat to simmer and let it simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. You want the liquid to reduce to 1 cup so put the saucepan lid partially on to allow some steam to escape.
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Strain out the ginger pieces and pour the ginger infusion into a heat safe glass jar. A Mason jar works well for this. If you have more than 1 cup simmer it down some more. If there’s less than 1 cup then add more water to make 1 cup.
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Stir in the raw honey.
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Store the ginger syrup in the fridge. This will last for about 2 weeks or it can be frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
Ginger Syrup Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 Tablespoon)
Calories 33
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.01g0%
Saturated Fat 0.002g0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.002g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.002g
Sodium 1mg0%
Potassium 10mg0%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Fiber 0.04g0%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 0.1g0%
Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
Calcium 1mg0%
Iron 0.1mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This syrup is very thin. If you want a thicker syrup you can simmer the honey with the ginger, but then it won’t be raw.
How to Store Ginger Syrup
This will keep for several weeks in the fridge. While honey has a long shelf life (it was even found in Egyptian tombs!), herbal tea does not. If you want to store some for later, you can freeze it in ice cube trays and use as needed.
Have you ever made a simple syrup before? How will you use your ginger syrup? Leave a comment and let us know!