This ginger syrup recipe came about by accident. I wasn’t really intending to make ginger syrup, but I was working on a recipe for my forthcoming book which required me to cook fresh slices of ginger. After straining the cooked ginger slices, I was left with a very strong ginger juice. I didn’t want to throw it away — you’ve met me, right?? — so I decided to try my hand at making ginger syrup.
I say that as if it was difficult. It wasn’t.
With just two ingredients, this ginger simple syrup is a snap to make. Plus, it’s a two-fer. Use the cooked ginger in other recipes (try this candied ginger recipe) and then use the cooking liquid in this ginger syrup recipe. One recipe, twice the fun.
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How to make ginger syrup
The basis of this ginger syrup recipe is a ginger-flavored water and sugar. That’s it. To make the ginger water, you’ll slice and cook fresh ginger root. This imparts an amazingly strong ginger flavor to the water.
I strained the ginger water into a quart-sized canning jar before transferring it to the saucepan for cooking. You can strain it into a bowl or any container that’s large enough to hold a quart of liquid.
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That flavorful water combined with sugar makes this gingery sweet syrup. You can vary the amount of sugar to make a medium or heavy syrup. Since the flavor of the ginger is so strong, I don’t recommend it as a light syrup. You really do need that extra sweetness to counter the spice of the ginger.
This sweet ginger syrup recipe keeps for a month or so in the refrigerator.
Give it as a gift
Packaged up in a pretty recycled jar (or a decorated jar like this), this syrup makes a lovely hostess gift. Simply tie on a cute label and include some ideas for how to use it. Or package a bottle of this syrup with a couple of cocktail glasses or mugs (love these) along with ingredients to make a ginger-spiced beverage.
How to use homemade ginger syrup
- Use it as a sweetener in your hot or iced tea.
- Mix 2 tablespoons syrup into a cup of cold sparkling water for a homemade ginger ale.
- Stir some into your morning bowl of oatmeal.
- Mix a spoonful into this recipe for a ginger hot fudge sauce.
- Use this ginger syrup recipe in salad dressing like this one.
- Stir some of this ginger syrup into a mug of hot cocoa and warm up by the fire.
- Drizzle some over pancakes or waffles.
- Stir some into homemade applesauce for an extra zing of flavor.
- Use it in homemade cranberry sauce, in lieu of fresh ginger. Or in addition to it!
- Add a splash (or three) to your homemade granola before you bake it.
- Stir a couple of tablespoons full into your favorite muffin recipe. Try it in these apple cinnamon muffins.
- Make a ginger martini. Or use it in other cocktail hour beverages.
- Stir some into a marinade. It would be great in teriyaki sauce.
- Add a spoonful to a mixed fresh fruit salad.
- Drizzle some over this peach pie.
- Stir it into homemade yogurt.
- Add it to a glass of lilikoi juice.
- Stir some into this strawberry compote.
★ Did you make this ginger syrup recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below! ★
Ginger Simple Syrup
This easy recipe makes a flavorful addition to sweets, beverages, and marinades.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ginger, fresh
- 1 quart water
- 3-4 cups sugar, organic
Instructions
- Peel and slice ginger thinly.
- Bring ginger to a boil in one quart of water. Cook until just tender.
- Strain, reserving cooked ginger for making ginger candy.
- Measure sugar into a saucepan. Use 3 cups for a medium ginger syrup, 4 cups for a heavy ginger syrup.
- Stir in ginger flavored water. Bring to a boil.
- Remove ginger simple syrup from heat. Allow to cool and transfer to jars or bottles.
Notes
The easiest way to peel ginger is to use the edge of a spoon to scrape it away. This results in less waste than trying to use a paring knife.
Store this simple syrup in refrigerator for a month or so.
Makes 4-5 cups of ginger syrup.
Give it as a gift
Packaged up in a pretty recycled jar, this syrup makes a lovely hostess gift. Simply tie on a cute label and include some ideas for how to use it. Or package a bottle of this syrup with a couple of cocktail glasses or mugs along with ingredients to make a ginger-spiced beverage.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 80 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 31Unsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 8gSugar: 7g
OMG, it’s so good. I live in Panama and it’s always hot. Nothing more refreshing than some of this siru, ice cubes and sparkling water! Thank you for the great recipe!
Awesome!
I wonder if you could can it to make it more shelf stable?
Do you have a “ginger spiced beverage” to use? Lilikoi are not available in Oregon.
It’s great for Moscow or Irish mule. Great with a cup of hot water, apple cider vinegar,fresh lemon juice and two teaspoons of ginger syrup. Good for what’s ailing you!
Ooh, yum!