Ginger ale is a popular carbonated soft drink flavored with ginger. It is often consumed on its own or used as a mixer for cocktails and mocktails. But what ingredients go into making this refreshing beverage? The two key components that make ginger ale are ginger and soda water.
Ginger
Ginger is the essential ingredient that gives ginger ale its distinct spicy taste. The ginger used in ginger ale can come in many forms:
- Fresh ginger root – This is ginger in its most natural form. Fresh ginger adds robust ginger flavor to ginger ale.
- Dried ginger – Dried and ground ginger powder can be used to make ginger ale. It provides concentrated ginger taste.
- Ginger juice – Ginger juice is extracted from fresh ginger root. It offers ginger flavor without the fiber.
- Ginger extract – Ginger oleoresin is a concentrated ginger extract. A small amount provides intense ginger zing.
The ginger used in commercial ginger ales is typically ginger extract or dried ginger. The ginger infusion gives the drink its quintessential gingery bite. Without ginger, it would just be a lemon-lime soda.
Soda Water
The second key component of ginger ale is soda water, also known as carbonated water. Soda water is water that has been carbonated by being infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. This gives it the bubbles and fizz that make ginger ale so refreshing. Soda water forms the base of the beverage that the ginger flavor is added to.
On its own, soda water is a bland, bubbly drink. But when flavored with ginger extract and other flavorings, it becomes the effervescent ginger ale we know and love. The carbonation also helps to accentuate the ginger flavor. Without the fizzy soda water, the drink would be flat and one-dimensional.
Additional Flavors
While ginger and soda water are the two core components, modern ginger ales also incorporate additional flavors for extra dimension:
- Lemon – Lemon juice adds a bright citrus note that complements the ginger.
- Lime – Lime juice provides tartness to balance the sweetness.
- Sugar – Plain or inverted sugar syrup sweetens the beverage.
- Natural flavors – Spices like cinnamon and cloves enhance the ginger flavor.
The specific blend of extra flavors distinguishes the tastes of various ginger ale brands. But the foundation always comes from ginger and soda water.
The Ginger Ale Making Process
Commercial ginger ale production follows a standardized process to combine the ginger, soda water, and other flavors:
- The ginger is prepared by juicing fresh ginger, making a ginger extract, or producing a ginger syrup.
- The lemon/lime juice and other flavors are mixed together as a flavored syrup concentrate.
- The sugar syrup is produced by dissolving plain sugar in water over heat.
- The ginger preparation, flavored syrup, and sugar syrup are blended together in the correct proportions.
- The mixture is diluted with carbonated soda water.
- The finished ginger ale is packaged and ready to drink!
High fructose corn syrup has become a popular alternative sweetener in modern ginger ales. Preservatives like sodium benzoate may also be added to increase shelf life. Many ginger ale brands also skip the juicing and syrup production steps by using artificial flavors and sweeteners.
To Make Ginger Ale at Home
It’s easy to whip up homemade ginger ale with just ginger, sugar, lemon, and soda water:
- Peel and roughly chop 1/2 cup fresh ginger. Juice it or blend into a ginger simple syrup.
- Make a lemon simple syrup with 1/2 cup lemon juice and 1/2 cup sugar.
- Combine ginger syrup, lemon syrup, and 4 cups soda water in a pitcher.
- Add ice and adjust sweetness/ginger intensity to taste.
- Garnish with lemon slices and enjoy!
You can also make a large batch of the ginger/lemon syrup concentrate and store it to mix with soda water later. The key is using very fresh, natural ingredients for the best flavor possible.
The Best Ginger Ales
There are many excellent ginger ale brands on the market. Here are some of the top options:
| Brand | Style | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fever Tree | Premium | Made with fresh ginger root, lemon, and sugar. Well-balanced natural flavors. |
| Bundaberg | Spicy | Very gingery taste. Brewed with real ginger extract. |
| Canada Dry | Classic | A mainstream favorite. Uses ginger extracts and citrus oils. |
| Hansen’s | Natural | Sweetened with cane sugar. Uses fresh squeezed lemon and lime juices. |
| Barritt’s | Iconic | Beloved Bermuda original ginger ale. Strong ginger bite. |
You really can’t go wrong with any of these excellent ginger ale brands! Their blends of ginger, soda water, and other natural flavors create a delicious and refreshing beverage option.
The Difference Between Ginger Ale and Ginger Beer
Ginger ale and ginger beer are often confused for each other. But despite their similar names and shared main ingredient (ginger), they are quite distinct drinks:
- Alcohol content – Ginger ale is non-alcoholic, while ginger beer often contains alcohol from fermentation.
- Carbonation – Ginger ale is forcefully carbonated like a soft drink. Ginger beer has natural carbonation from fermentation.
- Flavor – Ginger beer has a much stronger ginger flavor, sometimes mixed with yeasty undertones.
- Spiciness – The ginger flavor makes ginger beer very spicy compared to the milder ginger ale.
In short, ginger beer is more like an alcoholic ginger soda with a bold, spicy ginger kick. Ginger ale is a sweeter, lighter soda drink with a subtle ginger zing. But both provide that refreshing ginger flavor!
Health Benefits of Ginger Ale
Drinking ginger ale can provide some potential health benefits when consumed in moderation. Here are a few of the wellness perks of enjoying this zesty beverage:
- Ginger aids digestion – The bioactive compounds in ginger can help relieve nausea, stomach aches, bloating, and gas.
- Soothes sore throats – Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate sore throats.
- Rehydrates – As a non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverage, ginger ale provides hydration.
- Provides antioxidants – Ginger contains protective antioxidant compounds like gingerols and shogaols.
- Settles the stomach – The light bubbles and ginger settle mildly upset stomachs.
However, artificial and sugar-filled ginger ales should be limited to avoid health risks. Overall, enjoying ginger ale in moderation can be good for you!
Fun Facts About Ginger Ale
Here are some interesting fun facts about the history and background of ginger ale:
- Ginger ale originated in Ireland in the 1850s as a health tonic drink.
- Early ginger ale recipes contained just carbonated water, sugar, ginger, and lemon.
- Prohibition in the 1920s boosted ginger ale’s popularity as a non-alcoholic drink.
- Canada Dry’s slogan “The Champagne of Ginger Ales” came from comparisons to French champagne.
- Vernors ginger ale from Detroit is one of the oldest surviving ginger ale brands.
- The term “soft drink” originally referred to ginger ale and other fizzy drinks.
- Jamaican style ginger beers are thought to be the closest to the original versions.
- Ginger ale is credited as the first marketed and branded soft drink.
- The Moscow Mule cocktail famously combines vodka and ginger beer.
From its origins as a health tonic to its role in cocktails, ginger ale has developed into one of the most beloved soda pop drinks over the past century and beyond!
Conclusion
Ginger ale gets its classic taste from the combination of ginger flavoring and bubbly soda water, along with supplementary flavors like lemon and lime. While it shares similarities with ginger beer, ginger ale is less spicy and not fermented. Enjoying ginger ale in moderation can provide health benefits from compounds like gingerol and the hydration of a non-alcoholic beverage. Brands like Canada Dry, Barritt’s, and Fever Tree all put their own spin on this classic refresher. So next time you sip a ginger ale, you can appreciate the ginger and soda water that form the foundation of this zesty drink.
