The Recipe · No.910 · Homemade Ginger Beer

Homemade Ginger Beer, and where to source it

Simmer a real ginger syrup first, then carbonate with soda water to serve. This skips the days-long ferment entirely — the syrup keeps a week, so you get sharp, spicy ginger beer to order instead of a science project.

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Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep10 min
Cook15 min
Makesabout 1 quart
CuisineAmerican
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge Level Easy
A light hand — your arteries say thanks.
Cook it with
No-cook
Suits
VeganGluten-free
Straight Answers
Can you make Homemade Ginger Beer ahead of time? — Partly

You can batch the mix and keep it cold, but add the ice, soda, and garnish and shake or stir to order — a made-up drink goes flat and watery if it sits.

Is Homemade Ginger Beer gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Homemade Ginger Beer vegan? — Yes

Yes — no meat, seafood, dairy, egg, or honey in it as written.

Part One
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 1 quart
Our ratio, your call. The amounts below are a tested starting point — a version, not the one and only. Anything tagged to taste is the knob you turn: start there, then make it yours.
Fresh ginger
A big knob, grated or thinly sliced — the more you use, the more it bites. To taste.
1 cup gratedto taste
Source it →
Sugar
For the syrup base. Recommended to start, to taste.
1 cupto taste
Local / market
Lime juice
Fresh, for brightness and balance. To taste.
1/4 cupto taste
Local / market
Soda water
To carbonate to serve — mix roughly 1 part syrup to 3 parts soda, to taste.
to fillto taste
Local / market
One list, with a link to where to buy each one.
Part Two
The Method
  1. SimmerSimmer the ginger with the sugar and 1 cup water for 10–15 minutes until fragrant and syrupy.
  2. StrainStrain out the ginger, stir in the lime juice, and cool. The syrup keeps a week in the fridge.
  3. ServePour ginger syrup over ice and top with soda water to taste — add more syrup for a stronger bite.
Part Three
The Toolkit

Saucepan · Fine strainer

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