Ginger Simple Syrup

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This Ginger Simple Syrup is a must-have for your kitchen cupboard. Much more than ‘just sugar water’, it is perfect for sweetening cocktails and mocktails, as well as lemonades and teas; the latter being our favorite way to use ginger syrup!

I have been making batches of unsweetened tea recently for when I want something flavored to drink. This ginger syrup is a great way to add that little extra sweetness (my girls love it!)

What is simple syrup?

I think simple syrup is an overlooked ingredient at the moment, despite being a standard stock item for any bar or kitchen.

First of all, yes, it is sugar and water, but the syrup provides a huge advantage as a beverage sweetener because it allows you to do more with less. You don’t have to add as much simple syrup as you would sugar to say, cold lemon water to make lemonade, because the sugar is already dissolved and you won’t have that natural separation that happens where the top of your lemonade is bitter and the bottom is super sweet.

How do you make ginger simple syrup?

The basic recipe for simple syrup is 1 cup filtered water to 1 cup sugar. That’s basic simple syrup, but that makes it very thin.

A better option is to make what’s known as “rich simple syrup”, using 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water.

When making the syrup it’s easy to add all sorts of flavors depending on how you plan to use it. I made a mint simple syrup for lemonade last year, but I’ve really been into ginger recently and decided to make a version with fresh ginger.

The key is to keep the syrup on a low heat whilst stirring constantly until all of the sugar is dissolved. Don’t let the pan simmer, you just want the sugar dissolved. You do however need to allow time for the ginger to infuse through both the cooking and cooling process.

How long can you store simple syrup in the refrigerator?

The typical shelf life for a standard simple syrup (one cup sugar + one cup water) in the refrigerator, is around 1 month. This does depend on how air-tight your container is. It is thereforea a good idea to use something with a strong seal.

However, the amount of sugar increases the shelf life. So if you opt for the “rich” ginger simple syrup then it could last in the refrigerator for as long as 6 months.

How do you know if simple syrup has gone bad?

Don’t use it if there’s anything that looks “off” in the bottle. Avoid dipping utensils into the jar (or anything that could cause cross-contamination). Always pour where you can to keep using for as long as possible. Once the syrup starts to crystallize that’s probably a sign to toss too.

Where can I use ginger simple syrup?

Simple syrup is common in cocktails, mocktails (this Blueberry Mint Cocktail is so good), and dessert recipes. I’ve been using it recently for sweetening iced tea for the kids, and in the summer, I’ll use it to make quick lemonade. If I were baking a cake that paired well with ginger, I might also use this syrup to brush my cake layers for extra moisture and flavor.

I hope you enjoy this delicious ginger simple syrup in your drinks!