Homemade Ginger Syrup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long will homemade ginger syrup last? ›

How Long Does Homemade Ginger Syrup Last? Once made, homemade ginger syrup can be refrigerated for up to two weeks or frozen for up to two months.

Ginger syrup is made by cooking ginger with water and sugar until you obtain a syrupy consistency (see recipe below). Meanwhile ginger beer is traditionally a fermented beverage created by mixing ginger syrup (once cooled) with a mother culture (ginger beer plant) and leaving this mixture to ferment for a few days.

Peel ginger with a knife or spoon. Grate peeled ginger with a ginger grinder. Transfer grated ginger to a small strainer. To extract the ginger juice, press with a spoon.

To increase flavor extraction (and this applies to ALL flavors, not just ginger): Simmer for a prolonged period (more time to extract flavor). Puree or finely mince the ginger, then strain it out with a fine chinois or cheesecloth.

It is rare to have side effects from ginger. In high doses it may cause mild heartburn, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth. You may be able to avoid some of the mild stomach side effects, such as belching, heartburn, or stomach upset, by taking ginger supplements in capsules or taking ginger with meals.

Look for mold, discoloration, and a slimy texture. The juice may also have a pungent, sour smell or no smell at all. If you notice any of these signs, it's best to discard the juice immediately. To extend the shelf life of ginger juice, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within a few days.

The easiest way to make it is to just add ground ginger or a few slices of fresh ginger root to water. But these aren't the most efficient ways to get ginger to release its natural compounds. Steeping ginger in hot water also helps make it more flavorful. You can serve it chilled if you prefer a cold drink.

Health benefits

Ginger water may help decrease some types of pain. In a study that involved 60 adults with migraine pain, researchers found using ginger as an add-on therapy was better than taking painkillers alone. People have long used ginger as a herbal treatment for nausea.

How much ginger should you take daily? Ginger is safe to eat daily, but experts recommend limiting yourself to 3 to 4 grams a day — stick to 1 gram daily if you're pregnant. Taking more than 6 grams of ginger a day has been proven to cause gastrointestinal issues such as reflux, heartburn and diarrhea.

Chopping the ginger into small pieces (or grating it) maximizes the potency of the tea. Boil for 7-12 minutes.

What brings out the Flavour of ginger? ›

Here are some flavors that complement ginger in confections: Cinnamon: Cinnamon enhances the spiciness of ginger and adds warmth and depth to confections. The combination of cinnamon and ginger is commonly found in cookies, cakes, and spiced candies.

Ginger pairs with nearly any type of fruit, especially in jams, pies, and fruit salads. Apples, oranges, figs, melon, pineapple, grapes, blueberries, bananas, apricots, and peaches work very well with this spice. Don't forget about pumpkin or sweet potato pies either.

Unflavored syrup can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month. However, flavored syrups (especially fruit-flavored) should be used within 2 weeks of when they're made. I usually keep mine in a mason jar but any airtight container with a good lid will work great.

Fresh Ginger Juice

Fresh, unpasteurized ginger juice lasts only 24 to 48 hours when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, due in part to its 5.9 pH; alkaline foods have short shelf lives. Pasteurized ginger juice keeps for two to three months but gradually loses its potency once opened.

This syrup will keep for up to one month in an airtight container in the fridge.

A traditional syrup has a 1-to-1 ratio and will last for about a month with basic refrigeration. However, if you make a rich syrup by increasing the sugar to water ratio to 2-to-1, you can increase this time frame significantly. It can be expected to last for about six months in the fridge.