Ginger Syrup
A sweet syrup infused with fresh ginger, used to add spicy warmth without needing to muddle fresh ginger.
Origin
A bartender's infused simple syrup, made by steeping or cooking fresh ginger with sugar and water, following the same basic technique as other flavored bar syrups.
History
Ginger syrup follows the same general lineage as other infused bar syrups, a straightforward way to add a concentrated, consistent flavor to a cold drink that fresh muddled ginger alone can't always deliver evenly. It became especially popular during the craft cocktail revival's renewed interest in fresh, made-in-house ingredients, giving bartenders precise control over ginger's heat level without relying on a specific commercial ginger beer or ale.
Flavor profile
Concentrated, spicy ginger flavor in a pourable, sweetened liquid form.
Tasting notes
A more intense, purer ginger heat than ginger ale or ginger beer, since it's just ginger and sugar rather than a diluted, carbonated soda, giving bartenders precise control over how much spice a drink gets.
Substitutes
- Ginger beer, for a similar flavor with added carbonation and less concentrated sweetness.
- Grated fresh ginger muddled with simple syrup, as a quick homemade substitute.
- Candied ginger syrup (the liquid from a jar of crystallized ginger), as a convenient store-bought alternative.
Common cocktails