Ginger Beer Concentrate
Mix this non-alcoholic homemade ginger beer concentrate with club soda for homemade ginger beer. Ginger beer cocktails suggestions included.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 29, 2024
First of all, this ginger beer doesn’t have beer in it. My homemade ginger juice and soda version is non-alcoholic… unless you add liquor, of course.
I’ve been totally obsessed with ginger lately. On its own, ginger is fiercely spicy and fragrant. Used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine since forever, it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory that can calm nausea and soothe upset stomachs (source: The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia). There’s not much it can’t do.
Just a hint of fresh ginger lends peppery spice and complexity to savory dishes, and powdered or fresh ginger brightens up baked goods. Ginger has been a predominant flavor in my recipes lately, making its way into ice cream, soup, granola, and pancakes. Ginger beer features the flavor most prominently, which I love. One sip warms me up from the inside.
Ginger beer has traditionally been brewed with a live culture, which creates carbonation as it ferments. These days, most ginger beers available in stores are non-alcoholic. Ginger beer is like ginger ale, but with a lot more kick. It tends to be more cloudy and less sweet than ginger ale, and the ginger flavor is unapologetically in your face. Most recipes for ginger beer and ginger ale have you cook the ginger in sugar water to mellow the flavor, but this recipe uses raw, pungent ginger. Beware: my ginger beer concentrate is for serious ginger lovers only.
To make this ginger beer, you’ll just need a blender or food processor and a good fine mesh strainer. My rusted hand-me-down strainer let too much ginger pulp through, so an upgrade is in order. You’ll also need a big spoon, lots of raw ginger, lime and club soda (because you won’t want to drink the undiluted concentrate).
Ginger beer is delicious on its own, but it also happens to make the best cocktails EVER. Mix ginger beer with a healthy splash of any basic liquor, squeeze in some lime, and you have yourself a simple and refreshing highball. You could buy ginger beer at the store, but most (like Reed’s) are too sweet for my taste.
Here’s a basic list of ginger beer cocktails (let me know if you have any to add):
- Dark ‘n Stormy: ginger beer + Gosling’s spiced rum + lime
- Moscow Mule: ginger beer + vodka + lime
- Gin-Gin Mule: ginger beer + gin + lime
- Pimm’s Cup: ginger beer + Pimm’s No. 1 (add gin for more kick) + lime
- Horsefeather: ginger beer + whiskey/bourbon
Ginger Beer Concentrate
Mix this fiery ginger beer concentrate with club soda to make homemade ginger beer. Adjust the amounts of sweetener, club soda and lime to suit your tastes. Preserve leftover concentrate by freezing it in ice cube trays.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds fresh ginger, roughly peeled and chopped into 1-inch chunks
- 2 cups filtered water, divided
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from 4 to 5 limes), plus more as garnish
- 1 ¼ to 1 ½ cups of agave nectar, honey or pure cane sugar (to taste, see note)
- club soda
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, liquefy the ginger and 1 cup of water for 3 minutes. Strain the juice into a large bowl or pitcher. Transfer the ginger pulp back to to the blender or food processor, add another ½ cup of water, and liquefy again. Strain again, adding the liquid to the first batch. Again transfer the pulp along with another ½ cup water, liquefy again, and add to the liquid. Press on the solids with the back of a big spoon to squeeze out as much of the juice as you can.
- Discard the mashed solids and rinse out your blender/food processor. Pour the liquid into the blender/food processor. Pour in the lime juice and 1 ¼ cups sweetener. Blend for 30 seconds. To taste for sweetness, pour about 2 ounces ginger concentrate into a glass along with about 8 ounces of club soda. If it’s not sweet enough, blend in more sweetener until it reaches your preferred sweetness.
- Refrigerate up to 3 weeks. Shake before serving. Add a squeeze of fresh lime to your ginger beer before serving. Fresh mint and/or candied ginger make nice garnishes as well.
Notes
- Adapted from Lottie and Doof, originally from Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It by Karen Solomon.
- Yields about 36 ounces ginger beer concentrate. If you are using 2 ounces ginger beer concentrate per ginger beer, that means you can make 18 ginger beers. Feel free to double the recipe if you’re throwing a party.
- I’ve tried this recipe with agave nectar and honey. I prefer the neutral taste of agave nectar. Pure cane sugar is traditionally used in Jamaican ginger beer recipes and may produce the best flavor of all.
- If you want a ginger ale syrup recipe, check out Joy the Baker’s recipe.
- If you’re not sure what to do with all that ginger beer concentrate, freeze it in ice cube trays! The cubes will last for several months in the freezer (store them in an airtight freezer bag). See photo below.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Yes! I’m on a total ginger beer kick at the moment. Can’t wait to try making my own.
Sending lots of good thoughts your way.
Just tried your recipe; it is delicious. I find most store bought Ginger beers/ales are too sweet for my taste. This was perfect without any recipe adjustments needed. This is definitely worth the effort! THANK YOU
Finally, a beer I can drink :) Kathryne, you may have just saved my drink dilemma-filled life. Water at night, every night, just doesn’t compete with a glass of wine. Hoping the clouds part for you soon my friend. Much love!
Opened your recipe because I really love ginger and then I read your message and fund myself with tears in my eyes! Going through a really bad day and I felt it was me! I hope to see some blue skies soon! Wish you the best and will try your beer soon! Love, from brazil!
Thank you for commenting, Virginia. I hope your days since visiting have been brighter.
It looks like you are peeling the ginger root with a spoon?
Other recipes say to shred the ginger??
Hi Ellen, yes, I peeled the ginger with a spoon and then shredded it in a food processor.
So glad you’re enjoying the ginger beer, friend! If you want to switch things up, I love just about any type of fruit juice mixed with club soda and lemon/lime.
The Dark ‘n Stormy is one of my favorite cocktails, and I can just imagine how intense it would be with this homemade ‘brew’. Thanks!
I love ginger and this is genius. So versatile. Cheers!
I’m an avid ginger lover! I’ve got to try this! Thanks for sharing :)
I love ginger beer so much, but I really love a good ginger beer cocktail. I can’t wait until it’s warm out and I can sip Moscow Mules on the porch. Your ginger beer looks so gorg!
Kathryne – As a fellow 20-something, I so enjoy your words of wisdom wrapped up in a recipe. It’s amazing how tumultuous one’s 20s can be, but it’s nice to hear from others who go through hard times and can still see the light. Thanks for doing what you do!
Thank you, Jenna. Glad to hear that you find hints of wisdom in my writing. I’ve just been feeling really lost lately. Our twenties can be rough, huh?
Wow, this sounds amazing! I love ginger and I’m SO excited to try this recipe! What a great choice to lighten up the mood. Ginger has such a clean, refreshing, purifying taste… perfect for the spring cleaning I’ve been doing (both physically and emotionally). I’m so glad I got to talk to you last week. Let’s make a habit of it! I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!
Why do people rate a recipe without making it! Does not help at all.
Agreed. Encouraging comments are wonderful but please don’t rate until you’ve actually made the recipe.
Girl, you are just my fav. It seems like we enjoy all of the same foods. For real. I made gin-gin mule variations last night. Crazy! I agree that Reefs is too sweet so I’m going to make this ginger beer ASAP. Thank you for all of your recipes and inspiration! I (often) gladly make impulse trips to the store because of you.
Grace, I love love love hearing that you have made my recipes. We’re totally on the same wavelength! Wish you lived closer so we could eat together in real life.
Heck, yes! This looks so freaking delicious!!
Yes!! I am obsessed with ginger beer. I have never tried to make it myself though. I love this recipe and how simple it is. I cannot wait to try it. Thank you!
Wow, Kate! Your photos are stunning. And as always your words are wise and touch straight to the heart.
This looks delicious! And probably much healthier than ginger ale. I will definitely give it a try!
Very cool recipe! As a kid, I remember my mum absolutely adored ginger beer. Not knowing any better, thinking ginger wasn’t anything special and detesting beer (which I still haven’t acquired a taste for), I never felt compelled to try it. Having said that, I now absolutely LOVE ginger so I have a feeling I’d love this drink too! Thanks so much for sharing all the recipe combos!
Angela, I hope you’ll give ginger beer a try! If you love ginger, I have no doubt you would absolutely love it.
You DO have readers who are about you and appreciate all the hard work that goes into your posts/recipes/photography. Thanks for continuing to post despite the fact you’re going through a challenging time… I know it must be tough to find the energy & motivation….And, bee-tee-dubs, these ginger drinks look delish :)
Thank you very much, Lauren.
I love ginger! This sounds so refreshing…a perfect drink for summer!
I want a tall glass of this right now! Sounds so good and I love the idea of making my own drink and I love that there is no beer in it (19 and not a drinker)!
Wow…thanks! I have been thinking about trying to make my own for a while now and tonight, after a very long, week and a long day and things are just generally not going so well, here is your recipe! Take care, and thanks, again! xo
Thank you, Tracy! Glad to hear my post brightened your day. Hope you’re enjoying some homemade ginger beer!
I am a big fan of ginger beer! Thanks for giving this recipe!
Love this post. I’ve been on a ginger kick for a couple of years now, myself. It’s incredible how much zing and goodness it can add to so many dishes. Ginger is inherently refreshing and it’s fitting that your post shows how it it’s not just for food recipes but drinks as well. Thanks for another great piece!
This is BRILLIANT!! You have no idea how ecstatic I am to see this recipe! I’ve been struggling with a very upset stomach all week and have tried three different grocery store ginger ales/beers and none have really tasted quite right to me. (Not to mention buying ginger brews all week adds up!) I will definitely be making this and freezing the concentrate for later. I adore your blog and always get excited when I see you’ve posted a new recipe! Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you, Rachel! Have you tried the ginger beer concentrate? I hope you’re enjoying it. I went through a spell with frequent stomachaches this winter and the homemade ginger beer definitely helped calm my stomach.
Oh wow, I absolutely adore ginger beer (not ginger ale, yuck!) and have always wanted to make mine own. Your version looks so delicious – I’m going to make some for a party we’re having this weekend!
This looks like the perfect beverage–so light and refreshing!
I frickin’ love ginger! Lately I’ve been adding extra to my kombucha. It’s the best. I know I’d love this too. And for this weekend, perhaps with a splash of rum too.
I love your tip to freeze the leftover concentrate. Such a great tip! I like to do that with lemons and limes if they are starting to go bad in my fridge.
That’s a great idea, Maria! I never thought to freeze lemon and lime juice. I’ll do that the next time mine start going bad.
What a delicious looking drink for summer! From your descriptions of your recent hard times, it sounds like we may be going through a similar kind of heartbreak. My boyfriend and I broke up a week ago, and it’s been one of the hardest and saddest weeks of my life. I just keep telling myself that everything happens for a reason and that I’ll feel better in time. I just wanted to let you know you’re not alone and to remember those two hopefully helpful mantras!
Hi Kate, I feel worried about you just reading about how you’re feeling, and I sincerely hope things improve for you. It sounds like you know you have tons of people to turn to for support. xoxo
My kids and I love making homemade soda in the summertime. We’ve even made our own soda water maker, kind of like a homemade Soda Stream.
That’s so awesome, Janel! Did you make your DIY soda water maker like this one? http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2012-06/how-make-your-own-home-carbonation-system I’m intrigued.
I’m pretty enamored with ginger also and we definitely need it right now to add some brightness to these dark days! Ginger beer definitely seems like the way to do it.
Now that you mention it, Reed’s is too sweet. I love the intense ginger flavor, but I can usually only take a few swigs before I’ve reached my sugar threshold. I cannot wait to try this concentrate; I got so excited when I saw the heading in my reader.
I’m so glad that you keep doing what you’re doing, even when times are rough. I’ve found cooking and creating to be a panacea for my problems. It always cheers me up, even if only for a short while. I’ve been following your blog for just a little while but I’ve been enjoying it so. Your sincerity and passion comes through clearly. I’m always eager to see what you come up with, as well as to go through your archives and try old recipes I missed.
It will pass. Have a happy weekend.
Thank you so much, Amanda. I’ve been easing back into cooking lately, though I admit I haven’t felt very motivated to do it. I hope you enjoy the ginger beer concentrate.
“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret…Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it.” Psalm 37:7,8, and 5.
I’ve enjoyed many of your recipes…the text is thought-provoking as well :)
Thank you, Molly.
Hi there. I’ve been doing research about homemade ginger beer and came across your blog. From what I’ve read, what you’re making here is ginger ale NOT ginger beer. Ginger beer is actually made with fermentation and has a very small quantity of alcohol (~0.5%). Ginger ale is simple ginger juice mixed with carbonated water, sugar, etc. Anyway, I’m glad I found your blog and will keep checking it!
Thanks, Jill. I’ve researched the differences between ginger beer and ginger ale as well. I found an article on Serious Eats that says that these days, the difference is really only a matter of taste. This recipe tastes like ginger beer, even if it is not by some definitions.
I made this last night for Moscow mules and it was totally awesome! Since I didn’t have a strainer I ended up squeezing the pulp through a pair of nylons and it worked out perfectly.
Thanks, Nikki! I’m so glad you enjoyed the ginger beer. Using nylons as a strainer is genius.
Oh my! This is going to save me so much money! Thanks for sharing this beautiful recipe even though you are going through a rough time!
You’re welcome, Stefanie! Hope you love your homemade ginger beer!
Hey Kathryne! Thanks for posting this! Alex was very exited to give it a try!! We bought our pound + of ginger yesterday, and got to peeling and pressing today. The result was awesome! I love the idea of customizing the sweetness and spiciness of the ginger beer!
We’re going to split the batch into different containers and experiment with some infusions: cinnamon, clove, hibiscus, etc. I’ll let you know how they turn out! :) Wishing you well, friend!!
Hey friend! I’m so glad you two are enjoying the ginger beer concentrate. I love your infusion ideas! Eager to hear how they turn out. P.s. Let’s set dates for my Minneapolis trip.
Holy cow that is SPICY! Tastes great at first but it’s just too spicy. Not sure how this could be toned down, but if it were 90% less intense I would love it. Find a way to do that and it’d get 5 stars
Hey Rob, did you add club soda? Dilute it until it reaches your desired taste. You might prefer to add extra sweetener, too.
I love making home made ginger syrup and it always makes a great drink any time with or without alcohol!
Kate – if your mood is related to your most recent friend, I will just say try and remember you were a whole person before him and you remain a whole person now. Try and focus on where (or who) you want to be 6 months from now and start working towards that! Best to you.
Thank you, Stacey.
Damn! I forgot to weigh my ginger before I bought it and just bought one giant chunk, assuming it would be enough. Any idea how many cups of roughly chopped ginger you would need? Or how much pulp you should end up with after step 1?
Bummer! Check your grocery store receipt if you have it for the weight. If not, I think you can wing it. I used roughly two cups chopped ginger chunks. Just blend up the ginger as described and add some sweetener. Dilute it with club soda, taste it, add more sweetener if needed. See you soon!
Your Ginger Beer looks delicious, such a refreshing drink for summer :)
I found this post via Pinterest while my hubs and I were on our way to the grocery store. I added all of the ingredients to my list and came straight home and made it. I’ve always wanted to try ginger beer, and I am so very glad I did. This is amazing! I love that it’s not over the top sweet, the bite is just the right intensity for me. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe with us. I sincerely hope that you are feeling better. I’m now going to poke around the rest of your blog.
Thank you for commenting, Mindy! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the ginger beer and hope you’ll give some of my other recipes a try, too.
this brings back sweet memories since I was born and raised in Jamaica and we drank ginger beer all the time. So refreshing. thanks for sharing the recipe
Kate, just checking in on you to make sure all is okay. Oooh, i feel the same way about ginger! Hope it warms your heart up and helps dispell whatever you’re going through.
Just catching up on some blogs and read this. I totally understand the dark cloud, sometimes life is tough. But you always offer some positive, healthy wisdom, and that’s a great way to liven up your readers and yourself. Thanks for encouraging words, as always. Oh, and I made fresh ginger ale a few summers ago and love it! http://katherinesacks.com/2010/08/dark-and-stormy-summertime/
Kathryne,
I’m so sorry to hear that you have a dark cloud these days. And I hope you know just how much we all appreciate you back! You are sharing deliciousness with us all the time, even when you’re feeling down… that’s grace and kindness at it’s best.
Your ginger beer looks awesome! I have to tell you… I just met Karen Soloman the other day. She’s super cool.
I hope spring cheers you up.
xoxo
E
I hope Spring blooms would cheer you up soon, Kate. Love the use of ginger here. Yum!
I’ve been searching Pinterest high and low to find a ginger beer recipe like this: one that doesn’t require sugar in order to ferment yeast and that you could adapt the sweetener to fit your needs. Now we’re talking. Thanks! You read my mind!
Can’t wait to try this Kate! (and to try all the cocktails that go along with it). Your recipes are always so inspiring. Sending good thoughts your way.
Ginger tea was always a must when I needed a little comfort growing up, but I say I like your idea of making this ginger beer concentrate and adding a little oomph with some liquor. Wishing you a extra comfort, Kathryne.
I love ginger. Thanks for this delicious recipe and the tips on how to get it into other foods! :)