The 8 Best Substitutes For Ginger Beer

What can I use instead of ginger beer? The best substitute for ginger beer is ginger ale. Other alternatives include ginger syrup, Shirley Temple, ginger kombucha, lemon-lime soda, club soda or sparkling water, a few drops of ginger extract, or making homemade ginger beer.

Ginger beer is a popular non-alcoholic beverage made with a mixture of water, ginger, sugar, cream of tartar, and yeast. It has a robust, spicy flavor that leaves a crisp, distinctly gingery aftertaste. It can be drunk on its own or as part of a mix. Ginger beer is a key ingredient in several popular cocktails, including the Moscow Mule and Dark n’ Stormy.

The Best Ginger Beer Substitutes

Ginger Ale

Ginger ale should be the first substitute to consider if you have run out of ginger beer. It is a carbonated soft drink that has ginger flavoring added.

When substituting ginger ale for ginger beer, keep in mind that the gingery taste is not quite as strong. It is also more sugary and fizzier than traditional ginger beer since it is essentially a ginger-flavored soft drink.

Ginger ale has a mild, mellow taste that can work as a stand-in for ginger beer if you are in a pinch or don’t like ginger beer’s robust, punchy taste.

Ginger beer and ginger ale can often be used interchangeably in the same amounts in drinks or enjoyed on their own. When mixing drinks, remember that ginger ale has a milder, sweeter taste than ginger beer.

Ginger Syrup

Ginger syrup is a sweet mix of sugar, water, and ginger extract. It is commonly used as a flavored sweetener in baking or hot beverages.

Ginger syrup can work as a sweet and spicy substitute for ginger beer in some cocktails. Only use a fraction of ginger syrup compared to the amount of ginger beer required by the recipe to avoid overpowering the drink with sweetness.

Mix a teaspoon ginger syrup into a glass club soda or sparkling water to make it a closer match to ginger beer.

Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic drink made from ginger ale, grenadine, and white soda. It is a sweet, pink beverage with a slight hint of ginger.

Although the color of a Shirley Temple is not the same as ginger beer, it can work well as a substitute for ginger beer if you also can’t get ginger ale.

Use it in the same ratio as ginger beer, but keep in mind that the ginger flavor is not as strong as if you were using ginger beer.

Because of its bright color, Shirley Temple is an excellent substitute for ginger beer if you need a sweet, non-alcoholic gingery drink that looks sophisticated.

Ginger Kombucha

Kombucha is a health drink that is becoming increasingly trendy. It is a fermented brew of tea, sugar, yeast, and bacteria that are carefully combined.

Other ingredients are sometimes added as a flavoring or to boost the drink’s health properties.

Some ginger kombucha mixes can work well as a stand-in for ginger beer. The strength of the ginger taste may vary according to the mixture, but it may be a healthier way to brew your favorite cocktail and still enjoy the distinctive spicy taste of ginger.

Use ginger kombucha in the same amounts and applications as you need ginger beer.

Lemon Lime Soda

Lemon lime soda is a common carbonated soft drink. Sprite and 7Up are two popular brands, although there are many more.

The taste of lemon-lime soda is nothing like ginger beer, but it can work as a substitute when making a Moscow Mule. Use it in the same ratio as the ginger beer required for a light citrusy, bubbly drink.

Club Soda Or Sparkling Water

Since some cocktail drinks that require ginger beer also have other strongly flavored ingredients, it is possible to use an unflavored, carbonated beverage as a stand-in for ginger beer.

This substitution only works if ginger beer is only one of the ingredients in a mixed drink, as it won’t have any ginger taste.

Use club soda or sparkling water instead of ginger beer when making a Moscow Mule since the vodka and lime components will provide the distinctive flavor.

Club soda or sparkling water are also good options for anyone who dislikes or is allergic to ginger.

Ginger Extract

Ginger extract is a highly concentrated form of ginger that can be purchased in health stores or homemade. It is made by extracting ginger liquid from the plant.

Ginger extract should only be used in tiny amounts to add the ginger taste component to drinks. It can be mixed into any beverage that needs an element of ginger taste.

Add a few drops ginger extract to club soda, or sparkling water can be used in place of ginger beer if you are in a pinch and also need a slight fizz.

Adding sugar-free ginger extract to sparkling water is an excellent option for people with diabetes.

Homemade Ginger Beer

Ginger beer can be made at home and substituted for the commercial variety.

Homemade recipes can either mimic the traditional taste of ginger beer or be adapted to suit dietary requirements or individual preferences.

The basic ingredients of ginger beer are ginger, water, sugar, yeast, and lime juice to add balance to the strong taste of ginger. There are also sugar-free recipes available.

The only downside to homemade ginger beer is that most recipes take several days to ferment. That means you need to plan ahead if you want to serve a homemade variety.