Cinnamon Free Classic Ginger Lemonade
Bright, zingy, and deeply refreshing, this ginger lemonade is the kind of drink that makes you wonder why you ever bought the bottled stuff. The star of the show is a homemade ginger syrup — fresh ginger slices simmered low and slow with sugar and water until the whole kitchen smells incredible. Steeping the syrup after cooking lets the ginger flavor fully bloom before it ever meets the lemon juice, which means every sip has that warm, spicy kick balanced perfectly against the tartness of freshly squeezed lemons. For anyone avoiding warming spices like cinnamon, this recipe is a dream — the heat and complexity come entirely from real ginger root, with zero spice blends or pre-made mixes in sight. Served over ice with a few mint sprigs and lemon slices, it looks as good as it tastes. It's easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to set out at a summer gathering without a second thought.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the ginger syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 oz fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
For the lemonade
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 6–8 lemons)
- 3 cups cold water
For serving
- ice, for serving
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine 1 cup water, the sugar, and the sliced ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 3–4 minutes.
- 2
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, until the syrup is slightly thickened and fragrant with ginger.
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