DIY Ginger Liqueur Recipe (2024)

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This homemade ginger liqueur can compete with Domaine de Canton on flavor—for less than half the cost and only 20 minutes of work.

By

Marcia Simmons

Marcia Simmons

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Updated December 02, 2022

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DIY Ginger Liqueur Recipe (1)

In This Recipe

  • What's Available to Buy?

  • Why DIY?

  • How to Use It

Why It Works

  • This homemade ginger liqueur can compete with Domaine de Canton on flavor—for less than half the cost and only 20 minutes of work.
  • Steeping time is very short, so this is a perfect DIY holiday gift.
  • Unleash your creativity by experimenting with different flavor combinations in small batches to make something you won't find on a liquor store shelf.

Ginger liqueur offers an exciting blend of sweet and spicy flavors. It can turn a basic drink into an intricately layered cocktail experience. Sure, you can use ginger liqueur all year (it's great with sparkling wine, especially when muddled with peaches in the summer) but this potion especially calls to us in winter, when it's just the thing to spice up our drinks.

What's Available to Buy?

Domaine de Cantonis the most common ginger liqueur on the market. The ginger kick in Canton is balanced with vanilla, honey, and Cognac—it's elegant, but a bit sweet.Snapis a bolder ginger liqueur featuring nutmeg, cinnamon, and Rooibos tea in its mix of spices. It reminds me of a hearty gingerbread. Both cost about $30 a bottle—though I think Domaine de Canton is a more flexible cocktail ingredient. TheKing's Gingeris a slightly more expensive high-proof ginger liqueur with an intense bite—smooth but barely sweet.

Stirrings also offers a less complex ginger liqueur for half the price. Though it has a lovely flavor, I find that it doesn't add any more dimension to mixed drinks than a well-made ginger simple syrup would.

Why DIY?

As easy as it is to buy a bottle of Canton, my recipe for DIY ginger liqueur takes only 30 minutes of work and tastes just as delicious and refined. The steeping time is very short, so this is a perfect homemade holiday gift. (Hear that, procrastinators?)

It's also fun to play with different flavor combinations in small batches. Add some cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom for an earthier liqueur that's a good match for ciders and warm holiday drinks. A little lemon zest and lemongrass will give you a bright, Asian-inspired flavor. The beauty of homemade liqueur is unleashing your creativity to make something you won't see on the shelf at some liquor store.

Use It!

Your homemade liqueur is perfect for jazzing up all sorts of cocktails. The simpleTom Collinssuddenly tastes exotic with a bit of ginger, but you can also get more complicated than that. Add a little to a hot toddy on a cold night. And yes, it's goodin eggnog, or shaken up withrosemary and pears.

Ginger pairs well with so many flavors—think about food recipes that you like that include ginger, and then use those flavors in a cocktail. Carrots, oranges, lemons, apples, pumpkin, green tea—these things are natural partners for ginger and could be the basis for a great new drink. If you give your liqueur as a gift, you can include some handwritten recipe cards featuring your favorite ginger liqueur cocktails. That is, if you can bear to part with some of it.

December 2011

Recipe Details

DIY Ginger Liqueur Recipe

Prep5 mins

Cook25 mins

Active25 mins

Infusing Time72 hrs

Total72 hrs 30 mins

Serves16 servings

Makes2 cups

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces ginger root

  • 1 vanilla bean

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1 1/2 cups water

  • 1 orange

  • 1 1/2 cups brandy

Directions

  1. Peel ginger and cut it into thin slices. Split vanilla bean in half lengthwise.

    DIY Ginger Liqueur Recipe (2)

  2. Bring ginger, vanilla, sugar, and water to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until ginger is soft—about 20 minutes. Let the syrup cool. Do not strain yet.

    DIY Ginger Liqueur Recipe (3)

  3. Zest orange and place zest only in a sealable glass container along with the syrup and brandy. Seal and shake, then let this mixture steep for one day.

    DIY Ginger Liqueur Recipe (4)

  4. After one day, remove vanilla bean and let mixture steep for an additional day.

    DIY Ginger Liqueur Recipe (5)

  5. Strain mixture through a coffee filter into your bottle or jar for storage. Let it sit for one more day before using to let flavors mellow.

    DIY Ginger Liqueur Recipe (6)

Notes

Peeling ginger with a spoon allows you to navigate the curves and bumps more easily than using a peeler.

Store as you would any liqueur—no refrigeration is required. This should keep for a year, but if it develops off flavors or a cloudy appearance, discard it.

Special Equipment

Zester

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
87Calories
0g Fat
13g Carbs
0g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories87
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 1mg0%
Total Carbohydrate 13g5%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg3%
Calcium 1mg0%
Iron 0mg0%
Potassium 3mg0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

DIY Ginger Liqueur Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is ginger liqueur made of? ›

It is very easy to make and requires very few ingredients: ginger root obviously, alcohol, water and sugar. Like with any good liquor, a lengthy maceration and resting time is necessary, so that all the flavors are absorbed and for it to become nice and golden in color.

What is a good substitute for ginger liqueur? ›

When you want to lighten up the alcohol content of your ginger cocktails, replace the ginger liqueur with ginger-infused syrup. It's easy to make at home and has a similar sweetness and ginger flavoring, but without the liquor base.

What is the difference between King's ginger and Domaine de Canton? ›

The most significant difference is that Canton is a little more accurate to the taste of raw ginger. It's also not quite as sweet as The King's Ginger, which is known for a bolder ginger kick and a hint of lemon that's distinguishable from Canton's vanilla and orange tones.

Does ginger liqueur go bad? ›

Most liqueur should be used within 6 months to a year after opening. While stable liquors mainly lose their potency and flavor after their seal is broken, liqueurs can spoil and grow bacteria over time. The more sugar in the beverage, the faster it will spoil.

How much alcohol is in ginger liqueur? ›

Syrupy sweetness was countered by 41% alcohol, fiery ginger and zesty citrus in the old King's Ginger liqueur.

What is the name of the ginger liquor? ›

While Domaine De Canton prides itself on being the original and is the most widely known ginger liqueur, it isn't the only on worth trying.

What is the closest flavor to ginger? ›

Galangal. Galangal is a root often used in Southeast Asian cooking. Its flavor is similar to ginger but with a fresh, citrusy punch.

What are the health benefits of ginger liqueur? ›

Ginger Liqueur helps to improve blood circulation and expel “coldness” from the body. It is especially beneficial towards conditions such as cold hands and feet.

Which is the best ginger in the world? ›

Buderim Ginger - The World's Finest Ginger.

Which ginger is strongest? ›

Fresh and dried ginger are not interchangeable. Dried ground ginger has a very different flavour and texture, and is twice as strong as fresh ginger. Similarly, fresh ginger is intense, juicy and fibrous, with a more pronounced, fiery taste and heavy citric notes.

What is the best quality ginger in the world? ›

Cochin Ginger is widely considered to be one of the Finest in the world, commanding a Premium Price, because of its Lemon-Like Flavor, Low Fiber Content and High Moisture Content. The principal Markets of Cochin Quality Dried Ginger are the Middle East (particularly Saudi Arabia), USA, UK and The Netherlands.

How long does ginger liqueur last? ›

Most opened (and well-sealed) liqueurs should last for six months to a year (or even longer), depending on the alcohol content and preservatives. Once you notice sugar crystallizing on the bottom, discoloration, curdling, or other changes, throw the bottle away.

What does ginger liqueur taste like? ›

Nose: Strong fresh ginger plus a hint of candied ginger. Little bit of alcohol bite. Palate: Start to finish, lots of hot, tingly ginger. Under current of molasses and root beer on the mid-palate.

What is King's ginger liqueur? ›

A unique and revitalising spirit

& Rudd for King Edward VII in 1903, The King's Ginger is golden in colour and delightfully robust in flavour. A revitalising and warming spirit that brings people together. The King's Ginger is wonderfully uplifting when enjoyed on its own and comes to life in many delicious cocktails.

What liquor is ginger? ›

Domaine de Canton is the most common ginger liqueur on the market. The ginger kick in Canton is balanced with vanilla, honey, and Cognac—it's elegant, but a bit sweet.

What type of alcohol is ginger wine? ›

Ginger wine is a fortified wine often made from a fermented blend of ginger, raisins, sugar and yeast, that is often fortified by being blended with brandy. It is one of the main ingredients of the Whisky Mac cocktail.

Is there alcohol made from ginger? ›

Brewed ginger beer originated in Yorkshire in England in the mid-18th century, it was popular in Britain and its colonies from the 18th century. Other spices were variously added and any alcohol content was limited to 2% by excise tax laws in 1855.

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