Your ultimate guide to ginger beer (2024)

If you’ve ever found yourself pondering the question ‘what is ginger beer?’ look no further, we’re about to answer it for you.

Despite the name, ginger beer is a non-alcoholic beverage that has been popular in Britain for centuries. Back in the day, it was an alcoholic beverage, similar to cider. However, over the years, it has evolved to become a spicy and aromatic soft drink crafted from a blend of mostly water, ginger and sugar that’s fermented with yeast.

Today, Ginger Beer is arguably at its best.

The difference between ginger beer and ginger ale

Similarly to ginger beer, ginger ale is also a non-alcoholic beverage. The main difference is that ginger beer will have been fermented with yeast, whereas ginger ale is simply a carbonated beverage. While both make for excellent choices, ginger beer often boasts a strong flavour thanks to fermentation the process.

Ginger beer is good for…

Since ginger beer is a soft drink, it’s excellent to enjoy by itself. However, it’s also a firm favourite when it comes to mixing up popular co*cktails such as Moscow Mules and Dark ‘n’ Stormy. At Gunna, we think that ginger beer pairs particularly well with rum, although, we’re down to try almost anything.

Is ginger beer good for you?

If you think back to when you were younger, you might remember your parents offering you a little ginger beer for an upset stomach. But is it really good for you? There’s no clear-cut answer to this question.

Ginger beer is typically a healthier choice than most carbonated drinks on the market because it contains less sugar than a coca-cola, for example. In terms of the ingredients, ginger is praised for its purposes of aiding digestion, reducing nausea and fighting common colds and flu. Of course, copious amounts of rum may well cancel out those benefits, but we’re not judging.

Introducing our much-loved Ginger Rebel

Ginger Rebel is our very own take on Britain’s much-loved ginger lemonade. Our rebellious concoction takes inspiration from the classic drink, which is traditionally made with ginger beer and aromatic bitters. The original recipe was created over 100 years ago by the British Navy, so we had to pay homage.

Our tasty Ginger Lemonade boasts fresh floral ginger notes, fruity hints of lemon and lime and aromatic herbs to create a unique sweet, sour and spicy flavour. To ensure you can enjoy all the flavour, we’ve stripped back the sugar. When compared with other soft drinks, our 5% sugar content is a game-changer.

As well as leaving out any unnecessary sugar, you’ll find no nasties in our Ginger Rebel. Instead, just a list of ingredients you can actually understand. We combine sparkling water, sugar, lemon juice, natural ginger extract, caramel sugar syrup, sweetness and other natural flavourings to bring you a treat for your taste buds.

While our drinks are insanely tasty on their own, the Ginger Rebel goes well with rum, vodka and gin. But you don’t need to just take our word for it; we’ve got the awards to back it up.

Earlier this year, our Ginger Lemonade won a Great Taste Award, which is, of course, a pretty big deal to us!

Now, it’s your turn to try it.

Boasting true character and real flavour, no one does craft drinks like us. For special offers, fun recipes, updates and more follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Tik Tok.

Your ultimate guide to ginger beer (2024)

FAQs

Is ginger beer a healthy drink? ›

Coming in at less than 200 calories in a 12 oz (or 355 mL) can, it is a tasty and healthy option compared to other carbonated beverages. Dark sodas, for example, are primarily syrup, artificial sweeteners, and carbonated water, and rarely do they contain the same added health benefits that ginger beer has.

What are the four main components of ginger beer? ›

ginger beer, beverage, once popular in the United Kingdom, made by fermenting a mixture of ginger, water, sugar, cream of tartar, and yeast. Lemon peel and juice or citric acid may also be added.

Are you supposed to drink ginger beer by itself? ›

Since ginger beer is a soft drink, it's excellent to enjoy by itself. However, it's also a firm favourite when it comes to mixing up popular co*cktails such as Moscow Mules and Dark 'n' Stormy. At Gunna, we think that ginger beer pairs particularly well with rum, although, we're down to try almost anything.

Which ginger beer has real ginger? ›

Reed's Original Ginger Beer

This world-famous, Jamaican-inspired recipe is crafted with REAL fresh ginger root, natural fruit juices, honey and spices.

Why is ginger beer so expensive? ›

It is expensive to do it, and ginger juice makes such a big component that to make it it's our highest cost per production beer that we make.

Is ginger beer good for your belly? ›

Did you know that ginger beer is an effective remedy against nausea and morning sickness? According to studies conducted by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, ginger beer enhances digestion and helps food move smoothly through the stomach.

Is ginger beer full of sugar? ›

Ginger ale is the lighter option, with 125.1 calories and 32.3 grams of sugar per can (12 fl oz). Ginger beer is a bit heavier but nevertheless very close to ginger ale, with 140 calories and 35 grams of sugar per can or bottle (12 fl oz).

Is ginger bad for fatty liver? ›

Previous studies have shown that a diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents can be highly effective in treating liver problems, especially non-fatal fatty liver disease. Alcohol. Fortunately, ginger is a food that has all the elements needed to prevent and treat liver problems.

Is ginger beer a probiotic? ›

WHAT IS GINGER BEER? Ginger beer is a naturally fizzy beverage with a sweet and spicy bite. Grated ginger is fermented in sugar water and lemon juice, allowing the natural yeasts in ginger to feed and multiply, creating a probiotic beverage.

What alcohol is good in ginger beer? ›

Crisp and refreshing, the classic Moscow Mule is about as easy as can be. Vodka + ginger beer + plenty of ice.

Can diabetics drink ginger beer? ›

First, keep in mind that you want to stick to the spice itself. That means processed drinks, like ginger ale and ginger beer, which contain loads of added sugar, are off-limits. These options have the opposite of the desired effect, potentially sending blood sugar levels soaring.

Should you refrigerate ginger beer? ›

Please keep them refrigerated! The 12oz ginger beer bottles, however, do not need to be kept refrigerated as they have been pasteurized. We do recommend that they are served ice cold though!

Does ginger beer contain caffeine? ›

Real ginger beer is mildly alcoholic. It has a strong ginger taste, but little to no caffeine. Ginger ale is so dilute that compared to ginger beer it has almost no ginger taste.

What ginger beer do bars use for Moscow Mule? ›

Bundaberg Ginger Beer: The Aussie original, this brand has become more and more ubiquitous in recent years as the go-to option in most bars when you order a Moscow Mule. Made with cane sugar and Australian ginger, Bundaberg can attribute much of its popularity to the fact that its taste is extremely balance.

What is the original ginger beer? ›

Ginger beer – the delicious, brewed, fermented beverage that we all know and love – first appeared around the mid-1700s in England. It was initially made as a fermented alcoholic beverage using ginger, sugar and water.

Is ginger beer better than ginger ale for Moscow Mule? ›

In a pinch, ginger ale will work as a substitute for ginger beer in a Moscow mule, however the citrusy, zingy flavor that the ginger beer normally brings will be a lot more muted. Ginger ale will make your Moscow mule a lot more sweet and bubbly.

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