Is it a soda, a cocktail mixer, or just something you drink when you need to settle your stomach? Whatever you think of ginger ale, one thing's for sure: not all brands are worth buying. Here's how we rank them, from best to worst.
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00:00Is it a soda, a cocktail mixer, or just something you drink when you need to settle your stomach?
00:05Whatever you think of ginger ale, one thing's for sure — not all brands are worth buying.
00:09Here's how we rank them, from best to worst.
00:12I cannot stock up enough ginger ale.
00:14I love ginger ale.
00:15Boylan Ginger Ale is the gold standard for what a ginger ale can be.
00:18Its carbonation is light enough that it doesn't overpower its distinct ginger kick, and that
00:23flavor is complemented by a subtle, lemony finish, making this drink satisfying on all
00:27counts.
00:28Damn, that's a lemony cola!
00:30But what really sets Boylan apart is its focus on quality ingredients.
00:34It's made with real ginger, which not only provides a fresher and more vibrant flavor,
00:39but also keeps the recipe natural.
00:41It also uses cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup, avoiding the excessive sweetness
00:45found in many of more mainstream options.
00:48To top it off, the citrus finish at the end comes from real lemon and lime oils rather
00:52than artificial flavoring.
00:53These little details are what elevate Boylan to the top of the list.
00:57Schweppes Ginger Ale has earned its place as a classic, offering a smooth and approachable
01:01flavor that's perfect for those who prefer a milder ginger ale.
01:05Unlike brands that pack a strong punch of real ginger, Schweppes uses natural ginger
01:09flavoring to deliver a more subdued profile.
01:12This gentler taste makes it an ideal choice if you enjoy the crispness of ginger ale without
01:16all the intensity of bold ginger spice.
01:18Yes, Schweppes does use high-fructose corn syrup, but despite that, its flavor remains
01:23impressively balanced.
01:24It avoids the over-the-top sweetness that can overpower some sodas, striking just the
01:29right level to complement its light, refreshing character.
01:32The carbonation is another highlight.
01:34It's perfectly bubbly, giving each sip an invigorating lift without being so fizzy that
01:38it goes all the way up your nose.
01:39Hey, it's Schweppes Ginger Ale time!
01:43Bruce Cost Ginger Ale is a standout for its unapologetically bold ginger flavor.
01:48With sediment visible in the bottle, this soda screams authenticity, thanks to its use
01:52of fresh ginger and organic cane sugar.
01:55What you end up getting is a strong ginger bite balanced by an almost honey-like sweetness.
01:59That being said, this is a ginger ale for those who truly love the spice, as it leaves
02:03a lasting impression on the taste buds.
02:06While its heavy flavor makes it less ideal for mixing into most cocktails, it shines
02:10as a standalone beverage.
02:11Bruce Cost's ingredient list is refreshingly short, with just carbonated water, organic
02:16cane sugar, 100% fresh ginger, and citric acid.
02:20So if you're a health-conscious consumer who still likes to enjoy a ginger ale from
02:23time to time, this version hits all the marks.
02:26Fever Tree Ginger Ale is crafted using essential oils extracted from a blend of three gingers
02:31sourced from the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and India.
02:34While it's not fresh ginger, this blend delivers a powerful ginger flavor and aroma, which
02:39are both quite earthy.
02:40It's also made with real sugar, so the sharp ginger notes are complemented by a nice sweetness
02:44that makes it feel indulgent.
02:46Aside from the extravagantly sourced ginger oils, this soft drink stands out for its clean
02:50ingredient list.
02:51Fever Tree completely avoids artificial sweeteners, colors, and preservatives, opting for natural
02:56ingredients instead.
02:58So if you're looking for a more straightforward ginger ale option, particularly for cocktails,
03:02this brand should not be overlooked as a contender.
03:05Reed's Ginger Ale stands out for its use of pressed organic ginger and cane sugar, clean
03:10ingredients that cater to those seeking a more wholesome beverage.
03:13The flavor profile strikes a balance between bold and mild.
03:16While it offers a spicier kick than many mainstream competitors, the ginger flavor is surprisingly
03:21subdued, making it approachable for a wide audience.
03:24This moderation also makes it an excellent mixer for cocktails, though those seeking
03:28an intense ginger bite might find it lacking.
03:31Complementing the ginger is a pleasant citrus aftertaste, which adds a layer of complexity.
03:35It is noticeably lighter on the carbonation, though, which can make it feel flat, especially
03:39if you're expecting the big fizziness of traditional sodas.
03:42No.
03:43Yeah, yes.
03:44Yes, my soda's flat.
03:46It doesn't have any bubbles.
03:48Q Mixer's Ginger Ale stands out as a slightly less sweet alternative to the traditional
03:53ginger ales out there.
03:54This is because it's sweetened with organic agave, as opposed to sugar or high-fructose
03:58corn syrup.
03:59It's also made with real ginger, which in spite of being the fourth-listed ingredient,
04:03comes through pretty moderately.
04:05It lives up to its billing as a great mixer that definitely won't overpower a cocktail.
04:10In addition to ginger, Q Mixer's incorporates a range of other spices, like chili pepper,
04:14orange, and rose oil.
04:15Those don't particularly stand out in the final flavor profile, though, which leans
04:19more toward the clean, crisp qualities of ginger.
04:23Ollipop Ginger Ale is a version that wholly stands out on its own.
04:26It offers strong lime and ginger flavors with a notably lighter carbonation.
04:30It's also sweetened with stevia instead of sugar, which gives it a distinct diet soda
04:34taste.
04:35Whether or not you like stevia will have some bearing on your feelings toward Ollipop.
04:38One standout feature of the brand is its focus on gut health, using prebiotics from
04:42sources like chicory, root inulin, Jerusalem artichoke inulin, and nopal cactus extract.
04:48These are complemented by the 14 percent of real juice in the mix.
04:51In other words, Ollipop is not even close to your run-of-the-mill ginger ale.
04:55If you're not a fan of the stevia flavor, however, Ollipop might not be for you.
04:59But if you're looking for a low-calorie ginger ale that offers digestive benefits and a noticeably
05:03different flavor, it's worth a try.
05:05Canada Dry is the quintessential ginger ale.
05:08When you drink it, you get a crisp and sweet flavor profile with only a hint of real ginger
05:12flavor.
05:13For many, this mildness is part of its charm, though it might feel underwhelming to anyone
05:17seeking a more robust ginger experience.
05:19This subtle flavor is due in part to the recipe, which includes less than 2 percent ginger
05:23extract.
05:24And considering that high-fructose corn syrup is the second ingredient on the list, its
05:28prominent sweetness is not a shocking reveal.
05:31As one of the most widely available ginger ales, Canada Dry is a household staple with
05:35a light taste that appeals to the masses.
05:37And with a history dating back to 1904, it's also one of the longest-standing ginger ale
05:42brands on the market.
05:43While its dependability is a strength, it doesn't offer anything unexpected or adventurous
05:47for ginger ale aficionados.
05:49Regardless, Canada Dry remains a convenient and familiar choice.
05:53Canada Dry cools your thirst.
05:55It's a taste that can't be beat."
05:57Many people know Seagram's better as an alcohol brand, but it also makes ginger ale.
06:01Maybe Seagram's should stick to booze, though, because its ginger ale has a pretty weak ginger
06:05flavor.
06:06A little surprising, considering that ginger extract is the fourth ingredient listed.
06:10Then again, it's listed as ginger extract with other natural flavors, so maybe those
06:14other flavors get in the way.
06:15This gentler ginger profile is among the reasons Seagram's doesn't quite compete with other
06:19ginger ales on the list.
06:21Plus, the use of high-fructose corn syrup makes it noticeably on the syrupy-sweet side
06:25of things.
06:26Sure, it's undeniably refreshing and easy to drink, but that high level of sweetness
06:30isn't always what a ginger ale enthusiast is seeking.
06:33Ugh!
06:34Oh, jeez!
06:35I'll take a crab juice."
06:38Marketed as the original ginger ale, Werner's was first crafted in Detroit in 1862.
06:43Despite the old-timey label, it's not your traditional ginger ale.
06:46Instead, Werner's has a sweet, almost syrupy base with a slight caramel aftertaste, more
06:51like a heavily sweetened soda than a sharp ginger beverage.
06:54It's also remarkably fizzy, with an intense carbonation that stings the nostrils upon
06:58opening.
06:59Werner's.
07:00It's different.
07:01Unfortunately, Werner's contains no actual ginger in its recipe anymore, just natural
07:06and artificial flavors, and is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup.
07:09However, its nostalgic charm and bold fizz have secured its place as a staple for those
07:13who enjoy its distinctive character.
07:16Zevia Ginger Ale is designed for the sugar-avoiding soda lover.
07:19You might guess from the brand's name that it uses stevia as a sweetener in all of its
07:23sodas, including its ginger ale, and this choice comes with a noticeable downside.
07:27The stevia flavor is strong and tends to dominate, leaving a lingering aftertaste that
07:32can overshadow the ginger.
07:33With minimal ingredients, including natural ginger extract, Zevia focuses on simplicity
07:38and transparency.
07:39It's also calorie-free, making it an excellent option if you're watching your sugar intake.
07:43The downside is that bold diet soda taste can easily be off-putting.
07:47So, while it's an excellent choice for a specific audience, Zevia Ginger Ale is probably not
07:52going to satisfy purists or those who aren't fans of stevia.