Ginger ale
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2008-07-17T03:25:27Z
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{{globalize|US}}[[Image:Ginger ale.jpg|thumb|A glass of golden ginger ale]]
[[Image:Ginger ale bottles.jpg|thumb|Bottled ginger ale]]
'''Ginger ale''' is a [[soft drink]] flavored with [[ginger]].
==History==
[[Ginger beer]], a strongly flavoured fermented product appeared in the British Isles in the 1700's.
Ginger ales come in two varieties: ''golden'' ginger ale and ''dry'' ginger ale. Golden ginger ale, dark colored and strong flavored, is the older style. Dry ginger ale was developed during [[Prohibition]] when ginger ale was used as a mixer for [[alcoholic beverages]] as the strong flavor of golden ginger ale was undesirable. Dry ginger ale quickly surpassed golden ginger ale in popularity, and today golden ginger ale is an uncommon, and usually regional, drink. [[Vernors]], [[Blenheim Ginger Ale|Blenheim]], Chelmsford, and Red Rock are brands of golden ginger ale, while [[Canada Dry]], [[Schweppes]] and [[Seagram]]'s are major brands of dry ginger ale.
Ginger ale occupies a small niche in the soda market. While vending machines and soda fountains rarely contain ginger ale, the drink is a staple on supermarket shelves, in bars, and on airlines.
==Manufacturing==
Brands available in [[North America]] include [[Canada Dry]], [[Canfield's]], [[Hansen Natural]], [[Vernors]], [[Seagram|Seagram's]], [[Seamans]], [[Schweppes]], [[Sussex Golden Ginger Ale|Sussex]], [[Buffalo Rock]], [[Boylan Bottling Company]], [[Polar Beverages]], [[Ale-8-One]], [[Blenheim Ginger Ale]], [[Foxon Park]], [[Sprecher Brewery|Sprecher]], Vally, Market Basket/Chelmsford, [[Red Rock Cola|Red Rock]], [[Reed's Ginger Brew]], [[Chek]] (River of Dreams), and Northern Neck Ginger Ale.
Vernors is a flavored golden ginger ale aged for four years in oak barrels before bottling. It was the first U.S. soft drink, originating in [[1866]], although it was modelled on imported [[Ireland|Irish]] ginger beers. In [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]], [[Michigan]], a drink made with [[vanilla]] [[ice cream]] and [[Vernors]] ginger ale is called a [[Boston cooler]]. The name is not taken from [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], where this combination is unknown, but from an establishment on Boston Boulevard in Detroit where it is said to have been invented.
Blenheim is a golden ginger ale made in South Carolina; unlike most other brands, it is available in several degrees of spiciness: Old #3 Hot, #5 Not as Hot, #9 Diet, and #11 Ginger Beer.
===Ingredients===
Ginger ale commonly contains ginger, sugar and carbonated water. Ginger content is often listed on labels in a general ''natural aroma'' or ''[[natural flavoring]]'' statement, to preserve secrecy of the complex proprietary mix of [[spices]], fruits and other flavors used. Lemon, [[lime]] and [[cane sugar]] are the most common of ingredients. [[Pineapple]] and [[honey]] are also occasional ingredients.
==Usage==
Ginger ale is used as a [[home remedy]] to prevent or alleviate [[motion sickness]], to relieve upset stomachs and to soothe coughs and [[sore throat]]s. It contains high levels of sugar, which can cause an [[osmosis|osmotic]] shift that can affect the bowels more than the desired effect of the ginger. {{Fact|date=October 2007}}
It is popular in [[mixed drink]]s, especially in [[non-alcoholic mixed drink]]s. It is sometimes used as a non-alcoholic substitute for [[Champagne (wine)|champagne]], since the beverages resemble each other in appearance.
==Variations==
[[Ginger beer]] is a similar drink that is typically much more strongly ginger-flavored, less carbonated, and less sweet. Some brands may contain [[Ethanol|alcohol]].
Dry ginger ale is also sold with a [[mentha|mint]] flavoring added. Popular brands of mint ginger ale include [[Tom Tucker (drink)|Tom Tucker]] Southern Style, and Cott (which no longer produces this flavor). Some mint ginger ale brands have an artificial green [[food coloring|color]] added, while others are clear in color.
Some manufacturers have produced fruit-flavored ginger ales, including raspberry, cranberry and grape flavored versions of Schweppes.
== See also ==
* [[Ginger beer]]
* [[Switchel]]
==References==
{{Refimprove|date=May 2008}}
==External links==
*[http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/Cheese/Ginger_Ale_Ag0.htm How to make ginger ale from ginger root, sugar and yeast.]
*[http://homecooking.about.com/library/archive/blbev7.htm Homecooking ginger ale recipe]
*[http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/001620homemade_ginger_ale.php Elise's ginger ale recipe]
*[http://www.recipesource.com/side-dishes/beverages/ginger-ale1.html Recipe Source's ginger ale recipe]
*[http://www.reedsgingerbrew.com/ Reed's Ginger Brew home page]
[[Category:Ginger ale]]
[[Category:Infusions]]
[[Category:Drink mixers]]
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