Let’s face it when most people envision soda, ginger ale is likely not the first thing they think of. It’s generally relegated to being the drink of choice for a queasy stomach or added to cocktails behind bars. Because of that, you’d probably think all ginger ales more or less taste the same: bubbly, slightly gingery, and perhaps slightly bland.
But that’s not the entire tale. Ginger ale is actually found in a broad variety of styles and flavors. Some are spicy and pungent, some mellow and sugary. We assembled a mix of mainstream ginger ales from familiar supermarket brands to oddball regional products and put them to the taste test. We examined everything from carbonation and sweetness levels to the intensity of the ginger flavor.
Here’s what impressed and didn’t.
1. Sprecher Ginger Ale (Rank: #14)
Sprecher, that highly regarded Milwaukee craft soda and brewery, typically does wonderful work with their sodas. They fire-brew their beverages and sweeten them with Wisconsin honey, providing many of their offering’s true substance. But the ginger ale? It’s. a lot.
Instead of a strong ginger presence, it tastes more like sipping on a pine tree. There’s a bitter, herbal edge, plus smoky and woody notes that come from their fire-brewing process. It’s interesting, sure but not something you’d reach for on a hot afternoon. It feels more like a sipping soda than a refreshing one.
2. Zia Ginger Ale (#13)
Zia is a tiny New Mexico company that employs native ingredients such as red chile to give its sodas their unique flavor. Its ginger ale begins sweet, nearly like lemon-lime candy, but you find a smoky, slightly bitter hint of the chile.
It’s certainly distinctive, and the taste is closer to being a cocktail mixer than a straight soda. The ginger is muted in this one, being overpowered by other strong tastes. You might serve this with tequila or mezcal if you want something innovative, but it’s not what you’d sit back and drink solo on a regular basis.
3. Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Ale (#12)
Fever-Tree is a brand that specializes in upmarket mixers, and their ginger ale is certainly of that “for cocktails” sort. The aroma is hay-like, earthy. The flavor has a mineral tang to it. It’s gingery, but not in the warm, spicy sense.
They use three different gingers, including one from the Ivory Coast that’s supposed to taste like lemongrass. It’s different, no doubt. But that difference might throw people off, especially if they’re expecting a traditional ginger ale. It’s memorable, but probably not for everyone.
4. Q Ginger Ale (#11)
Similar to Fever-Tree, Q Mixers produces higher-end cocktail mixers, and their ginger ale is obviously formulated with that in mind. It’s not as sweet as most, agave-sweetened rather than cane sugar or corn syrup. The can is a compact 7.5 ounces highlighting that this is intended to be a mixer.
It’s got a lot of botanicals such as rose oil, cardamom, and chili pepper, and a flavor profile that’s closer to exotic spice mixtures than just a soda. It’s tasty, particularly if you like Indian or Thai spices, but it doesn’t quite cut it in the traditional ginger ale niche.
5. Arizona’s Own Mesquite Ginger Ale (#10)
Here’s a wild card. Brewed by Big Head Brewing in Arizona, this one contains mesquite yes, the same wood usually found in barbecue smoking. The outcome is a rich molasses-like sweetness and a very smoky smell.
It’s more like “mesquite soda with a hint of ginger” than vice versa. If you want to try something completely new, this may be your thing. But it’s not a ginger ale you’d grab when you’re feeling nauseous or seeking something comforting.
6. Zevia Ginger Ale (#9)
Zevia uses stevia to make all their sodas, so this one is sugar-free and calorie-free. This one pour clear (no caramel color) and tastes like clean ginger. If you’ve grown up on old-fashioned ginger ale but need to reduce sugar, this might be an option.
That being said, the stevia taste is not easy to overlook. Some sips are too sweet; some are almost bland. It has a bit of bitterness stevia’s infamous for. It’s not bad, but the sweetener could be a deal-breaker for some.
7. Virgil’s Zero Ginger Ale (#8)
Virgil’s is another company that is aiming for that “natural soda” feel. Their ginger ale comes in only a zero-sugar type, and it’s one of the better stevia sodas available.
They employ erythritol to counteract the stevia, which rounds out the sweetness. Real pressed ginger root provides a fresh, robust ginger flavor but is still mellow enough that it’s not hard to drink. It’s clean, lightly grassy, and genuinely refreshing, even if diet sodas don’t usually float your boat.
8. Schweppes Ginger Ale (#7)
This is the ginger ale many of us grew up with. Schweppes has been around since the 1700s, so it’s got some serious history. It’s clean, simple, and consistent.
The highlight here is the carbonation tons of small bubbles that aren’t overwhelming your nose but still make every sip taste bright. The ginger is gentle, and there’s a hint of citrusy pucker from the citric acid. It’s not really complex, but it’s a safe, familiar bet.
9. Canada Dry Ginger Ale (#6)
Canada Dry takes the well-known Schweppes shape and adds a bit more of all things. A bit more ginger, a bit more sweetness, a more robust flavor. Still smooth to drink, still no burn, but with more personality.
Despite its name, it’s actually one of the sweeter sodas on this list. But it also has some floral notes that give it a bit more depth. If you’re doing a taste test, it edges out Schweppes—but it’s still very much a mainstream ginger ale.
10. Reed’s Real Ginger Ale (#5)
Reed’s is famous for its spicy ginger beer, and its ginger ale cuts with the same heat. It’s cloudy with real Peruvian ginger juice, and it has the scent of candied ginger.
Flavor-wise, it tips toward spicy perhaps too spicy for someone looking for a classic ginger ale. It’s not complicated, though. It’s not subtle. If you adore ginger and want it in the spotlight, Reed’s delivers. But it could be crossing the line between ginger ale and ginger beer for some consumers.
11. 365 by Whole Foods Market Ginger Ale (#4)
Surprise! This Whole Foods store-brand soda is actually quite good. It’s sweetened with real cane sugar, no artificial coloring, and under 50 cents a can.
Flavor-wise, it’s a winner. There’s a good strong ginger flavor, along with some caramel and vanilla in the background to complement it. The aroma is a bit snappy, almost as if it had some booze in it. It’s well-balanced, not too sugary, and a fine every day choice particularly at that price.
12. Seagram’s Ginger Ale (#3)
If Schweppes and Canada Dry had a drier, spicier relative, it would be Seagram’s. It is less sweet than both of them and possesses a slightly gingerer bite. The carbonation is sharp and the finish is clean, nearly champagne-like.
Of the household names, this was the spiciest and most complex-tasting. There is a touch of flower-like scent and a crisper citrus bite that counteracts the sweetness. If you’re on the hunt for a mass-produced ginger ale that packs more oomph, this is the best one to find.
13. Boylan Ginger Ale (#2)
Boylan produces their sodas in glass bottles and with cane sugar, and that alone puts them ahead. Their ginger ale is sweet and crisp and well-flavored.
We got light vanilla and caramel scents, along with a hint of citrus from lemon and lime essential oils. All of the notes blend nicely and complement the ginger, which has a presence but does not overwhelm. It’s sweet, yes, but not overly so. This one feels refined but also easy to drink.
14. Vernors Ginger Ale (#1)
And last but not least, the number one position belongs to Vernors a Detroit institution with a bold attitude. This is no ordinary ginger ale. It’s full of vanilla, a whiff of spice, and richer caramel flavors that impart a depth most other brands lack.
The bubbles are intense. Like, nose-tingling intense. And while the ginger isn’t as fiery as in something like Reed’s, it’s still strong enough to hold its own. There’s a complexity here that really sets it apart. It’s creamy, spicy, sweet, and balanced all at once.
Vernors may not be for everyone it’s definitely different but if you’re looking for a ginger ale with character and depth, this one’s a must-try.
Final Thoughts
Ginger ale is no longer just an afterthought soda. Depending on your mood, whether you’re looking for a sugar-free drinker, a little heat, or a smooth original, there’s more to choose from than you’d think. Hopefully, this list is helpful in introducing you to some new favorites. Let us know what you’d place at the top and what you’d skip.
