ginger-ale

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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, in 2008, golden ginger ale is an uncommon, and usually regional, drink. Vernors, 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's, Seamans, Schweppes, Sussex, Buffalo Rock, Boylan Bottling Company, Polar Beverages, Ale-8-One, Blenheim Ginger Ale, Foxon Park, Sprecher, Vally, Market Basket/Chelmsford, 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 Irish ginger beers. In 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, 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 throats. It contains high levels of sugar, which can cause an osmotic shift that can affect the bowels more than the desired effect of the ginger.

It is popular in mixed drinks, especially in non-alcoholic mixed drinks. It is sometimes used as a non-alcoholic substitute for 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 alcohol.

Dry ginger ale is also sold with a mint flavoring added. Popular brands of mint ginger ale include Tom Tucker Southern Style, and Cott (which no longer produces this flavor). Some mint ginger ale brands have an artificial green color added, while others are clear in color. Recently, Canada Dry has come out with a line of ginger ale mixed with green tea.

Some manufacturers have produced fruit-flavored ginger ales, including raspberry, cranberry and grape flavored versions of Schweppes.