As the old adage goes, ‘Variety is the spice of life,’ and nothing could be truer when it comes to the world of ginger ales. You’ve got your hands on a list of 13 ginger ales, ranked from worst to best, each one unique in its own right.
From the craft brews to the popular brands, we’ve sipped and sampled to give you a comprehensive rundown of what’s worth your time and what’s just fizz.
Which ginger ale reigns supreme and which one falls flat? Stick around, because the results may surprise you.
Key Takeaways
- Sprecher’s Ginger Ale stands out with its complex flavor profile dominated by herbal character and bitter piney taste.
- Premium ginger ales like Fever-Tree and Q Ginger Ale offer unique and intricate flavor profiles, with Fever-Tree being praised for its savory aroma.
- Health-conscious consumers may prefer zero-sugar options like Zevia Ginger Ale and Virgil’s Zero Ginger Ale, which cater to dietary preferences and use natural ingredients.
- Canada Dry Ginger Ale is a reliable and classic choice with a refreshing taste, making it a popular option among ginger ales.
13th Place: Sprecher’s Ginger Ale
If you’re seeking a ginger ale with a unique twist, you’ll find Sprecher’s Ginger Ale, a craft soda hailing from Milwaukee, delivers a complex flavor profile dominated by a pronounced herbal character and a bitter piney taste, thanks to its fire-brewing process with raw Wisconsin honey.
In our ’13 Ginger Ales Ranked from Worst to Best’ list, Sprecher’s holds its own, offering a distinctively robust flavor that sets it apart.
12th Place: Zia Ginger Ale
You’re in for a treat with Zia Ginger Ale, a craft beverage from New Mexico that brings a sweet yet smoky savoriness to the table, giving a nod to a chile-infused craft cocktail with ginger taking a backseat role.
This unique flavor propels it up the ranks in the ginger ales ranked from worst to best. Among ginger ale brands, Zia offers an unconventional yet memorable experience.
Fever-Tree: The 11th Spot
Stepping into the 11th spot, Fever-Tree offers a premium ginger ale that’s a cut above the rest. Known for its top-quality mixers, Fever-Tree emerges as a standout among Ale Brands Ranked Worst. It is characterized by a savory aroma that’s reminiscent of freshly-mowed hay. With its unique taste, Fever-Tree becomes a top choice for the best ginger ale.
Q Ginger Ale at 10th Place
As we climb the ranking, coming in at 10th place is Q Ginger Ale, a superior cocktail mixer that brings a unique blend of agave sweetness and spiciness from coriander and cardamom.
Offering an intricate flavor profile reminiscent of exotic Indian or Thai cuisine, it’s a standout on the list of ginger ale brands ranked.
Q Ginger Ale has a spicy yet balanced taste that sets it apart.
Arizonas Own Mesquite Ginger Ale: 9th Position
Breaking into the top nine, Arizona’s Own Mesquite Ginger Ale, a creation of Tempe’s Big Head Brewing Company, offers a unique twist by incorporating mesquite as an unexpected ingredient.
In this ginger ales ranked from worst to best, it stands proudly in the 9th position.
This ginger ale’s smoky, molasses-like sweetness masks the classic ginger flavor, making it a daring choice for those seeking to venture beyond traditional ginger ale flavors.
Zevia Ginger Ale: Ranked 8th
On the eighth spot, you’ll find Zevia Ginger Ale, an intriguing choice with its zero-sugar profile sweetened by stevia leaf extract. You might notice a slightly bitter aftertaste, a unique characteristic due to the stevia.
It’s worth comparing it to its competitors, especially if you’re seeking a ginger ale that caters to dietary preferences such as gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and non-GMO.
Zevia Ginger Ale Taste
Diving into the taste profile of Zevia Ginger Ale, you’ll encounter a unique, clean ginger flavor. This flavor is accentuated by a distinctive bitter aftertaste, which is due to the use of stevia as a sweetener. While this sets Zevia Ginger Ale apart in the realm of soda flavors, some may find the sweetener taste overpowering. Despite its unique flavor profile, Zevia’s place in soft drinks is contentious.
Nutritional Content Analysis
While the unique flavor profile of Zevia Ginger Ale may be polarizing, its nutritional content is undeniably geared towards health-conscious consumers.
As it stands out among popular ginger ale brands, this zero-sugar, zero-calorie alternative offers clear health benefits.
Our nutritional content analysis reveals no artificial sweeteners or preservatives, placing it among healthier brands of ginger ale, despite the bitter stevia aftertaste it leaves.
Comparing With Competitors
If you’re eyeing Zevia’s Ginger Ale as a healthier option, it’s crucial to note that its zero-sugar sweetness, derived from stevia leaf extract, significantly overpowers the natural ginger flavor, potentially diminishing your overall taste experience.
Compared to competitors like Canada Dry Ginger, Schweppes Ginger, Reeds ginger ale, and Vernors ginger ale, Zevia’s overpowering sweetness and less pronounced ginger flavor may leave you underwhelmed.
Virgil’s Zero Ginger Ale: Lucky 7
As a craft soda enthusiast, you’ll appreciate Virgil’s Zero Ginger Ale: Lucky 7 for its smooth, balanced flavor and zero-sugar formula, crafted with natural ingredients that offer a refreshing ginger taste without any artificial sweeteners or preservatives.
In our ginger ales ranking, it’s the best for:
- Zero-sugar ginger ales
- Balanced flavor profiles
- Natural ingredient use
It’s a top choice in the Lucky 7 category.
Schweppes Ginger Ale: Sixth Place
Moving on from the zero-sugar appeal of Virgil’s, the sixth place in our ginger ales ranked from worst to best goes to Schweppes Ginger Ale.
This well-established brand, known for its balanced ginger flavor and hint of citrusy sourness, boasts fine bubbles that make each sip a refreshing experience.
This article section gives Schweppes its due credit, placing it solidly in the middle of our rankings.
5th Position: Canada Dry Ginger Ale
Next up in our rankings, we’ve got the ever-popular Canada Dry Ginger Ale. Taking the 13th position, it’s a classic choice with a crisp taste that’s often used in cocktails. Here’s why we ranked it so:
- Widely available, it’s a go-to for many.
- Its refreshing taste sets it apart among ginger ales.
- Perfectly balanced flavor, neither too sweet nor too spicy, it’s a reliable 13 on our scale.
Reeds Real Ginger Ale: The 4th Spot
Switching gears from Canada Dry, let’s take a sip of Reeds Real Ginger Ale. It has claimed the 4th spot in our ‘ginger ales ranked from worst to best’ list with its potent and unadulterated ginger flavor.
This ginger ale’s robustness, with a distinct cloudiness due to genuine ginger juice, might be too spicy for some. Nevertheless, its candied ginger aroma and sweetened fresh ginger taste are undeniably captivating.
3rd Place: 365 by Whole Foods Market+
Let’s unpack the third place contender, 365 by Whole Foods Market.
You’ll find this ginger ale offers a complex flavor profile, balancing a robust ginger punch with subtle notes of caramel and vanilla, all sweetened with real cane sugar.
Compare its price point and health benefits with other brands and you’ll understand why it enjoys a higher ranking.
Flavor Profile Analysis
Diving into the flavor profile of 365 by Whole Foods Market Ginger Ale, you’ll find an unexpectedly robust mix of strong ginger, caramel, and vanilla notes that sets it apart from other store-brand offerings.
- A pronounced ginger taste is the star of the show.
- Caramel and vanilla notes add depth and complexity.
- Remarkably, it still maintains a clean, crisp finish.
This ginger ale is surely a dark horse in our ’13 ginger ales ranked from worst to best’ flavor profile analysis.
Price Value Comparison
Despite being a store-brand option, 365 by Whole Foods Market Ginger Ale packs a punch with its strong ginger flavor, crisp finish, and affordability, making it a standout in our price value comparison and landing it in a well-deserved third place.
You’re getting real value here, which is why it’s placed so high in our ranking of 13 ginger ales, as we’ve compared soda brands from worst to best.
Health Benefits Overview
Unearthing the health benefits of 365 by Whole Foods Market Ginger Ale, you’ll find its strong ginger presence not only contributes to its unique flavor but also introduces several potential wellness advantages.
The ginger ale contains:
- Fresh ginger, known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Multiple types of ginger, enhancing its health-boosting potential.
- Ginger root, often used for digestive issues.
This health benefits overview may encourage you to try this affordable, flavorful option.
Runner Up: Seagram’s Ginger Ale
Coming in as a close second, you’ll find that Seagram’s Ginger Ale, with its smooth, light flavor and balanced sweetness, makes it not only perfect for sipping solo, but also a great companion in your favorite cocktails.
In the world of ginger ales ranked, it’s the runner up, offering a less syrupy texture than others. From worst to best, it’s a top-notch cocktail mixer, maintaining a pleasant, complex flavor profile.
The Best Ginger Ale: Vernors Ginger Ale
When it comes to ginger ales, Vernors Ginger Ale takes the crown. Its origin story is as rich as its flavor, marked by robust ginger, vanilla, and spice notes.
This isn’t your average ginger ale; it’s a unique experience that tantalizes your taste buds with its complex profile and has potential health benefits to explore.
Vernors Ginger Ale Origins
Diving into the rich history of Vernors Ginger Ale, you’ll find it originated in Detroit in the 1800s, crafted by pharmacist James Vernor. It’s this long-standing legacy that contributes to its bold, robust flavor and distinctive golden color. Vernors also has a reputation as the best ginger ale, according to the Detroit Historical Society.
These factors, according to the Detroit Historical Society, are why Vernors holds a special place in the ginger ale origins story.
Unique Flavor Profile
You’ll notice a remarkable difference with Vernors Ginger Ale; it greets your taste buds with an unmistakable blend of bold vanilla and spice notes that sets it apart from other ginger ales.
In the ginger ales ranked from worst to best, Vernors’ unique flavor profile stands out due to its high-quality ginger extract and natural flavors, evident in its ingredient list.
Health Benefits Explored
Having savored the unique fusion of vanilla and spice notes that Vernors Ginger Ale offers, let’s now examine the potential health benefits this top-ranked ginger ale might bring to your table.
- Ginger: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Zero sugar ginger ale: A healthier alternative to regular sodas.
- Dry ginger ale: A refreshing beverage that can help alleviate digestive discomforts.
These health benefits explored make ginger ale not only a tasty but also a beneficial choice.
Conclusion
You might be surprised to learn that Vernors, a 150-year-old brand, takes the crown as the best ginger ale. Despite stiff competition from modern, craft, and premium brands, this classic triumphs with its bold flavor and fizz.
On the other end, Sprecher’s and Zia didn’t quite cut the mustard.
Whether you’re a ginger ale aficionado or a casual sipper, this ranking gives you a new perspective on this beloved bubbly beverage.
Cheers to the world of ginger ale!