Article: 10 Ways to Use Hakanoa Ginger Syrup
10 Ways to Use Hakanoa Ginger Syrup
Wondering what to do with our ginger syrup? There’s plenty of possibility beyond your favourite ginger drink. From a warming latte to a bright salad dressing, a bottle can bring a little ginger warmth to everyday food and drinks.
Hakanoa Ginger Syrup is made with mature-harvest Fiji ginger grown especially for Hakanoa by the Navurevure farming community south of Suva. The pulped whole ginger is slowly simmered with organic fair-trade raw sugar and water, steeped, then filtered to create a smooth, rich syrup with deep warmth.
We describe the flavour as “liquid gingerbread”: rich, warming and full of ginger character. It’s equally at home in frothy milk, sparkling water, creamy desserts and savoury cooking.
“I want a bottle of ginger syrup to earn its place in your kitchen. Drinks are just the beginning. That same ginger warmth works beautifully with creamy desserts, sharp citrus and savoury flavours.” — Rebekah, owner of Hakanoa Handmade
Here are ten ways to put your bottle to work. The quantities below are starting points, so add a little, taste, and adjust to suit you.
1. Make a ginger latte
For a warming twist on your usual coffee, stir 2 - 3 teaspoons of ginger syrup into a shot of espresso, then top with about 150–200 ml of steamed milk or your favourite plant-based alternative.
The ginger brings a spicy sweetness to the coffee. Start with the smaller amount, especially if you usually drink your coffee unsweetened. A light dusting of cinnamon makes a lovely finishing touch.
For an iced ginger latte, stir the syrup into the espresso first, then pour over ice and add cold milk. Mixing the syrup with the coffee before adding ice helps distribute the flavour.
“Start with a little, then taste. You’re looking for the ginger to sit alongside the coffee, not hide it. And if you don’t feel like coffee, warm milk and ginger syrup make a lovely drink on their own.” — Rebekah
2. Mix a sparkling ginger soda
A homemade ginger soda is one of the simplest ways to enjoy ginger syrup. Fill a glass with ice, add one tablespoon of syrup, then top with around 200 ml of sparkling water. Stir gently and adjust to taste.
Add a squeeze of lime or lemon for a bright finish. Fresh mint is lovely too: give the leaves a gentle clap between your hands before adding them to the glass to release their aroma.
Making drinks for friends? Mix the syrup and citrus in a jug first, then add chilled sparkling water just before serving to keep the fizz.
For a specific combination to try next, you’ll find Ginger Fizz with Lime & Mint in our mocktail recipes.
3. Drizzle it over vanilla ice cream
Vanilla ice cream and ginger are a very good match. Spoon a tablespoon or two of ginger syrup over a scoop, then taste before adding more. The contrast between cold, creamy ice cream and warming ginger is magical.
For extra crunch, add crumbled ginger biscuits or toasted walnuts. Warm stewed apples or pears turn it into something more substantial without much extra effort.
If you’re making dessert for a gathering, try our Apple Tart Tatin with Ginger Caramel or Rhubarb & Ginger Crumble, with vanilla ice cream alongside.
4. Give your cocktail a ginger twist
Ginger syrup brings sweetness and spice to a cocktail. It pairs well with whisky and lemon, rum and lime, or gin and soda.
To experiment, start with a small amount of syrup in a drink you already enjoy. Add citrus for brightness, then taste before adding more sweetness. Using syrup lets you adjust the ginger flavour separately from the amount of sparkling mixer.
For an alcohol-free option, combine ginger syrup, lime juice, soda water and plenty of ice. Fresh mint or a ribbon of cucumber makes a simple finishing touch.
Our mocktail collection includes a Ginger Fizz with Lime & Mint made with Hakanoa Ginger Syrup.
5. Stir up a marinade
Ginger syrup isn’t just for sweet things. It can bring a sweet, gingery note to a marinade for tofu, chicken or vegetables, particularly when balanced with salty and acidic ingredients.
As a starting point, mix one tablespoon of ginger syrup with two tablespoons of soy sauce, one tablespoon of lime juice and a little crushed garlic. Coat your ingredients before cooking, keeping raw meat refrigerated while it marinates.
The sugars can brown quickly over high heat, so watch carefully while cooking. If you want extra sauce for serving, set some aside before the marinade touches raw meat.
For a full savoury recipe, try our Sticky Pork Spare Ribs, finished with a glossy, tangy sauce built around Hakanoa Ginger Syrup.
6. Shake up a salad dressing
A little ginger syrup can balance the sharpness of vinegar or citrus in a dressing. It’s especially good with crunchy vegetables, noodles and fresh herbs.
Shake together one tablespoon of sesame oil, two tablespoons of ginger syrup, and three tablespoons of lime juice, with 1/2 tsp salt. Taste before adding more salt or other seasonings. If it tastes too sharp, add a little more oil; if it needs brightness, add a little more lime.
“Think beyond sweetness. Pair ginger syrup with lime or vinegar, then add something savoury. That balance is what makes a dressing interesting.” — Rebekah
For meal ideas, explore our Hakanoa Noodle Salad and Hakanoa Summer Slaw, which pair crunchy ingredients with ginger-based dressings.
Or try our Avocado Rice Paper Rolls with a Ginger Dipping Sauce for another way to use ginger syrup in a fresh, savoury dish.
7. Bring ginger flavour into your baking
Ginger syrup can add flavour as a finishing touch or become part of a recipe developed for it. Brush a little over a warm loaf cake, stir it into an icing, or drizzle it over muffins just before serving.
Apple, pear, lemon, oats and nuts are all good flavours to explore alongside ginger. For a baking project that already uses Hakanoa Ginger Syrup, start with our Gingerzacs, a crisp cross between ginger snaps and Anzac biscuits.
“If you’re new to baking with ginger syrup, start with a recipe written for it. A liquid syrup behaves differently from dry sugar, so a straight swap won’t always give you the result you want.” — Rebekah
For a different kind of baking, our Rhubarb & Ginger Pavlova uses ginger syrup in the pavlova mixture and whipped cream, balanced by tangy rhubarb.
8. Make a hot ginger toddy
For a warming evening drink, add 2 tablespoons of ginger syrup and a squeeze of lemon to a mug, then top with around 220 ml of hot water. Stir and adjust to taste.
Add a slice of fresh lemon or a cinnamon stick if you like. A small measure of whisky is optional; the ginger and citrus combination is equally enjoyable without alcohol.
For a softer, creamier drink, replace the water with warm milk and leave out the lemon. The milk softens the heat from the ginger. It’s a simple alternative when you want something warming without coffee or tea.
9. Swirl it into your porridge
Give your morning oats a change of scene with a little ginger syrup stirred through just before serving. Start with one teaspoon per bowl, especially if your toppings are already sweet.
Top with sliced banana, stewed apple or pear, then add seeds or toasted nuts for crunch. A spoonful of plain yoghurt brings a cool contrast to the warm oats and ginger.
Prefer overnight oats? Stir a little syrup into the oat mixture before chilling, then taste again in the morning before adding more.
10. Add it to your tea
Stir ginger syrup into black tea for a sweet, warming twist, or try it with a lemon infusion. Start with one teaspoon per cup and increase to your preferred flavour.
Because the syrup adds sweetness as well as ginger, taste before adding your usual sugar or honey.
For an iced version, brew your tea, stir in the syrup while it’s warm, then let it cool. Pour over ice and add fresh citrus. Make the tea a little stronger than usual if you’re using plenty of ice, as it will dilute as the ice melts.
Common questions about using ginger syrup
How much ginger syrup should I use?
Start small and adjust. A teaspoon is a useful starting point for a cup of tea, a tablespoon for coffee or a bowl of porridge. For a larger sparkling drink, try 2 tablespoons first. Your preferred amount will depend on the size of the serving and how sweet or gingery you like it.
Can I use ginger syrup in hot and cold drinks?
Yes. Stir it into hot drinks, or mix it with sparkling water and ice. For iced coffee or tea, combining the syrup with the warm coffee or tea first helps distribute it before you add cold milk or ice.
Can ginger syrup replace sugar in baking?
Not as a straightforward one-for-one swap. Syrup adds liquid as well as sweetness, which can change a bake’s texture. Start with a recipe designed for syrup, such as our Gingerzacs, or use it as a drizzle, glaze or as an icing flavour instead. Ginger Syrup in the icing for your ginger crunch will elevate it to new heights of yum.
What flavours go well with ginger syrup?
For sweet dishes, try vanilla, apple, pear, rhubarb or lemon. In savoury food, explore lime, soy sauce, garlic, chilli and sesame. The key is balance: pair the syrup’s sweetness with something sharp, salty or creamy.
Is ginger syrup the same as ginger beer?
No. Hakanoa Ginger Syrup is a concentrate you add to other ingredients. Mixing it with sparkling water makes a ginger soda, but that isn’t the same product as our fermented ginger beer.
One bottle, plenty of possibilities
If you’re wondering what to make first, start with sparkling ginger soda for something refreshing, a ginger latte for your coffee break, or a drizzle over vanilla ice cream for the easiest dessert.
Then explore the savoury side with a dressing, dipping sauce or sticky glaze. You don’t need a complicated recipe to start discovering where ginger works in your kitchen.
Explore Hakanoa Ginger Syrup and choose your first way to use it.
