In a medium saucepan, combine the sliced ginger, sugar, and water.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure the sugar dissolves. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. This allows the ginger to infuse its spicy flavor into the syrup.
After 30 minutes, remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool slightly. Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve or a cheesecloth into a clean jar or bottle, discarding the ginger slices. You’ll be left with a fragrant, golden syrup.
Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, then close the jar tightly and store it in the refrigerator. The syrup should keep for about 2-3 weeks.
In a glass, add 1-2 tablespoons of your homemade ginger syrup (adjust to taste) and fill the glass with chilled carbonated water. Stir gently to combine. If you prefer a stronger ginger flavor, simply add more syrup. Add ice to your glass, and garnish with a lemon or lime wedge if desired. Enjoy your homemade ginger ale!