How Much Sugar Is in Ginger Ale?
A can of ginger ale has about 33 g of added sugar — often reached for as a 'gentler' soda, but still deep in soda-level sugar territory.
in 1 can (12 fl oz) · about 7.9 teaspoons
- Per serving
- 33 g
- Per 100 g
- 9 g
- Type
- Added sugar
- In teaspoons
- ≈ 7.9 tsp
More sugar than most people should have in a whole day.
A can of ginger ale has about 33 g of added sugar — less than Fanta or Coca-Cola, but still firmly in soda-level territory, well above what most people picture when they reach for it as a 'milder' choice. It's frequently handed to kids or people with an upset stomach as if it's a gentler option; the sugar content says otherwise.
The actual ginger content in most mainstream ginger ales is minimal — a flavouring note, not a functional ingredient. If the appeal is the ginger itself, real ginger tea or ginger steeped in sparkling water delivers far more of it with none of the sugar.
How ginger ale compares
Out of 114 everyday foods and drinks we track, ginger ale ranks #11 for sugar per serving — more than 91% of them.
- Smoothie35g
- Gatorade34g
- Ginger ale (this page)33g
- Tonic water32g
- M&M's31g
Bars show sugar per serving. Tap any food to see its full breakdown.
Lower-sugar swaps
- Sparkling water with fresh grated ginger steeped in
- Unsweetened ginger tea, hot or over ice
Frequently asked questions
- Is ginger ale healthier than other sodas?
- Not meaningfully — at about 33 g of sugar per can it's still very high, just slightly below cola or orange soda.
- Does ginger ale actually contain much ginger?
- Most mainstream brands use it mainly as a flavouring note, not a significant amount of real ginger.
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Sugar values from Manufacturer nutrition label; actual amounts vary by brand, ripeness, and recipe. Last updated 2026-08-28.