Are you craving a cold can of ginger ale, but fear it may not be compatible with your vegan diet? Figuring out what products are and are not vegan-friendly can be tricky, even for those who have been vegan for many years. So many products that you would think would be vegan secretly contain animal ingredients. Is ginger ale one of those products?
Most brands of Ginger Ale are vegan-friendly. There are, however, some brands of ginger ale that may contain animal ingredients. If you are ever unsure, simply check the label before you purchase, or keep reading to find out exactly which brands are vegan-friendly. The best vegan and healthier alternative to Ginger Ale is Olipop Ginger Lemon.
In this article, we will discuss the non-vegan ingredients to look out for, the brands of ginger ale that are vegan-friendly, the brands of ginger ale that may or may not be vegan-friendly, as well as other vegan-friendly soda options. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Non-Vegan Soda Ingredients To Look Out For
When you are reading the label on the back of the soda can that you want to purchase, keep an eye out for these non-vegan soda ingredients:
- Ester Gum: this is a stabilizer made from glycerol (a sweetener). It is commonly used in orange sodas, as well as some gum bases. While glycerol can be made in a lab, most companies usually use glycerol derived from animals. So, if you see ester gum or anything related to glycerol listed in the ingredients, it is likely not vegan.
- Cochineal: this is a red food dye obtained from bugs. Some vegans have different opinions on whether or not insects are vegan, but most would agree that they are not.
- Vitamin D3: Vitamin D3 is often derived by oil from sheep’s wool. Therefore, it is not vegan. This is a pretty rare ingredient to find in soda, though. It is more common in energy drinks.
- Honey: this is another rare soda ingredient. However, it comes from bees making it not vegan-friendly.
Soda Ingredients that May or May Not Be Vegan
Sometimes it is not always so cut-and-dry when it comes to what products are vegan and what products are not. Some things have some varieties that are vegan, but also have some varieties that are not. For example:
- Natural Flavors: the problem with natural flavors is that they can be derived from both plant-based and animal-based ingredients. The good news is, when it comes to soda ingredients, it is safe to assume that they are not derived from animal products.
- Caramel Color: caramel color is a common ingredient found in soda that is created by heating carbohydrates. Usually, all caramel colors are considered vegan. However, if you follow a strict vegan diet, the refined sugar (more so the refining process) could make you consider caramel color to be a non-vegan ingredient.
Popular Brands Of Ginger Ale
When you go into a grocery store looking for a case of ginger ale, these are the brands you are most likely to see:
Canada Dry
For over 100 years, Canada Dry has been known for its ginger ale, though the company also manufactures many other soft drinks.
Canada Dry ginger ale is vegan.
Ingredients:
- Carbonated water
- High fructose corn syrup
- Citric acid
- Sodium benzoate
- Natural flavors
- Caramel colors
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 140
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Total carbs: 36g
- Sugar: 35g
- Protein: 0g
Schweppes
This brand began in 1783 by Jacob Schweppe, who created Schweppes Tonic Water, the world’s original soft drink.
Schweppes ginger ale does not have any products derived from animals, so it is vegan-friendly.
Ingredients:
- Carbonated water
- High fructose corn syrup
- Citric acid
- Sodium benzoate
- Natural flavors
- Caramel colors
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 120
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Total carbs: 33g
- Sugar: 33g
- Protein: 0g
Seagram’s
Seagram’s ginger ale is made with real ginger giving it a crisp, clean and refreshing taste.
Seagram’s ginger ale is vegan.
Ingredients:
- Carbonated water
- High fructose corn syrup
- Natural flavors
- Potassium sorbate
- Caramel color
- Sodium benzoate
- Ginger
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 130
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Total carbs: 33g
- Sugar: 33g
- Protein: 0g
White Rock
White Rock uses only the finest ingredients including real ginger for its ginger ale. It also has no high fructose corn syrup like many other soda brands.
While this brand is mainly used in hospitals, hotels, and numerous foodservice and specialty establishments, it is becoming increasingly popular in chain supermarkets. It can, however, contain products derived from animals, so if you follow a vegan diet you may want to avoid this one.
Ingredients:
- Purified carbonated water
- Pure cane sugar
- Citric acid
- Natural Flavor
- Sodium Benzoate
- Caramel color
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 100
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Total carbs: 26g
- Sugar: 26g
- Protein: 0g
Fever-Tree
This brand uses a unique blend of three of the world’s finest naturally sourced gingers, subtle botanical flavors, and spring water to create a delicious ginger ale that has an authentic, refreshing taste and aroma.
Fever-Tree ginger ale is vegan-friendly.
Ingredients:
- Carbonated spring water
- Sugar
- Citric acid
- Natural ginger flavoring with other natural flavors
- Caramel
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 50
- Total carbs: 13g
- Sugar: 11g
- Total fat: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Healthier Brands Of Ginger Ale
So now you know some of the most popular brands of ginger ale. However, nearly all of them contain at least one of the ingredients that could or could not be considered vegan depending upon how strict you are with your diet.
To save you the trouble of having to sit through a tedious phone call to the distributer or hours of research to determine whether or not you consider those questionable ingredients to be vegan, I found a few brands that are 100% vegan and do not contain any of the questionable ingredients we discussed.
Zevia Ginger Ale
This brand is a better-for-you alternative to conventional ginger ale.
It is naturally sweetened with plant-derived stevia leaf extract and available in 15 delicious flavors.
Ingredients:
- Carbonated water
- Citric acid
- Stevia leaf extract
- Natural flavors (plant-based)
- Ginger extract
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 0
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Q Mixers Ginger Ale
Made with organic agave and real ginger, this brand features a clean and crisp flavor with a gingery bite.
Ingredients:
- Carbonated water
- Organic agave
- Citric acid
- Ginger extract
- Extracts of coriander, cardamom, chili pepper, orange and rose oil
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 60
- Total fat: 0
- Sodium: 15mg
- Total carbs: 15g
- Sugar: 14g
- Protein: 0g
Cason Ginger Ale
This light, clean and refreshing ginger beverage is not only vegan, but also gluten-free, caffeine free, soy free, kosher, keto and paleo.
Ingredients:
- Decaf green tea
- Potassium
- Milk thistle
- Dandelion root
- Ginger root
- Prickly pear
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 10
- Sugar: 0g
- Net carbs: 0g
Virgil’s Zero Sugar Ginger Ale
This light and refreshing ginger ale is loaded with real, fresh ginger for an extra kick without any extra calories. The best part is that it is vegan!
Ingredients:
- Sparkling filtered water
- Sweetener blend (erythritol, stevia leaf extract, monk fruit extract)
- Natural flavors
- Caramel color
- Citric acid
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 0
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total carbs: 12g
- Total sugar: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Vegan-Friendly Soda Alternatives
If ginger ale is not your favorite, but you are craving a soda, there are plenty of options for you to choose from.
In fact, some of the most poplar sodas are vegan including:
Olipop Ginger Lemon
This sweet and tart soda combines Caribbean and European mulling spices to create a complex, yet perfectly balanced flavor.
Ingredients:
- Carbonated water
- OLISMART (cassava root fiber, chicory root inulin, Jerusalem artichoke inulin, nopal cactus, calendula flower, kudzu root, marshmallow root, slippery elm bark)
- Ginger juice
- Lemon juice
- Cassava root syrup
- Apple juice concentrate
- Ginger
- Himalayan pink salt
- Stevia leaf
- Organic natural mulling spice flavor
- Cinnamon
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 35
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Total carbs: 16g
- Total sugars: 2g
- Protein: 0g
Olipop Classic Root Beer
This botanically driven Root Beer combines a classic bite with a creamy sweetness with extracts of sweet birch, smooth vanilla bean, and naturally sourced burdock root.
Pair this with your favorite ice cream for an all-around decadent treat.
Ingredients:
- Carbonated water
- OLISMART (cassava root fiber, chicory root inulin, Jerusalem artichoke inulin, nopal cactus, calendula flower, kudzu root, marshmallow root, slippery elm bark)
- Cassava root syrup
- Apple juice concentrate
- Organic natural Root Beer flavor
- Lemon juice
- Burdock root
- Himalayan pink salt
- Stevia leaf
- Natural vanilla flavor
- Sweet birch
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 35
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 25g
- Total carbs: 16g
- Protein: 0g
- Total sugars: 2g
Dr. Zevia
This vegan-friendly brand is sure to quench your thirst with its bold and unique taste.
Ingredients:
- Carbonated water
- Stevia leaf extract
- Natural flavors
- Citric acid
- Tartaric acid
- Caffeine
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 0
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total carbs: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Caffeine: 42mg
Zevia Mountain
Awaken your taste buds with the bold citrus flavor featured in this vegan-friendly drink.
Ingredients:
- Carbonated water
- Stevia leaf extract
- Natural flavors
- Citric acid
- Caffeine
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 0
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total carbs: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Caffeine: 55mg
Spindrift Pineapple
This deliciously refreshing brand is like a tropical vacation for your taste buds.
This brand is not only vegan, but also gluten-free and Whole30-approved.
Ingredients:
- Carbonated water
- Pineapple juice
- Citric acid
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 13
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbs: 3g
- Total sugars: 3g
- Protein: 0g
Final Thoughts
While the majority of ginger ale brands are considered to be vegan-friendly, there are some brands on the market that you may consider to be non-vegan if you are stricter with your diet.
However, if you do not like ginger ale or if it is too uncertain for your liking, there are plenty of other soda alternatives for you to choose from that are vegan-friendly.
Related Questions
Is Ginger Ale Gluten-Free?
Most ginger ales are gluten free. Canada Dry is a gluten-free brand and there is little to no risk of cross contamination.
Is Ginger Ale Keto-Friendly?
Most diet sodas are keto-friendly in moderation, as they are low in calories and carbs.