Love ginger? Then you'll really love this homemade ginger ale made from fresh ginger syrup and club soda.
I don't drink a lot of soda -- although I'm from the Midwest and I think I'm supposed to call it 'pop'? I dunno, I always just asked for a drink by its brand name. However, I always get something sparkly to drink when I'm on a plane, and my typical go-to is ginger ale. (Although a fellow passenger once called me out on my "old lady" drink choice. Whatever.)
D is a bit of a ginger-ale aficionado and given his Michigan roots is a die-hard Vernor's fan. In fact, one time when we drove to Michigan for a visit with his family, we filled the backseat of our car with case upon case of Vernor's to bring back with us to Philadelphia. (Vernor's is way less exotic and easily purchased here in Wisconsin.)
I recently got a hankering for some ginger ale, but figured I could probably make some of my own, and skip all the preservatives and other junk found in the canned stuff.
Step one to making ginger ale is making ginger syrup. And all that takes is some fresh ginger root, water, and sugar. You can opt to peel the ginger or skip that step. If you do peel the ginger, you can reserve the ginger slices after the mixture has steeped and let dry on a wire rack. Voila -- sweet ginger candy! (Oh, so good!) But, if you'd rather save time, you can just leave the peel on.
Ginger Syrup
makes one cup
1 cup sliced (1/4-inch thick) ginger
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup filtered water
1. In a medium sauce pot, bring the ginger, sugar, and water mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes.
2. Remove the pot from the heat and let cool. Pour the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the ginger solids. Store the ginger syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The syrup should keep for at least two weeks.
makes one cup
1 cup sliced (1/4-inch thick) ginger
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup filtered water
1. In a medium sauce pot, bring the ginger, sugar, and water mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes.
2. Remove the pot from the heat and let cool. Pour the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the ginger solids. Store the ginger syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The syrup should keep for at least two weeks.
A glass of ginger ale just calls for some ginger syrup and club soda. I like to add in a bit of fresh lime juice for additional flavor, and you can't go wrong with a lime wheel garnish.
Ginger Ale
makes one serving
1 ounce ginger syrup
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
club soda
lime wheel, for garnish
1. Add the ginger syrup and fresh lime juice to a rocks glass. Stir to combine.
2. Fill the glass with ice, then top with club soda. Garnish with a lime wheel and serve.
makes one serving
1 ounce ginger syrup
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
club soda
lime wheel, for garnish
1. Add the ginger syrup and fresh lime juice to a rocks glass. Stir to combine.
2. Fill the glass with ice, then top with club soda. Garnish with a lime wheel and serve.
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