I recently stumbled across this recipe for homemade ginger ale at Food For My Family. I'm not a big pop drinker, but I do like ginger ale. I also frequently steep and drink fresh ginger root and lemon juice for chronic stomach issues, so I thought this might be a good alternative. Plus it just sounded refreshing.
First, get a big ol' hunk of ginger root at the grocery store. You'll need enough to equal 3 cups. This piece only cost me about $2.00. Peel it, rinse it, and then chop it up.
Once you have your ginger root all chopped, you'll also want to carefully remove 1 tablespoon of lime peel from a fresh lime. It can be a little tricky, because you don't want to get any of the pith (the white part) or it will taste bitter. Add the lime peel and ginger root to 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil, turn down to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups of sugar and stir until dissolved. Simmer another 10 minutes.
Turn off the burner and let the syrup cool. Then, strain out the ginger chunks and lime peel, and pour the cooled syrup into an airtight container. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
To make a glass of ginger ale, pour 1/4 cup of the syrup over ice. Add 1 cup (or more, according to taste) of club soda. Stir gently and enjoy!
I really love this ginger ale - - it has quite a bite to it, but if you don't like it super-gingery, just add more club soda. I also think it would be great for mixing cocktails. Yum!
7 comments:
You have been away from Maine for too long! You called it pop! I might try this for Declan. He loves ginger ale.
Hahaha!! I thought the same exact going reading this...you beat me to the comment about saying "pop" ;)
But snarky comment aside I agree that ginger is super cheap to buy and I never considered making this. Thanks for the step by step instructions!
What can I say? I'm a western girl now. :) If you're hoping for Canada Dry when you make this, you might be disappointed, but it is very good. Has a true ginger taste to it. The boys and I are going to try our hand at homemade root beer later this week...
The Jamaicans I knew in culinary school made home made ginger ale. Absolute best cure for a soar throat but it can take your top off.
Oh this sounds so refreshing!
I thought the same thing about "pop" vs. "soda." :) My mother used to make root beer! I remember she'd make it in this huge garbage can (brand new, of course!) and I seem to remember she stored it in Grammy's cellar since we didn't have one. It was good, though a little too syrup-y for my taste. Still, what great memories!
Post a Comment