eat make read

This week’s happy hour is super happy because we’re going to pick up our lovely pup, Maude. Yay! Since we’ll be driving, this week’s beverage is non-alcoholic, but still tasty; and quite frankly, there’s nothing stopping you from adding a splash of rum to make it a dark & stormy. I saw this recipe for homemade ginger ale in the magazine Imbibe and thought it would be a nice treat. Making my own soda pop makes me giggle a little, because it seems like kind of a wacky thing to do but whatever… the recipe is pretty simple so I decided what the heck.

All it takes is some ginger, sugar, water and a little free time. Once you let it simmer on the stovetop for awhile it will become a syrup that you combine with some club soda or seltzer water. The result is sooo good! It’s got a really clean taste, if that makes any sense. It’s got a great spice cut by a little sweetness and bubbly fizz. It’s by far the best ginger ale/beer I’ve ever had. I’m not joking, you should definitely try this at home.

Homemade Ginger Ale
from Imbibe 

2 cups unpeeled, washed, fresh ginger, roughly chopped
2 cups sugar
6 cups water
8 cups club soda or sparkling water, chilled

1
Process ginger chunks in forrd processor or blender until finely chopped. Place in a large stock pot.
2
Add sugar and water and stir. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer of medium-low heat and cook for about an hour until a rich syrup is created.
3
Strain the syrup twice through cheese cloth or sieve into a large jar or pitcher. Set aside to cool.
4
Fill a glass with ice. Add 1/3 cup of ginger syrup and top it off with club soda or sparkling water. Add a squeeze of lime if you’d like. So good!