happy hour: homemade ginger ale

05_gingerale.jpg 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!
Filed under happy hour and make and read by Kelly. . 2 Comments
  1. dark and stormy recipe Says:

    August 2nd, 2008 at 10:28 pm

    [...] [...]

  2. eat make read » ginger float Says:

    August 11th, 2008 at 6:34 am

    [...] 1 pint vanilla ice cream 1/4 cup candied ginger, chopped homemade ginger ale [...]

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