Ginger ale is a big hit around here. It's one of those products that I often buy, and until recently, never considered making some of my own. I know there are several versions of homemade ginger ale, many of which are fermented, but just like our small step into soap making, I wanted to start with something very simple. More chance of success that way, I think, plus I don't make a huge time/money investment into something that might just fall completely... flat.
Here's what I did:
- Peel & slice 2 cups of fresh ginger (about 1/4" - 1/8" thick)
- Put ginger into a pot with 2 cups of water & 2 cups of sugar
- Cook, without boiling, until syrupy (ours took about an hour and a half)
- Fish out all the bits of ginger with a slotted spoon, or strain syrup into another container, reserving the ginger.
- Coat reserved ginger with sugar, and put on a cookie sheet into a low (225 degrees here) oven for about 3 hours
At this point, you have two ginger treats, which makes my frugal, waste-hating heart very happy. Eat the candied ginger whenever you have an upset stomach, or feel like a gingery snack. (I'd like to try dipping it in melted chocolate, myself.) To use the syrup, pour about 1/4" into the bottom of a tall glass, and fill with tonic water. Stir & enjoy!
My crew finds the candied ginger a bit hot, although I'm quite enjoying it myself. Subsequent conversations with friends have suggested that I might substitute honey for sugar in the syrup, which I'd like to try next time. I'm not really a "wing it" kind of gal, and I tend to follow any recipe as exactly as I'm capable of doing the first time around (and often every time thereafter).
A bonus with this recipe (as if the candied ginger wasn't enough!) is that the house smells fabulous the day you prepare this!
I must try this! I love ginger.
Posted by: Sara | September 17, 2009 at 05:24 PM
TypePad HTML EmailYes, Sara, you should definitely give this a go! I'm not terribly skilled in the kitchen, but was very happy with the way this turned out. :o)
Charity
Posted by: Charity | September 17, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Mmm ginger how divine! I'm going to have to try this soon, thanks.
Posted by: Chelle | September 18, 2009 at 01:17 AM
yum, I love candied ginger!
I wonder how long the syrup lasts? do the kids like the drink?
Posted by: colleen | September 18, 2009 at 06:36 AM
TypePad HTML EmailThey do! I like to think they're drawn by the natural flavours, but really, I think they're just excited to drink "pop"! :o)
Charity
Posted by: Charity | September 18, 2009 at 07:04 AM
Can you freeze the syrup? Can it? Drink it all in one sitting? I think I'll try this. It sounds really good- both treats!
Posted by: Judy G. | September 18, 2009 at 07:46 AM
My dad used to make root beer, which was a long drawn-out tedious process, and left us all clamoring for A&W root beer. What ungrateful children we were.
Posted by: Judy G. | September 18, 2009 at 07:47 AM
Thanks for sharing. Umm, sounds perfect.
Posted by: Wanda J | September 19, 2009 at 08:02 PM
Fabulous! I'm going to link to this on my blog list of handmade gift ideas. Too good not to share!
Posted by: PrairiePoppins | September 20, 2009 at 06:20 AM
Oh I must make this - I keep buying expensive cordials and now feel really silly that I never thought to try this myself - there will be a gingery smell in our house this evening!
Posted by: Sarah | September 21, 2009 at 05:04 AM
How fun!
I am totally going to try this sometime.
hot ginger tea is one of my favorite things when I am getting a cold.
but I should try it for tummy trouble perhaps...
Posted by: Miss Scarlett | September 21, 2009 at 06:33 PM
I'm about to make my second batch. I wasn't so taken with the ginger ale, but the syrup is great when you mix it with commercial iced tea or lemonade.
Posted by: Judy G. | October 15, 2009 at 11:14 AM