Hey everyone and welcome back to another post! You better grab your gas mask for this recipe because this had me coughing up a storm. Today we are making a spicy recipe for ginger ale and it is not for the faint of heart. I know that this still isn’t really a baking recipe but I mean we are living in the strangest of times so I thought let’s change it up a bit? Or maybe just stay the same since I have posted drink recipes in the past. I honestly just find drink recipes super fun because they are so versatile and are usually pretty easy to make. I think we need more easy in our lives, don’t you think?? This is also a great project to do at home if you are going stir crazy!
If you don’t know much about me, know that I love ginger and I also love spicy food, so I decided to throw in some pepper to give this drink a bit of a kick. I am one of those weird people that will literally eat the pickled ginger that they give you at sushi restaurants by itself because I like it that much.
Items Used In This Recipe
If you are sick ( is anyone not sick at this point, let’s just be honest) or stuffed up at all you better believe this recipe will unclog all of your sinuses. I didn’t realize that the capsaicin from the pepper flakes would release so fervently and so quickly which had me sprinting to the balcony to get some fresh air, but man was it worth it! I did feel bad for my cats though because they probably thought the air was on fire.
I personally try to avoid drinking soda so when I want something bubbly and that actually tastes like something this definitely satisfies that craving. I love knowing exactly what is in my drinks because we all know that they put who knows what in pretty much all mass-market soda beverages. Have you seen that Youtube video where they boil down coke?? I’ll link it below if you haven’t because it’s honestly pretty nasty. It’s like your basically drinking tar which is not really my thing if ya know what I mean.
Have you ever wondered if Ginger is actually good for you? Here are a couple of reasons why I am obsessed with ginger!
Benefits of Ginger:
- Reduces Your Risk of Diabetes:
Studies have shown that certain compounds found in ginger help with the process of insulin and metabolism in a person that suffers from diabetes.
- It’s an Anti-inflammatory:
Ginger contains phytonutrients that may reduce cell damage which in turn prevents inflammation by reducing cell signaling.
- Helps to Prevent Heart Disease:
Regular ginger intake has shown to help with lowing cholesterol and blood sugar levels when consumed on a regular basis.
- Lowers Risk of Cancer:
Ginger may reduce cellular activity that causes DNA changes, cell death and proliferation of cancer cells. It also helps with sensitizing cells to treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
- Helps With Weight Loss:
Ginger has been proven to help with weight loss when consumed daily by promoting a healthier lifestyle! Source: Good Housekeeping
So to avoid drinking tar lets make this wonderful ginger ale recipe! You simply pour some of the ginger syrup into a glass, fill it with ice and top with sparkling water. A tasty and healthy alternative to the store-bought version with a kick with a heck of a lot less sugar. PS if you leave out the pepper flakes, I won’t judge. That stuff is powerful!
Ginger Ale
Equipment
- heavy bottom pot
- wooden spoon
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Measuring spoons and cups
- strainer
Ingredients
- 1 Large Knob of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped into small pieces
- 1 Tbsp. Pepper flakes, optional skip if you don't like spicy stuff
- 1 Bottle Sparkling water
- 2 Cup Sugar
- 2 Cup Water
- 1 Lime, zested and juiced you may also use lemon
Instructions
- Begin by prepping all ingredients. Place sugar and water into a heavy bottom pot and place over medium high heat. Once the simple syrup begins to boil and sugar crystals have dissolved add in ginger pieces, pepper flakes and and lime juice and zest. When infusing the lime zest into the simple syrup I took a paring knife and made strips out of the zest so I would be able to strain it out at the end.
- Allow this mixture to continue to boil at medium heat for another 5 to 10 minutes before removing from heat and allowing the mixture to continue steeping for the next hour or until cool. You can of course let the mixture steep even further to get a more intense ginger flavor. Strain the mixture and pour a quarter cup of the syrup nto a glass with ice and then top with sparkling water and a lime wedge! Enjoy this refreshing substitute to traditional soda!
Until next time, happy drinking!
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