Ginger Tonic

Ginger Ale, Ginger Brew, Ginger Beer, Ginger Tonic….are just different names for one drink.  A soothing, refreshing, healing and enjoyable drink.  Whether you are fighting a flu bug, or just needing a thirst quenching refreshment, you are going to love this Ginger Tonic.  This week I have been fighting a virus, and have had a strong case of Vertigo.  The severe dizziness has made me very sick to my stomach.  This little tonic has really helped to soothe my stomach; I have been sipping on it for days.  Ginger is wonderful for tummy upsets and the immune system.  Club soda settles the stomach and together they make a refreshing and soothing tummy tonic.  I have two versions for you; The 5 minute version which you can make in a pinch, and the 45 minute version which you can keep handy for several weeks.  My  preference is the 45 minute version; it has a fuller ginger bite to it, and is tastier,  but I have used and enjoyed both versions.

 Peel a large piece of  ginger; you can use a spoon to scrape the
skin off; it needs to be a nice fresh piece of ginger to do it this way.  Simply Recipes has some wonderful instructions for peeling and preparing ginger
 if you're interested in a few more details.  

 Grate the ginger; you will want about 3/4 of a cup of grated ginger.
Put the grated ginger and any left over chunks or fiber in a sauce pan with 3 cups of water and bring to a boil.  Turn off heat and allow mixture to steep until cooled down about 30 -45 minutes.

Strain liquid into a jar.

Once liquid is strained, be sure to squeeze  the ginger pulp to get all of the

 liquid completely out.  Add 3/4 of a cup of  honey.

Place lid onto the jar and shake contents until the honey is dissolved.

Add a squeeze and  slice of lemon or lime to your glass.

 Add ginger syrup and club soda or mineral water and ice.

The proportions for your tonic are as follows:

 1 part ginger syrup to 2 parts club soda.  If you like a stronger

ginger  flavor, add more syrup.

Enjoy!

Ginger Tonic

Ingredients:
3/4 cup fresh ginger peeled and shredded (1 large piece of ginger)
3 1/2  cups water
3/4 cup honey
Sparkling mineral water or Club Soda
Twist of lemon or lime

Make a ginger syrup as follows:

1. Grate fresh ginger and put into a sauce pan.
2. Add 3 1/2 cups of water and bring to a boil. 
3. When mixture comes to a boil, turn burner off and let steep for 30 minutes
4. Strain into a glass jar
5. Add honey and stir well. 
6. Store in refrigerator and use when needed.

For Ginger Tonic
Fill a glass with 1 part Ginger Syrup, 3 parts Club Soda or Mineral Water a squeeze and a slice of lemon or lime.  Stir well; add ice.





Five minute Ginger Tonic

This works in a pinch, when you need a little tummy soother right now, and don't have any ginger syrup made up, it isn't quite as strong of a tonic, but is nice none the less.  You will have bits of ginger floating in this one; which I don't mind at all.

Ingredients:
Club Soda or  Sparkling mineral water

1 tsps grated ginger root

Sweetener of choice to taste (1-2 tablespoons of sugar free syrup works great for a THM sugar free version:)
A squeeze and a slice of lemon or lime

Instructions:

1. Put 1-2 Tablespoons of sweetener of choice in a glass.
2. Add 1 tsp of grated ginger to the glass.
3. Add slice and a squeeze of lemon
4. Fill with club soda and ice.
5. Stir well, then allow ginger pieces to settle on the bottom.
6. Sip and refresh.