Friday, February 28, 2014

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.

11 comments:

  1. I am sorry you still haven't fully recovered :(

    I just love this recipe though Mom! What a great idea! It looks and sounds delicious! Especially when you don't feel very good. I.LOVE.YOU.

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  2. Oh this looks so refreshing Mom! I wish I could pour me some right now! I love your 2 syrup recipes. I can't wait to try them!

    I hope your virus is gone now and you have recovered.

    LOVE YOU
    ~ Marie

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  3. Hi Pam, thank you so much for this recipe and for the detailed instructions. I am definitely going to try making this. We have been struggling with this virus as well. We are finally getting to a place where we are having more good days than bad. Both my husband and I would feel a little better and get up and try to get busy and then we would be down with it right from the beginning again 3 days later. Nothing we tried seemed to help, but it feels like it has finally run it's course. I hope that you have a lovely and restful weekend and thanks again for the recipe! With Love, Delisa :)

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  4. Yum. That actually looks like something I'd want to drink even if I wasn't sick! :)

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  5. Sorry you haven't been feeling so well. This looks so refreshing even although I told you before about my association between ginger and morning sickness!

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  6. Sorry you have not been feeling well Pam...I hope you are all better soon! What a lovely tutorial...your photos are always so pretty. I had never thought about making ginger syrup to use as a tonic...hmmmm....you've given me something to consider doing. I am sure it would have helped with my family's recent bout with the tummy flu. Many Blessings to you! Get well soon!! Hugs, Camille

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  7. Oh my, this sounds so good. Nice and crisp is sometimes just what the doctor orders...

    I hope you get to feeling better, being under the weather is just the pits. Praying for a quick healing!

    Enjoy your day and stay warm. It's very cold out there. Brrr!

    Love Ya,
    Amy

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  8. Hope you are feeling better. If I had the ingredients I would make some for my hubby who is sick right now. I will be adding club soda to my list. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  9. Hello, Thanks for this, will add to my memory (right)
    Tired tonight... See you when I get back, as I will be flying SOUTH :o)
    XO Hope you're feeling better
    Roxy

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  10. Sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well. My husband suffers with vertigo so we no what that is like in our home. Praying you get well soon.

    The ginger drink looks very good, will be giving it a try in the near future. A lovely tutorial.

    Have a good afternoon.

    Joyfully,
    Cheryl

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  11. This is positively BRILLIANT!! I always drink a lot of ginger ale when coming off a migraine because I get so dehydrated from the meds, nausea, and well, vomiting. It's about all I can tolerate the first day. This would be so much better than loading up with store bought! I love it!! Thank you!

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