Fresh Ginger Ale

One of my favorite things to do in Las Vegas (believe it or not) is to sit at the bar at Sensi and have a glass of their fresh homemade ginger ale. It’s tangy, only a touch sweet, and incredibly refreshing. Seeing as there are about 250 miles between home and the Bellagio, however, the closest I can get most days is to make my own. If you have a Soda Stream machine, this is a perfect use for it (as opposed to flavoring your water with the pre-made syrups). Otherwise, club soda will do.

I’ve had this recipe for years and no longer remember where I found it. If anyone knows the source, I’d be delighted to add a credit and link here! And for an even bolder recipe than the one below (with lemongrass and chiles), check out Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s version via Kahakai Kitchen.

Fresh Ginger Ale

2 C (about 10 oz) peeled ginger, coarsely chopped
3 strips lemon peel, about 4″ long each, yellow part only
1.5 C sugar

  • Combine ginger, lemon peel and 4 cups water in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil gently, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in sugar and continue boiling until mixture is reduced to 3 cups, about 15 minutes longer.
  • Pour mixture through a fine wire strainer set over a bowl. Discard peel; reserve ginger for another use* or discard.
  • Cool syrup, cover, and chill until cold, at least one hour or up to one week.
  • To serve: In a 16-oz glass, mix 1/4 C ginger syrup with 1 cup cold carbonated water / club soda. Add ice, and more ginger syrup and/or sugar to taste. Or – as they do at Sensi – sprinkle a pinch of ground cayenne on top. Yum.

Per serving: 100 calories, 26 g carbohydrates.

*Refrigerate leftover cooked ginger, if desired, and stir into softened vanilla ice cream or sprinkle over yogurt or sliced bananas.

Author

  • Arlene Wszalek

    Arlene Wszalek is a strategist, advisor, speaker, and cultural observer. Until recently, she served as Executive Vice President of Strategy & Innovation at Allied Global Marketing, a global agency known for performance-based, idea-driven campaigns that shape culture and drive results. Arlene has lived and worked in both the U.S. and the U.K., and her experience spans media, entertainment, technology, travel, and the arts. She holds a BA from Smith College and is a member of the Television Academy (ATAS), the Recording Academy (NARAS) and the Producers Guild of America..

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