Dec 30
2013

Toasting the New Year with Ginger Soda

in Drinks, Fuji Happy Hour, New Years

Ginger Soda

I can hardly believe we are about to greet the beginning of a new year once again.  This past year has been full of so much—change, excitement, joy, surprise, and sadness—that it’s hard to believe so little time has passed.  I always enjoy reflecting on what the past year has brought our family, and this year is no exception.  I’m also looking forward to seeing what the coming year will bring.  In the meantime, it’s time to celebrate!

What are you doing for your New Year’s festivities?  We are getting back home to Utah today after having been in Southern California for the past 10 days.  Tomorrow my in-laws are coming over to our house to have some fun and greet the new year along with us.  I’ve been trying to plan an assortment of things that will be easy for me to pull together once I get home and have unpacked.  This ginger soda is one of the things I’m especially excited about.

Fresh ginger

adore all things ginger.  This funky looking rhizome sneaks its way into many of the dishes that I cook these days.  Not only is it delicious, but it’s versatile and good for you!  It can alleviate gastrointestinal distress, work as a natural anti-inflammatory, and help boost your immune system, among other things.  Frieda’s Specialty Produce recently sent me a bunch of ginger because they know how much I love it, and I made a ton of ginger syrup to play with.  I’ve made ginger syrup in the past, but this particular batch of ginger syrup was especially good, due to the addition of some Meyer lemon zest, an idea I got from a recent issue of a Japanese food magazine.  The addition of the lemon zest helps round out the flavor of the syrup, making the ginger flavor pop a bit more, without being too “in your face.”

Making ginger syrup

Making the syrup is easy.  It’s made by mixing finely chopped fresh ginger with granulated sugar and water, and cooking it to create a flavorful simple syrup.  Once it has become syrupy, you take it off the heat, stir in finely grated Meyer lemon zest, and let it cool to room temperature.  After it has cooled you strain out the solids and your syrup is done!

Ginger Syrup

One of the things I made with the syrup is ginger soda.  Once you’ve made the syrup, making the soda is a piece of cake.  All you do is mix a bit of the syrup with club soda and ice in a tall glass and garnish the drink with a thin slice of Meyer lemon.  The soda is cold and refreshing with a warm gingery bite.  Perfect for toasting the New Year!

Making Ginger Soda

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Ginger Soda

Makes 1 serving

ice cubes
2 tablespoons ginger syrup (recipe below)
1/2 cup cold club soda
Meyer lemon slice

1. Partially fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour 2 tablespoons of ginger syrup over the ice, then add the club soda.

2. Serve as is, garnished with a thin slice of Meyer lemon, or stir the syrup and club soda together before garnishing with a thin slice of Meyer lemon and serving.

=======================================

Ginger Syrup

Makes approximately 2 cups

4 ounces fresh ginger
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups water
zest of 1/2 Meyer lemon, finely grated

1. Peel and finely chop the ginger.

2. Mix the grated ginger with the granulated sugar and water in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once the mixture comes to a boil, continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes.

3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the finely grated Meyer lemon zest. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, then strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve. Store the syrup covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

=========================================================

*Disclosure: Frieda’s Specialty Produce sent me the fresh ginger I used in this post at no expense to me. I was not required to write this post, nor was I compensated for doing so. All opinions and experiences are my own.

{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }

Lizthechef December 30, 2013 at 8:22 am

I, too, am a huge fan of ginger and ginger ale is my favorite soda. I love the addition of the Meyer lemon zest. The fruit is almost ripe on our trees. Happy New Year!

Reply

Fuji Mama (Rachael) December 31, 2013 at 3:40 pm

Lucky you!! I brought a few Meyer lemons off my parents’ trees home with us that I will treasure. That’s one thing that I already miss about California—the ability to have citrus trees!

Reply

Ann Johnson via Facebook December 30, 2013 at 9:38 am

Curious how this compares to ginger ale. Similar? Stronger? Completely different?

Reply

Joyce Talkington via Facebook December 30, 2013 at 7:46 pm

Looks like just the thing!! Thank you for sharing :D

Reply

Oakley @ Friedas December 31, 2013 at 8:30 am

Oh my gosh, yum! My husband is trying to cut his soda habit. This might help with the transition.

With wonderful recipes like these, we are ALWAYS happy to send you stuff! :)

Reply

Fuji Mama (Rachael) December 31, 2013 at 3:42 pm

This would definitely help!! Plus it’s WAY healthier. ;-) I always love getting boxes from you guys! Having fresh seasonal produce to play with is an incredible source of inspiration.

Reply

Yagmur January 2, 2014 at 8:32 pm

As I’m writing this comment, the ginger syrup is on the stove! I’m sure it’ll turn out great.
Do you think I can freeze some of it?

Reply

Jesus Ortega Corredor January 7, 2014 at 6:19 am

As chef, i think you surely can but, checking the correct temperature of your fridge which ought to be at 4°C (39.2°F) and after making the infusion wait for the syrup to get cool.

Reply

Yagmur January 7, 2014 at 1:59 pm

Thank you!

Reply

Fuji Mama (Rachael) January 9, 2014 at 4:27 pm

It can absolutely be frozen, as Jesus said. I personally would freeze it in an ice cube tray, so that you can just pull out small amounts as needed.

Reply

Monica @ Gastromony January 7, 2014 at 12:13 am

Oshogatsu Omedetou! This sounds so good and perfect for the hot summer days ahead for us here in Australia. Rather detoxifying too I imagine, which again is also perfect for this time of the year!

Reply

Fuji Mama (Rachael) January 9, 2014 at 4:28 pm

Arigatou Monica! Yes, ginger is amazing like that, isn’t it?

Reply

Frieda's Specialty Produce via Facebook January 7, 2014 at 4:44 pm

Shared!

Reply

Gregory April 4, 2014 at 7:16 am

Purchasing has gone by way of a major innovation before a decade.
After you’ve found the things you need, check
to determine if there are any coupons presented. Would you
hate entering the crowded malls?

Reply

lunette soleil homme ray ban February 12, 2015 at 1:44 pm

Ray ban shades are well recognized for their defense against the UV light which is one morerayban sunglasses cause for as to why buyers opt for this brand name. If you ever want to send the glasses back to the company under the warranty, then you would have to send it along with proof of purchase.
lunette soleil homme ray ban
[url=http://genexco.com/filss/photos.asp]lunette soleil homme ray ban[/url]

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: