HOMEMADE GINGER ALE

By BobD

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 CUPS
• 1 1/2 cups chopped peeled ginger (7 ounces)
• 2 cups water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 About 1 qt chilled seltzer or club soda
• 3 About 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Preparation

Step 1

MAKE SYRUP:

Cook ginger in water in a small saucepan at a low simmer, partially covered, 45 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep, covered, 20 minutes.

Strain mixture through a sieve into a bowl, pressing on ginger and then discarding.

Return liquid to saucepan and add sugar and a pinch of salt, then heat over medium heat, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Chill syrup in a covered jar until cold.

ASSEMBLE DRINKS:
Mix ginger syrup with seltzer and lime juice (start with 1/4 cup syrup and 1 1/2 tsp lime juice per 3/4 cup seltzer, then adjust to taste).

COOKS NOTE: Ginger syrup keeps, chilled, 1 week.