Having just come back from a trip where I was on a boat for 5 days, I have ginger on my mind! I felt queasy for most of the trip and just craved a tall glass of ginger ale. However, most ginger ale is super unhealthy (it’s just a regular soda of course), or you can find the healthier stuff in health food stores, but it’s either sweetened with stevia (not everyone’s cup of tea), or choc full of sugar. So, in my Healthy DIY Ginger Ale, I have chosen to use raw honey as the sweetener in this beverage because I see honey more as a “food” than a sweetener. Try to find raw, local honey because if it’s locally produced, it will contain the pollen that may protect you from allergies. If you are diabetic, or cannot tolerate honey, you might want to use stevia drops instead. Another great option (although expensive) would be to substitute the Yacon Syrup for the honey. It is such an amazing sweetener because it is a prebiotic – meaning it will help to feed your good gut bacteria. It also will not raise your blood sugar, and might even boost your immune system.
This is also the perfect beverage to serve on hot summer cook-outs/picnics, especially for those who want to avoid soda and alcohol, and yet have a very special drink:)
Ingredients
- 1 cup of ginger root, unpeeled (washed well), and sliced
- 2 cups of filtered water
- 2 tbsp raw honey or Yacon Syrup
- Juice of half a large lemon
- Slices of lemon and fresh mint for garnish
- Sparking mineral water
Instructions
- Place the ginger and water in a small saucepan and simmer over a low heat for 20 minutes.
- Strain the ginger juice into a glass measuring cup. Allow it to cool for 2 or 3 minutes, and then stir in the honey or syrup.
- Add the lemon juice.
- Chill for an hour or more.
- When ready to serve, pour about 2 tbsp of ginger syrup into a glass filled with ice.
- Top up with sparkling mineral water.
- Mix with a glass straw or a spoon.
- Garnish with lemon and mint (you could also add some lavender or flowering chive springs for color).
