I could make this at any time of year, but I enjoy it most in the summer… when the sun is high and the temperatures are scorching—above 100°F (38°C) in the shade.
That’s when I fill a tall glass with ice, pour in my ginger-lime syrup, and top it off with some sparkling mineral water.
It is almost a ginger beer… but it isn’t quite. To be a true ginger beer there must be fermentation to produce the fizz. Instead, I add sparkling mineral water to give it the requisite effervescence.
The color of the syrup can vary from golden to pink — it all depends on the skin of the ginger. Sometimes it has a reddish hue, which I really like.
Here’s to another sizzling summer in the desert!
~ David
Ingredients
- 1 pound ginger root, with skin, washed and thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
- 3 dried bay leaves, or 9 fresh
- 1 cup sugar
- juice of 2 limes (or the juice of 1 lemon)
- sparkling mineral water, to serve
Instructions
- Place chopped ginger in a large bowl. Add bay leaves. Boil 5 cups water and pour it over ginger. Let mixture stand, covered, for 8 hours or more, preferably overnight.
- After the ginger has steeped, place 1 additional cup water and the sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer just until sugar has melted, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool.
- Strain the ginger mixture into a pitcher or a glass jar, mix in sugar syrup and lime juice, and refrigerate
- To serve, fill a glass with ice and pour in two parts ginger syrup to one part sparkling mineral water.
- Sometimes I drink the syrup on ice without the sparkling water, while Markipedia goes the other direction and doubles or triples the water. You’ll find the proportion you like best!
- Makes about 6 cups ginger syrup.
© 2024 Copyright Cocoa & Lavender
Fran @ G'day Souffle'
August 8, 2020 at 7:11 amWow, this looks really refreshing! If I am permitted, it would be perfect to add a few ‘drops’ of gin!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 8, 2020 at 7:32 amI would never stop you, Fran! Sounds like a great idea!
John / Kitchen Riffs
August 8, 2020 at 8:49 amThis looks great. I’ve only started making my own ginger “beer” this year (and it’s not truly beer, because as you note you need fermentation for that, and I can’t be bothered). Would not have thought of adding bay leaf to the mix — interesting idea. Although in truth, I never add bay leaf to anything — Mrs KR doesn’t like it. So I’ll substitute mint when I make this. Or now that I think about it, thyme might be interesting. Different flavor entirely, but also good, I’ll bet. Good stuff — thanks.
Cocoa & Lavender
August 9, 2020 at 6:46 amI think thyme would be great, John—or evening rosemary. There nice thing about this is how light it is, making it truly refreshing. As you can tell, I can’t be bothered with the fermentation, either.
Eha Carr
August 8, 2020 at 5:44 pmBrrr, David, ‘it’s cold outside’ 🙂 !! That said I am a very poor Australian admitting I do not particularly like ginger beer , , , . .we seem to bathe in the stuff and I rarely have it in the house ! Nut I love ginger and the way you have made this together with lime juice and a touch of bay . . . come spring it will most certainly be tried ! . . .
Cocoa & Lavender
August 9, 2020 at 6:47 amSorry, my dear—i forget you are I’m opposing weather world! Just wait—you will need this in several months. And it is nothing like ginger beer—you will enjoy it, I think.
Christina Conte
August 8, 2020 at 8:42 pmThat looks and sounds so good! I just had rhubarb granita for dinner even though our temps are lovely now. I have ginger on my shopping list as I just ran out, so will have to try it soon!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 9, 2020 at 6:49 amRhubarb granita sounds so nice! I hope you enjoy the ginger lime fizz if you make it!
Catherine L Hackert
August 9, 2020 at 8:22 amSounds like a keeper. With a bit of gin.
Cocoa & Lavender
August 9, 2020 at 1:52 pmSounds wonderful! Hope you’re doing well — best to Carl!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
August 9, 2020 at 11:44 amThis sounds so interesting and I must give it a try. I wonder what l my shopper at Instacart will think when I leave a note that I need enough ginger to make 2 cups. 😁
Cocoa & Lavender
August 9, 2020 at 1:53 pmI bet if I asked our Instacart shopper for a pound of ginger s/he would definitely be asking questions!
Valentina
August 9, 2020 at 8:42 pmI love this and now I want to be holding one poolside. 😉 ~Valentina
David Scott Allen
August 10, 2020 at 3:55 pmPerfect for the pool — in a mint julep cup! Thanks, Valentina!
2pots2cook
August 10, 2020 at 1:16 amHere I join the ” Gin Club ” 🙂 Perfect photo !
David Scott Allen
August 10, 2020 at 3:56 pmWhat good company you keep, Davorka!
Marcelle
August 10, 2020 at 5:03 amDavid, your ginger-lime fizz sounds flavorful! You know I love my mocktails during the day, this a new one I have to try! I love that you did this will all-natural ingredients, there are some fantastic flavors in that glass!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 10, 2020 at 4:01 pmMocktail by day, cocktail by night! Don’t you love a flexible beverage, Marcelle?
Chef Mimi
August 10, 2020 at 5:07 amVery pretty. I’m not one for botanical flavors in my drinks, and in some food. Like rosemary and lavender in everything, from ice cream to cocktails. There are some nice botanical gins that I enjoy, but just fo one drink.
Ron
August 10, 2020 at 6:13 amDavid, your images are making me very thirsty. I make ginger syrup, but not with lime or bay leaves. I’m thinking if one added a good shot of vodka one would have a dandy cocktail. Thanks for the inspiration…
Frank Fariello
August 10, 2020 at 8:01 amNow this sounds really refreshing! I’m a ginger fan from way back. (I mean the root not the hair color… ) Always nice to have a non-alcoholic summer drink recipe on hand!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 10, 2020 at 4:03 pmI’m with you on the ginger front(s). Actually, when I was in 4th grade I was a ginger… then it went dirty blond on me. Glad you like the fizz!
sippitysup
August 10, 2020 at 1:28 pmLeave it sitting long enough and it will be ginger beer. But why wait? GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
August 10, 2020 at 4:04 pmSo true. And who has enough counter space to leave that sitting out for so long?
Raymund
August 10, 2020 at 2:31 pmThat is so refreshing! I can feel the summer from your place even though its cold down here under.
BTW I might be tempted to add some gin or vodka in that
Cocoa & Lavender
August 10, 2020 at 4:04 pmAdd away, Raymund! A lot of options here!
Gloria Roa Baker
August 10, 2020 at 2:59 pmThis looks fresh and delicious David, and sure it is ! xo
Cocoa & Lavender
August 10, 2020 at 4:05 pmThanks, Gloria—it is, and time to make another batch!
Jeff the chef
August 11, 2020 at 7:23 amI hope to never live to see 100 degrees in the shade! But I won’t wait until then to try this out. I’ve actually always wanted to make ginger beer, and have simply never taken the plunge. I have tried to come up with a concoction like yours now and then, but have never had any success, so I’ll certainly look forward to trying this out!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 12, 2020 at 7:24 am100° in the shade isn’t bad when it’s dry, Jeff, but it’s still a bit of an oven. I hope to like this concoction—it’s light and refreshing!
Rahul
August 11, 2020 at 5:15 pmNothing quenches a summer thirst like an ice-cold glass of ginger-lime fizz. So simple and refreshing recipe David
Cocoa & Lavender
August 12, 2020 at 7:25 amThanks, Rahul… I drink very few things with ice, but for this one it’s required!
Sherry
August 13, 2020 at 5:08 amGinger and lime? Great combo. I think I mentioned on my blog how i blew out the dining room wall with my ginger beer one time. It was a huge explosion !!!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 16, 2020 at 3:17 pmI have another friend (non-blogger) whose ginger beer exploded all over her kitchen. Maybe I should have called my post “Safer Ginger.” The lime and bay add really great flavor.
Kelly | Foodtasia
August 13, 2020 at 12:39 pmDavid, Virginia is not as hot as Arizona, but with the humidity, this would really hit the spot. The flavors sound amazing. Running to the kitchen right now to whip up a glass!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 16, 2020 at 3:18 pmI actually think this would make more difference in a hot, humid climate. I suffered so in Philly, and am really happy with my dry desert weather!
Susan Manfull
August 18, 2020 at 8:18 pmVodka would be my choice! Sounds yummy and very refreshing!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 21, 2020 at 7:18 amVery refreshing. Have I ever seen you drink a cocktail?
Inger @ Art of Natural Living
August 20, 2020 at 7:45 amLove this David. It has long been on my list to do more interesting syrups. I have a soda stream so the fizzy water part is taken care of. I might add something a little stronger on occasion too 🙂 !
Cocoa & Lavender
August 21, 2020 at 7:18 amThis ginger lime syrup is incredibly light, and not at all cloying. I think you’ll like it!
John
September 6, 2020 at 2:54 pmI am really loving this, especially with the additions of lime and bay. I preserved some stem ginger several months ago, which is slowly being used in desserts, but I occasionally mix its sweet, sharp syrup with sparkling water for a refreshing drink. So good!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 7, 2020 at 7:27 amThe bay and lime really make this so different , John. Will be trying more different herbs next time.