Ginger Cordial Food

GINGER CORDIAL

Steps:

• Boil the water, sugar, ginger, rind and cream of tartar for 5 minutes.
• Add the lemon or lime juice.
• Bring to the boil again.
• Take off the heat, strain and pour into a sterilised bottle which will hold approximately 6 cups of liquid.
• Use like ordinary cordial, either with iced water for a cooling drink, or hot water for a warming drink on a winter's night.

HOMEMADE GINGER BEER

Steps:

• Put the ginger in a saucepan set over a low heat with the lemon peel, sugars and 500ml water and stir until the sugars have dissolved. Increase the heat to medium, then simmer for 15-20 mins, or until reduced and syrupy. Remove from the heat and leave to cool completely.
• Strain the syrup into a jug through a sieve lined with muslin. At this stage, you can transfer the syrup to a small sterilised bottle or jar and keep in the fridge for up to two weeks.
• Pour the ginger syrup into a large serving jug. Tip in the lemon juice, fill with ice and top up with the soda water. Serve garnished with a few mint sprigs.

HOMEMADE GINGER CORDIAL

Steps:

• Slice the top and bottom of lemon with a paring knife. Set one of the flat sides on your work surface. From top to bottom, following the curve of the fruit, cut away peel. Trim off any white pith from peel and discard. Discard flesh or save for another use.
• In a medium saucepan, bring sugar, 1 cup water, ginger, cream of tartar, and lemon peel to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes.
• Add lemon juice and return to a boil. Strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bottle; let cool. Keep refrigerated, until ready to use, up to 2 weeks.