Ginger Lemonade

Recipe by: Arlen Gargagliano | from Calypso Coolers: Recipes for 50 Caribbean Cocktails and 20 Tropical Treats

Cookstr

Course: Beverage

Total Time: Under 30 Minutes

Skill Level: Moderate

Cost: Inexpensive

Photo by: Joseph De Leo

Ginger-brushed cocktails, like this lemonade, are popular throughout the Caribbean, thanks to Eastern influences. (In fact, fresh ginger limeade and lemonade can be found in India and Japan!) This very refreshing vodka-spiked lemonade, a version of that found in Trinidad and other parts of the Caribbean, can be made with or without the alcohol. If you are making it without alcohol, add about half a cup of the lemonade and an equal amount of club soda. You can also use the lemonade for another luscious drink, the Ginger-Champagne Cocktail.

Yield: Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

16 ounces water
2 inches fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced
1 cup granulated sugar, plus more to taste
6 ounces fresh lemon juice, plus 4 half-moon slices of lemon, for garnish
2 ounces fresh lime juice
8 ounces vodka
Crushed ice
Club soda
Fresh mint leaves and/or sugarcane sticks, for garnish

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of the water with the ginger and sugar, and cook over a medium flame, stirring frequently, until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool to room temperature. Strain into a pitcher. Add the remaining water, lemon juice, and lime juice, and either refrigerate for up to one week, or mix with the vodka for immediate serving.

Fill four glasses with crushed ice. Add 2 ounces of vodka to each glass. Fill three-quarters of the way with the ginger-lemonade mixture. Stir and top with club soda. Garnish and serve.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Calories 339kcal (17%)

Calcium 10mg (1%)

Vitamin C 26mg (43%)

Vitamin A 1mcg RAE (0%)

Potassium 87mg

Magnesium 6mg

Protein 0g

Sugar 51g

Fiber 0g

Total Carbohydrate 56g