Simple Syrup, Ginger
A bold, spicy-sweet syrup made by simmering fresh ginger with sugar and water. Its fiery kick and warm aromatics bring depth to cocktails, mocktails, and sodas. Perfect for adding heat to a Mule, brightness to a Collins, or even a zingy twist to lemonade and tea.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh ginger (peeled and thinly sliced or grated)
- 1 cup sugar (white sugar for clean, brown sugar for richer spice)
- 1 cup water
Directions
- In a saucepan, combine water + sugar. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the ginger slices and simmer gently for 15–20 minutes.
- Longer simmer = stronger, spicier syrup.
- For extra fire, grate the ginger instead of slicing to release more oils.
- Remove from heat, cover, and let steep an additional 30 minutes (optional, for max punch).
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve (or cheesecloth if you want it clear).
- Bottle and refrigerate. Keeps 2–3 weeks.
Variations
- Extra spicy: Add 1–2 sliced jalapeños during the simmer.
- Citrus twist: Add lemon or lime peel to brighten the flavor.
- Rich syrup: Use 2 parts sugar to 1 part water for a thicker, longer-lasting syrup.
