5.27.15 Ginger Cardamom Lime Soda + Something Extra Special from Scratch
You may have noticed in the last few weeks that my blog posts have been a bit fewer and farther between. It’s not because I’ve forgotten about you, don’t worry. It’s because I’ve been working on a very special project.
Over the past couple of months, I’ve been making something from scratch that’s taking a little longer than any of my usual recipes. Actually, a lot longer. Like 9 months longer. That’s right, we’re having a baby!!!! Forrest and I couldn’t be more excited!!! Also slightly terrified, a little nauseous (well, at least one of us is), and craving cheese (but really, when don’t I crave cheese?). But mostly, very, very excited!
During the last several weeks, I’ve mostly been eating noodles, bread, cheese, and any combination of the above. It’s ironic because this is pretty much the same diet my super picky sister used to eat when we were growing up and I always used to make fun of her about it. I guess this is what I get. Since bread and cheese isn’t much of a recipe, I’m instead giving you this perfectly spicy, and not-too-sweet recipe for homemade ginger ale, of which I’ve been drinking a lot lately. Especially since it’s the only ale I’ll be getting until this baby is born in November.
Ginger Cardamom Lime Soda
makes about 2 cups concentrate
After drinking my fair share of ginger beer in lieu of the real stuff over the past couple of months, I can say that my biggest complaint about most ginger beers out there is that they’re way too sweet. I also like my soda to have a nice, gingery kick. With this recipe, I’ve managed to achieve both. If you prefer a sweeter soda, feel free to add more honey to sweeten things up.
- ¾ cup peeled and roughly chopped ginger root
- 8-10 green cardamom pods, crushed slightly
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed lime juice
- ¼ cup honey (or more to taste)
- sparkling water
1. Place the ginger and ½ cup water in a food processor or blender and blend until ginger is very finely chopped.
2. Put the ginger mixture, crushed cardamom pods, and 1 ½ cups more water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes - liquid should be a dark brown.
3. Remove pan from heat and let the mixture steep for an additional 20 minutes. Strain mixture through a fine-meshed strainer into a bowl or measuring cup.
4. Return strained liquid to the saucepan, along with the honey and lime juice. Bring to a boil, then cook for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
5. When ready to drink, pour as much of the ginger concentrate as you would like into a glass, add ice, and top off with sparkling water.
