Tips&Tricks: Ginger syrup (spicy )

Still here? Just in time for Sip and Stir Chronicles: Tips and Tricks

In this edition, we are going to look at Fiery Ginger syrup.

A while ago, we made some Moscow mules; I suggested that you buy ginger syrup, but to be fair, whilst awesome, it’s a little on the expensive side.

After a little experimentation,- I’m here today to share my own recipe for fiery ginger syrup!

Let's start with some ingredients:

• 3 'bits' of fresh Ginger root
• 2 cups? AND 1tbs Sugar
• Water
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 oz Vodka

What hardware do I need?

• Blender
• Peeler
• Knife
• Measuring cups
• Tea strainer
• Coffee filters
• Mason jar or glass bottle (XXml size)

Example time:

Break the Ginger into pieces.

Peel

Chop into small chunks, The three pieces of ginger I used gave me enough to fill 1 and 1/3 cups (whilst chunks )

Place in blender with the 1/4 tsp cayenne and the 1 Tbs sugar.

Add 1/2 cup water.

Blend

Add another 1/2 cup water and blend again.

This should yield approximately 1.5 cups of ginger goop.

Transfer to a saucepan and add 1 cup water and 2 cups of sugar.

Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until all the sugar is dissolved.

Given that you can’t see through the goop, do this by the feel of the liquid and grains of sugar against your spoon or spatula as you stir.

Once all the sugar is dissolved, Strain carefully through a tea strainer.

Dump the pulp into a spare glass.

When you are all done straining, wrap all that pulp in a few coffee filters or cheesecloth and gently squeeze the last bits of juice from the pulp into the jar with your strained liquid.

Add a shot of vodka to preserve

Seal

Shake

Cool in fridge

This is going to taste - really fiery - given the ginger AND the cayenne.

Yet, if you follow the ratios in the recipe I shared previously - this blends nicely with the lime and soda water and tastes great!

If, for any reason, you find it too fiery, adjust by using less Cayenne!

Enjoy

FUN FACTS:

I did the math(s), so you don’t have to. - compared to the leading brands, you'll find this 65% more volume for the same price or 55% cheaper.

The real difference that I found is that the major brands add gum to thicken the syrup up, yet with or without that, you still use the same amount of the syrup for the drinks.