Ginger Citrus Mocktail
It is official: I have hit the “fat or pregnant” stage with baby number 3. Due in February, 3BM as s/he is affectionately known is little more at the moment than 10lbs (cough) of extra weight around the waist and boobs. Not happy about the first part, pleased with the second. And even though I have relegated most of my clothes to a plastic tub in the back of the attic to be seen again in a time far, far away we are indeed thrilled to be welcoming another taste tester into the family!
So what this means, other than openly wearing stretchy waist jeans (yay!) is that I am also discovering new and exciting ways to enjoy cocktail hour with friends. You can imagine, or maybe you have experienced, New Orleans cocktail hour is not just important – it is a religion. In our part of town, the slightly edgy Lower Garden District, cocktail hour is usually sitting on your front porch, back porch or stoop discussing renovations you are doing, just completed, need to start or completely screwed up while having those cocktails. And usually you are hot, dirty and sweaty and you are desperate for a break from the heat, a break from the work or just a good old fashioned gossip session.
Since I am a social bunny, steering clear of the hard liquor isn’t going to keep me from cocktail hour, no-siree. I just have to find a new way to imbibe. Here is one of my new and favorites. Use the recipe as a guideline but adjust the amounts of citrus, sugar and ginger as you wish. Make it delicious for you!
- 4 citrus fruits (a mix of lemons, limes, oranges, satsumas)
- 3" piece of ginger
- Sparkling Water or Club Soda
- 1 cup (235 ml) white sugar
- 1 cup (235 ml) water
- 1 lime cut into wedges for garnish
- Special equipment: Juicer
- Bring the water to a boil. Add the sugar and stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely. Allow to cool completely and then pour into a small pitcher or small jar and set aside.
- Cut rind away from the citrus fruits and wash but do NOT peel the ginger.
- Juice all 4 citrus fruits into a small glass or ball jar.
- Juice the ginger into a separate glass or ball jar.
- Set aside.
- Fill 4 rocks glasses with ice. Fill about 2/3 of the way with soda water. Add about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) combined citrus juice and 1 tablespoon (15ml) of ginger. Stir. Top with 2 tablespoons (30ml) of simple syrup, stir again and garnish with a lime wedge.
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