Homemade Ginger Ale

Healthy Summer Treat: Homemade Ginger Ale

Next time the summer sun has you wilting like a lettuce leaf, skip the store-bought sodas and cool off with this delicious drink: homemade ginger ale.

In addition to being refreshing, the ginger brings health benefits. It's thought to soothe upset stomachs as well as achy joints. Here's how to make ginger ale from scratch.

"For those who suffer from motion sickness or common, garden-variety nausea, ginger is a gift," writes Ellen Michaud in The Healing Kitchen. (Browse the book online.) Ginger also may aid digestion, according to Michaud. (One caveat: If you're taking one of these medications, talk to your doctor before using ginger.)

Here's Michaud's ginger ale recipe:

The Healing Garden Ingredients:

• 4 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
• 2 cups water4 teaspoons honey
• 2 cups seltzer water
• Lemon slices
• Ice
  

1. Finely chop or shred ginger in a food processor or with a hand grater. Boil water and add the ginger to it. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain.

2. Add honey. (More can be added to taste.)

3. Allow mixture to reach room temperature. Pour 1/2 cup in a glass. Add seltzer, a lemon slice, and ice. Stir and serve. Any leftover drink must be refrigerated or the mixture will begin to ferment and you'll have ginger beer!

Makes 4 servings.
Nutrition information (per serving): 23 calories; 6 g carbohydrate; 0 g fat; 0 g saturated fat; 0 g fiber; 0 mg cholesterol; 25 mg sodium.

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