Ginger Limeade
Sometimes it’s nice to have a light cocktail in your repertoire for those in your life that might want to join you for drinks but don’t like the taste of alcohol. Not all cocktails have to be booze forward. Part of what I enjoy about craft cocktails is showcasing the other ingredients such as citrus, herbs, berries or fresh ginger. Last week I had a bunch of fresh ginger leftover from another culinary endeavor and I remembered seeing a recipe for a ginger syrup in “The Slanted Door Cookbook”. The syrup is part of their recipe for a Ginger Limeade cocktail. The syrup is simple to make but does take time, as it needs to simmer for 8-10 hours. I started the syrup in the morning and then spent the rest of the day working in my gardens. I love having something going on in the kitchen while I am working outside. It’s the kind of multi-tasking I can get behind! It’s also wonderful knowing that a fun cocktail awaits you!
The Slanted Door is a restaurant in San Francisco, featuring modern Vietnamese cuisine. Several years ago, my friend, Toyin, and I went there for dinner and had an amazing time. We ordered way too much food and probably too many cocktails! Restaurants with small plates are too tempting. We wanted to try everything! Their cocktail menu was one of the best I’ve come across and likewise, we wanted to try everything! At the end of the evening, we were giggling uncontrollably when Toyin seemed shocked that our bill was so expensive! It was totally worth it, as we still talk about that meal. As soon as I got home, I ordered the cookbook. The collection of cocktail recipes inspires me regularly and always brings me back to that fun evening in San Francisco.
The Ginger Limeade cocktail is made with vodka, ginger syrup, and fresh lime. The Slanted Door recipe calls for a 1/4 oz curaçao, such as Cointreau, but I felt it hid the ginger flavor. Curaçao is an orange flavored liqueur that acts as a sweetener in many cocktails. I decided to increase the amount of ginger syrup from 1/2 oz to 3/4 oz instead. The cocktail is definitely sweeter than my usual preference but it pairs really well with spicy Asian food. My husband is not a drinker and he had a few of these last week. If you’re looking for something less alcohol forward, this might be your drink! Cheers!
Ginger Limeade, adapted from The Slanted Door
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Hangar 1 kaffir lime vodka (I tried this with the specific vodka and also regular vodka- both fine!)
3/4 oz Ginger Syrup (See Below)
1 oz fresh lime juice
Candied ginger, for garnish
Lime Wheel, for garnish
Method:
Combine vodka, ginger syrup, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled and pour into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with a piece of candied ginger and a lime wheel, using a toothpick to pin them together. Don't skip the garnish here- it makes the drink visually special!
Ginger Syrup:
2 cups sugar
3 cups water
1/2 cup agave nectar
1/4 pound fresh ginger, peeled, peel reserved
Combine all the ingredients except the ginger peel in large sauce pan over high heat. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and let simmer uncovered for 4-6 hours, until the ginger is tender. Add the peel and simmer for another 4 hours. Strain the syrup and let cool. Syrup can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
