homemade ginger ale

refreshing and delicious. perfect for a summer party.

homemade ginger ale
makes 1.5 cups syrup (enough for 4-6 drinks)

1.5 cups chopped, peeled ginger (7 oz)
2 cups water
1/4 - 1/2 cup sugar (optional)
1 quart chilled seltzer
3 tbsp fresh lime juice

Make syrup: 
Cook ginger in water in a small saucepan at a low simmer, partially covered, 45 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep, covered, 20 minutes.

Strain mixture through a sieve into a bowl, pressing on ginger and then discarding. Return liquid to saucepan and add sugar and a pinch of salt, then heat over medium heat, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Chill syrup in a covered jar until cold.

Assemble drinks:
Mix ginger syrup with seltzer and lime juice (start with 1/4 cup syrup and 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice per 3/4 cup seltzer, then adjust to taste).

sparkling party punch

This was a hit at Marcy's birthday party last year. If I remember correctly, I couldn't find any frozen lemonade, so used frozen pineapple concentrate instead.

sparkling party punch

makes 20 servings

2 lemons 3 large oranges 1 (6 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate 1 liter club soda 2 (750 milliliter) bottles sparkling apple cider 2 trays ice cubes Thinly slice the lemons and the oranges and place in a large punch bowl. Pour in the thawed lemonade. Gently stir in the club soda and the sparkling apple cider. Add sugar to taste. Add ice.