Ginger Ale

Dennis Spexet said:

Every so often, I want some ginger ale. Like many people, I'd buy it at the
supermarket.

This morning, I decided to make some myself. It turned out really good!

In a 16-oz glass, put in:

1 tbsp sugar (or more if you like)
juice and zest of one lime
2 tbsp grated ginger (adjust up or down as you like)
club soda (enough to fill up the glass)

Mix up the sugar, lime juice, lime zest, and grated ginger. After they're
mixed up, put in the club soda.

Then drink!

I'll never buy ginger ale at the supermarket ever again. This drink has
LOTS of "bite" compared to the commercial versions, and a much cleaner
taste.

It's real easy to make too. All you really need is a grater of some kind.
To make the grating real easy, I used frozen ginger. When the ginger is
frozen, it grates into fine bits, without all the stringy stuff.

Do you expect people here to believe your post? Are you just trying to
see how dumb they are? If you would have put together that hideous
concoction, it would not have been drinkable. I don't know why people
post [censored] like that. Bored, I guess.

--Bryan

Dennis Spexet said:

Every so often, I want some ginger ale. Like many people, I'd buy it at the
supermarket.

This morning, I decided to make some myself. It turned out really good!

In a 16-oz glass, put in:

1 tbsp sugar (or more if you like)
juice and zest of one lime
2 tbsp grated ginger (adjust up or down as you like)
club soda (enough to fill up the glass)

Mix up the sugar, lime juice, lime zest, and grated ginger. After they're
mixed up, put in the club soda.

Then drink!

I'll never buy ginger ale at the supermarket ever again. This drink has
LOTS of "bite" compared to the commercial versions, and a much cleaner
taste.

It's real easy to make too. All you really need is a grater of some kind.
To make the grating real easy, I used frozen ginger. When the ginger is
frozen, it grates into fine bits, without all the stringy stuff.

Hey here's one from Old Mother Ashley:
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.food.cooking/browse_frm/thread/3191f76f2ee94cbd/eed5c1058b61ec8f?q=%22ginger+beer%22&rnum=2#eed5c1058b61ec8f

"Food Snob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Do you expect people here to believe your post? Are you just trying to
see how dumb they are? If you would have put together that hideous
concoction, it would not have been drinkable. I don't know why people
post [censored] like that. Bored, I guess.

I'm sorry you feel that way, but rest assured I'm not trolling. It really
is good stuff! After all, I just drank a glass of it.

I encourage everybody to try it. The ingredients are simple enough, and can
be adjusted to fit one's personal taste. It's not as refined as commercial
ginger ale, but it definitely tastes good.

Ginger, sugar, lime and club soda...with those great ingredients, how can
you go wrong?

"Dennis Spexet" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

"Food Snob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Do you expect people here to believe your post? Are you just trying
to see how dumb they are? If you would have put together that
hideous concoction, it would not have been drinkable. I don't know
why people post [censored] like that. Bored, I guess.

I'm sorry you feel that way, but rest assured I'm not trolling. It
really is good stuff! After all, I just drank a glass of it.

I encourage everybody to try it. The ingredients are simple enough,
and can be adjusted to fit one's personal taste. It's not as refined
as commercial ginger ale, but it definitely tastes good.

Ginger, sugar, lime and club soda...with those great ingredients, how
can you go wrong?

You want real ginger ale, drink Bundaberg!!! End of story.

Andy

Andy said:

"Dennis Spexet" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

"Food Snob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Do you expect people here to believe your post? Are you just trying
to see how dumb they are? If you would have put together that
hideous concoction, it would not have been drinkable. I don't know
why people post [censored] like that. Bored, I guess.

I'm sorry you feel that way, but rest assured I'm not trolling. It
really is good stuff! After all, I just drank a glass of it.

I encourage everybody to try it. The ingredients are simple enough,
and can be adjusted to fit one's personal taste. It's not as refined
as commercial ginger ale, but it definitely tastes good.

Ginger, sugar, lime and club soda...with those great ingredients, how
can you go wrong?

You want real ginger ale, drink Bundaberg!!! End of story.

Now, I'm really confused. Bundaberg is Australian rum...
http://www.bundabergrum.com rum and ginger ale?

Adding fuel to the fire: Drink Vernor's
http://hcs.harvard.edu/~dins/history/gingerale.shtml
recipe included
--

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.

Dennis Spexet said:

"Food Snob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Do you expect people here to believe your post? Are you just trying to
see how dumb they are? If you would have put together that hideous
concoction, it would not have been drinkable. I don't know why people
post [censored] like that. Bored, I guess.

I'm sorry you feel that way, but rest assured I'm not trolling. It really
is good stuff! After all, I just drank a glass of it.

I encourage everybody to try it. The ingredients are simple enough, and can
be adjusted to fit one's personal taste. It's not as refined as commercial
ginger ale, but it definitely tastes good.

Ginger, sugar, lime and club soda...with those great ingredients, how can
you go wrong?

I suggest that someone else here try it in exactly the way it was
presented, disregarding the more-or-less part.

"In a 16-oz glass, put in:

1 tbsp sugar (or more if you like)
juice and zest of one lime
2 tbsp grated ginger (adjust up or down as you like)
club soda (enough to fill up the glass)

Mix up the sugar, lime juice, lime zest, and grated ginger. After
they're
mixed up, put in the club soda. "

--Bryan

sf said:

Andy said:

"Dennis Spexet" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

"Food Snob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

> Do you expect people here to believe your post? Are you just trying
> to see how dumb they are? If you would have put together that
> hideous concoction, it would not have been drinkable. I don't know
> why people post [censored] like that. Bored, I guess.

I'm sorry you feel that way, but rest assured I'm not trolling. It
really is good stuff! After all, I just drank a glass of it.

I encourage everybody to try it. The ingredients are simple enough,
and can be adjusted to fit one's personal taste. It's not as refined
as commercial ginger ale, but it definitely tastes good.

Ginger, sugar, lime and club soda...with those great ingredients, how
can you go wrong?

You want real ginger ale, drink Bundaberg!!! End of story.

Now, I'm really confused. Bundaberg is Australian rum...
http://www.bundabergrum.com rum and ginger ale?

Adding fuel to the fire: Drink Vernor's
http://hcs.harvard.edu/~dins/history/gingerale.shtml
recipe included

I AGREE!!! Vernor's is the only ginger ale to me. I grew up with it,
never had anything else for years (I was probably 30 before I had any
other kind) Nothing else tastes like ginger ale to me. It's also very
cheap in Michigan - cheaper than most sodas. In Virginia however, it is
close to $6.00 a six pack of cans...We don't get it often 🙂

Roberta (in VA)

Dennis Spexet said:

Every so often, I want some ginger ale. Like many people, I'd buy it at the
supermarket.

This morning, I decided to make some myself. It turned out really good!

I simmer a couple pounds of grated ginger root and a handfull of
crushed allspice for 20 minutes. Then I strain it through
cheesecloth in a seive, pressing out all the liquid. Then I
disolve as much sugar as I can into it while heating it. Let it
cool, add the juice of a few lemons or limes, and bottle it.

I use it as a concentrate to add to club soda or just regular
water. I like it *very* spicy, and this is the only way to get
it.

-sw

Food Snob said:

I suggest that someone else here try it in exactly the way it was
presented, disregarding the more-or-less part.

I think you're on drugs again. It makes a drinkable soda - Maybe
a little [censored], perhaps he used a key lime. I prefer to steep and
strain mine.

-sw

"Roberta" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:Yuw%f.1852$B42.870@dukeread05...

Quoted message said:

sf said:

Andy said:

"Dennis Spexet" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]: > "Food Snob"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message >
news:[email hidden]...
> >> Do you expect people here to believe your post? Are you just
trying
>> to see how dumb they are? If you would have put together that
>> hideous concoction, it would not have been drinkable. I don't know
>> why people post [censored] like that. Bored, I guess.
> > I'm sorry you feel that way, but rest assured I'm not trolling. It
> really is good stuff! After all, I just drank a glass of it.
> > I encourage everybody to try it. The ingredients are simple
enough,
> and can be adjusted to fit one's personal taste. It's not as refined
> as commercial ginger ale, but it definitely tastes good.
> > Ginger, sugar, lime and club soda...with those great ingredients,
how
> can you go wrong? You want real ginger ale, drink Bundaberg!!! End of
story.

Now, I'm really confused. Bundaberg is Australian rum...
http://www.bundabergrum.com rum and ginger ale?

Adding fuel to the fire: Drink Vernor's
http://hcs.harvard.edu/~dins/history/gingerale.shtml
recipe included

I AGREE!!! Vernor's is the only ginger ale to me. I grew up with it,
never had anything else for years (I was probably 30 before I had any
other kind) Nothing else tastes like ginger ale to me. It's also very
cheap in Michigan - cheaper than most sodas. In Virginia however, it is
close to $6.00 a six pack of cans...We don't get it often 🙂

Roberta (in VA)

You are lucky to be able to get Vernors at that price. I have to have my
father ship it to me from Michigan....But as you said "Vernor's is the only
ginger ale to me".... and it IS the best ... have you ever had a Boston
cooler ???... (Vernors and Vanilla ice cream)... ahh, takes me back to being
a kid ... it makes my nose tingle ....

Greg ( Jersey Boy )

"gep" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Roberta" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:Yuw%f.1852$B42.870@dukeread05...

Quoted message said:

sf said:

On Thu, 13 Apr 2006 06:49:29 -0500, Andy wrote:

> "Dennis Spexet" <[email hidden]> wrote in
> news:[email hidden]: > "Food Snob"
> <[email hidden]> wrote in message >
> news:[email hidden]...
> > >> Do you expect people here to believe your post? Are you just
> trying
> >> to see how dumb they are? If you would have put together that
> >> hideous concoction, it would not have been drinkable. I don't know
> >> why people post [censored] like that. Bored, I guess.
> > > I'm sorry you feel that way, but rest assured I'm not trolling.
> It
> > really is good stuff! After all, I just drank a glass of it.
> > > I encourage everybody to try it. The ingredients are simple
> enough,
> > and can be adjusted to fit one's personal taste. It's not as
> refined
> > as commercial ginger ale, but it definitely tastes good.
> > > Ginger, sugar, lime and club soda...with those great ingredients,
> how
> > can you go wrong? You want real ginger ale, drink Bundaberg!!! End
> of story.
>
Now, I'm really confused. Bundaberg is Australian rum...
http://www.bundabergrum.com rum and ginger ale?

Adding fuel to the fire: Drink Vernor's
http://hcs.harvard.edu/~dins/history/gingerale.shtml
recipe included

I AGREE!!! Vernor's is the only ginger ale to me. I grew up with it,
never had anything else for years (I was probably 30 before I had any
other kind) Nothing else tastes like ginger ale to me. It's also very
cheap in Michigan - cheaper than most sodas. In Virginia however, it is
close to $6.00 a six pack of cans...We don't get it often 🙂

Roberta (in VA)

You are lucky to be able to get Vernors at that price. I have to have my
father ship it to me from Michigan....But as you said "Vernor's is the
only ginger ale to me".... and it IS the best ... have you ever had a
Boston cooler ???... (Vernors and Vanilla ice cream)... ahh, takes me back
to being a kid ... it makes my nose tingle ....

Greg ( Jersey Boy )

Stop into a Wegman's supermarket and see if they've got Saranac ginger beer.
I've never tried Vernor's, so I have to basis of comparison, but Saranac is
pretty remarkable. Look carefully in the stores - it's not a big seller, so
it's usually on the bottom shelf. Green 6-pack holder, if I recall.

"Steve Wertz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I simmer a couple pounds of grated ginger root and a handfull of
crushed allspice for 20 minutes. Then I strain it through
cheesecloth in a seive, pressing out all the liquid. Then I
disolve as much sugar as I can into it while heating it. Let it
cool, add the juice of a few lemons or limes, and bottle it.

Hey that sounds really good too.

What kind of yield do you get from a couple pounds of ginger? When I made
my "raw" version, I just put a couple tablespoons of ground ginger into a
16oz glass with sugar, lime and club soda...and I thought it was spicy.

I'd love to have a good concentrate that I could keep for a while...just put
some into club soda whenever I feel like drinking ginger ale. Now that I've
had my own, I'll drink it more often....and I won't buy it from the
supermarket!

"Roberta" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:Yuw%f.1852$B42.870@dukeread05...

Quoted message said:

sf said:

Andy said:

"Dennis Spexet" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]: > "Food Snob"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message >
news:[email hidden]...
> >> Do you expect people here to believe your post? Are you just
trying
>> to see how dumb they are? If you would have put together that
>> hideous concoction, it would not have been drinkable. I don't know
>> why people post [censored] like that. Bored, I guess.
> > I'm sorry you feel that way, but rest assured I'm not trolling. It
> really is good stuff! After all, I just drank a glass of it.
> > I encourage everybody to try it. The ingredients are simple
enough,
> and can be adjusted to fit one's personal taste. It's not as refined
> as commercial ginger ale, but it definitely tastes good.
> > Ginger, sugar, lime and club soda...with those great ingredients,
how
> can you go wrong? You want real ginger ale, drink Bundaberg!!! End of
story.

Now, I'm really confused. Bundaberg is Australian rum...
http://www.bundabergrum.com rum and ginger ale?

Adding fuel to the fire: Drink Vernor's
http://hcs.harvard.edu/~dins/history/gingerale.shtml
recipe included

I AGREE!!! Vernor's is the only ginger ale to me. I grew up with it,
never had anything else for years (I was probably 30 before I had any
other kind) Nothing else tastes like ginger ale to me. It's also very
cheap in Michigan - cheaper than most sodas. In Virginia however, it is
close to $6.00 a six pack of cans...We don't get it often 🙂

Roberta (in VA)

=========

Hmmm... Seems to me I ran across a 'homemade Ginger Ale' recipe recently
that is very much like the one Dennis posted. Sounds tasty to me. In fact,
IIRC, Emeril made Ginger Ale on one of his episodes a year or two ago...

As for Vernor's... Pffffffttttttt.... it *used* to be good but now doesn't
even have the bite of a toothless dog! Used to be, you could almost choke
on the ginger just by smelling it... now it's just as mild as any other
flavored water! When I used to travel, I tried to buy it in different
states hoping that maybe a different bottling plant might be making it as I
remembered... but no such luck. I still drink it on occasion when it's
offered but no longer bother purchasing it.

Dennis, I'm saving your recipe to try soon. Seems to me I have a couple of
pounds in the freezer just waiting to be used.

--
Syssi

"Steve Wertz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dennis Spexet said:

Every so often, I want some ginger ale. Like many people, I'd buy it at
the
supermarket.

This morning, I decided to make some myself. It turned out really good!

I simmer a couple pounds of grated ginger root and a handfull of
crushed allspice for 20 minutes. Then I strain it through
cheesecloth in a seive, pressing out all the liquid. Then I
disolve as much sugar as I can into it while heating it. Let it
cool, add the juice of a few lemons or limes, and bottle it.

I use it as a concentrate to add to club soda or just regular
water. I like it *very* spicy, and this is the only way to get
it.

-sw

======

Yes, this is even closer (steeping and straining) to the recipe that I
recall... but regardless of method - both are bound to be an improvement
over what is available in the stores.

--
Syssi

On Thu, 13 Apr 2006 21:53:16 GMT, "Syssi" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

"Roberta" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I AGREE!!! Vernor's is the only ginger ale to me. I grew up with it,
never had anything else for years (I was probably 30 before I had any
other kind) Nothing else tastes like ginger ale to me. It's also very
cheap in Michigan - cheaper than most sodas. In Virginia however, it is
close to $6.00 a six pack of cans...We don't get it often 🙂

Roberta (in VA)

=========

Hmmm... Seems to me I ran across a 'homemade Ginger Ale' recipe recently
that is very much like the one Dennis posted. Sounds tasty to me. In fact,
IIRC, Emeril made Ginger Ale on one of his episodes a year or two ago...

As for Vernor's... Pffffffttttttt.... it *used* to be good but now doesn't
even have the bite of a toothless dog! Used to be, you could almost choke
on the ginger just by smelling it... now it's just as mild as any other
flavored water! When I used to travel, I tried to buy it in different
states hoping that maybe a different bottling plant might be making it as I
remembered... but no such luck. I still drink it on occasion when it's
offered but no longer bother purchasing it.

Indeed. When I went to college, I lived 2 blocks from the plant.
Vernor's just isn't the same any more.

Quoted message said:

Dennis, I'm saving your recipe to try soon. Seems to me I have a couple of
pounds in the freezer just waiting to be used.

If you come up with something that truly tastes like Vernor's, I'll
try it. Until then, I have my fond memories of Vernor's and Boston
Coolers to keep me happy.

Boron

Dennis Spexet said:

"Steve Wertz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I simmer a couple pounds of grated ginger root and a handfull of
crushed allspice for 20 minutes. Then I strain it through
cheesecloth in a seive, pressing out all the liquid. Then I
disolve as much sugar as I can into it while heating it. Let it
cool, add the juice of a few lemons or limes, and bottle it.

Hey that sounds really good too.

What kind of yield do you get from a couple pounds of ginger? When I made
my "raw" version, I just put a couple tablespoons of ground ginger into a
16oz glass with sugar, lime and club soda...and I thought it was spicy.

I make it *really* strong and mix with a lot of ice. I can make
maybe 5 liters from all that. If your making Vernor's strength
ginger ale, then it would make 10-12 liters. Canada dry - 30
liters or more from 2lbs of ginger (add more sugar, of course).

The finer you grate the ginger, the less time you need to steep
it. Don't inhale the steam. No need to peel the ginger
beforehand.

-sw

Boron Elgar <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 13 Apr 2006 21:53:16 GMT, "Syssi" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

"Roberta" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I AGREE!!! Vernor's is the only ginger ale to me. I grew up with
it, never had anything else for years (I was probably 30 before I
had any other kind) Nothing else tastes like ginger ale to me. It's
also very cheap in Michigan - cheaper than most sodas. In Virginia
however, it is close to $6.00 a six pack of cans...We don't get it
often 🙂

Roberta (in VA)

=========

Hmmm... Seems to me I ran across a 'homemade Ginger Ale' recipe
recently that is very much like the one Dennis posted. Sounds tasty
to me. In fact, IIRC, Emeril made Ginger Ale on one of his episodes a
year or two ago...

As for Vernor's... Pffffffttttttt.... it *used* to be good but now
doesn't even have the bite of a toothless dog! Used to be, you could
almost choke on the ginger just by smelling it... now it's just as
mild as any other flavored water! When I used to travel, I tried to
buy it in different states hoping that maybe a different bottling
plant might be making it as I remembered... but no such luck. I still
drink it on occasion when it's offered but no longer bother purchasing
it.

Indeed. When I went to college, I lived 2 blocks from the plant.
Vernor's just isn't the same any more.

Quoted message said:

Dennis, I'm saving your recipe to try soon. Seems to me I have a
couple of pounds in the freezer just waiting to be used.

If you come up with something that truly tastes like Vernor's, I'll
try it. Until then, I have my fond memories of Vernor's and Boston
Coolers to keep me happy.

Boron

Reeds
http://www.reedsgingerbrew.com/brews.html

I have had their "extra ginger brew" ginger ale and it's quite strong. My
Trader Joe's carries it. It's just too much sugar for me lately.

Andy

Syssi said:

As for Vernor's... Pffffffttttttt.... it *used* to be good but now doesn't
even have the bite of a toothless dog! Used to be, you could almost choke
on the ginger just by smelling it... now it's just as mild as any other
flavored water!

Vernor's is nothing like what it used to be. It could be that
our taste buds are getting older, too.

The bext Ginger Ale comes from King Jamacain Restaurant, but it's
only distributed in the San Francisco area.

Blenheim is only half as strong, and somewhat acceptable (but
expensive).

-sw

Syssi said:

As for Vernor's... Pffffffttttttt.... it *used* to be good but now doesn't
even have the bite of a toothless dog!

Yep. I've tried a buncha boutique soda brands of ginger ale with no
luck. They all suck. Hasn't been a decent ginger ale since [censored] n'
Bull Ginger Beer. Wish I could find some, locally.

nb