Syrup for Ginger and Lemon Italian Soda

Submitted by zeldaz51

"Adapted by Tasting Table from a recipe by Tad Weyland, chef at Heirloom LA, Los Angeles. The syrup tastes like a lemon drop with candied ginger thrown into the mix."

 

• Ready In: 35mins
• Ingredients: 5
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups unbleached cane sugar, preferably organic
• 3⁄4 cup water
• 1⁄2 lb fresh gingerroot, washed and sliced
• 1 large lemon, preferably organic, washed and sliced into rounds. Reserve half of the rounds for garnish
• 3⁄4 cup seltzer water or 3/4 cup sparkling water, per serving

directions

1. Make double-strength simple syrup:

2. Place sugar and water in medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, using a wooden spoon to stir occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool 5 minutes.

3. Make simple syrup into flavored syrup:

4. Place the ginger, lemon, and the simple syrup in a blender jar, cover the jar, and blend on lowest speed until the solid ingredients are roughly chopped, about 1 minute.
5. Turn off the blender and let the mixture steep for 10 minutes. Repeat, this time blending the syrup on medium speed for 1 minute, then shut it off and let steep 10 minutes more.
6. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve lined with 2 layers of water-moistened cheesecloth over a medium bowl. Store syrup tightly covered in the refrigerator up to a week.

7. Make sodas:

8. To serve, fill a glass with crushed ice and 3/4 cup seltzer. Top with 1/4 cup ginger-lemon syrup and stir. Adjust flavor with more syrup or seltzer as needed. Garnish with a lemon wheel.