Ginger Syrup With Variations

Drizzle over ice cream, glaze desserts, pour over fresh fruit or use in hot or cold tea. Mix several tablespoons with seltzer, sparkling water or club soda to make ginger ale and don't forget a splash of lime or orange . Good for cocktails, too, like margaritas, martinis and mojitos. May be stored, refrigerated, for up to 2 weeks. Ginger Simple Syrup (no optionals added) is fabulous in Ginger Peach Margaritas.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Yields: 2 cups

Ingredients

• Ginger Simple Syrup

• 1  cup water
• 2  cups granulated sugar (can sub Splenda)
• 1⁄2-3⁄4 cup  peeled and thinly sliced ginger (or more for stronger flavor)

• Optional Addition 1

• 2  tablespoons  cloves plus 1 cinnamon sticks

• Optional Addition 2

• 1  split vanilla bean

• Optional Addition 3

• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns

• Optional Addition 4

• 1  bunch mint

Directions

1. Bring water, sugar, ginger and optional ingredients 1, 2 or 3, if using, to a boil in a 2-quart non-reactive saucepan, then stir until sugar is dissolved. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes. Pour ginger syrup through a sieve into a bowl, discarding ginger. Chill.
2. For Ginger-Mint (Option 4): Bring water, sugar and mint to a boil in a 2-quart non-reactive saucepan, then stir until sugar is dissolved. Simmer about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes. Pour ginger syrup through a sieve into a bowl, discarding ginger and mint. Chill.