Today I craved ginger ale, and didn't want to wait the two days to ferment it. I had a 5-inch ginger root laying around, so I decided to make a syrup.
I peeled the ginger and cut it into approximately 3/4" chunks, threw it in 2c water and 2c sugar, and followed the previously linked process for flavored syrups. Afterward I cut the sugary ginger chunks into thin strips, and mixed them with lemon sorbet.

My new roommate Marin (house of 4 now) put some ginger chunks into mashed potatoes with broccoli and it's pretty great too.

2 oz ginger syrup to 6 oz soda water makes a great soda.

Flavored Syrups

Flavored syrups are surprisingly easy to make. Here are two I've made recently, and a few serving suggestions.

Lavender Syrup
4 sprigs of lavender, preferably including flowers
1 c sugar
1 c water

Combine sugar and water in small pan, cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Add sprigs of lavender and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Remove lavender sprigs, put syrup in separate container and chill.
Goes very well with lemonade.


Rosemary Syrup
2 sprigs rosemary
1 c sugar
1 c water

Do everything you did with the lavender syrup, but with rosemary instead. I haven't tried this with anything but lemon vodka, which is great.

Simple, delicious little details.