Homemade Ginger Soda With Strawberry “Ice”
Yield: 6 servings
This is a delicious recipe perfect for a hot summer day. A simple ginger and lime syrup comes together in minutes paired with a no fuss strawberry granite infused with a hint of chamomile. Simple and sophisticated, this refreshing treat will impress your family and friends.
You will need 6 champagne flutes or 6 6ounce tall glasses
To prepare the ginger soda:
½ cup water
2 tablespoons peeled and grated fresh ginger
¾ cup organic cane sugar
¼ cup fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups very cold club soda
In a small saucepan combine the water, ginger, and sugar. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2-3 minutes until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add lime juice and salt. Chill for 2-3 hours or overnight. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, and chill syrup.
To prepare the strawberry “ice”
1 pound organic strawberries
2 tablespoons organic cane sugar
½ cup water
¼ cup sugar
1 bag chamomile tea
Pinch of salt
Wash and hull the strawberries and slice in half. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar, mix and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour. This process helps to extract the natural juices in the strawberries. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan bring the water and sugar to a boil and simmer on medium heat for 2-3 minutes until sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and immediately add the chamomile tea. Steep until the syrup cools down for about 10-15 minutes. Remove the tea bag being sure to squeeze out any excess liquid.
Combine strawberries, infused syrup, and a pinch of salt in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth. Strain, and transfer to an 8-inch pan. Freeze for 2-3 hours until mixture is firm. Once strawberry puree is firm, scrape vigorously with a fork to break up mixture to resemble pieces of ice, but still leaving a handful of larger chunks. The final mixture should have strawberry pieces of all diferrent sizes the largest being about the size of a dime.
Whipped cream
½ cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon confectioners sugar
Combine both ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl. Whip on high speed until soft peaks form. Chill
To assemble:
Chill 6 champagne flutes in the refrigerator. Combine 3 cups cold club soda with ¾ cup of ginger lime syrup. Fill each glass with strawberry ice and immediately pour enough ginger soda to top off the glass. Place a dollop of whipped cream on each and serve immediately.
