(Non-alcoholic) Ginger Spritzer

Here are some places that you should take this spritzer:

• Family gatherings
• New Year's Eve parties
• Any place you are in need of refreshment

Here is one place that you should not take this spritzer:

• Your partner's basketball game at the local community center

Apparently if you sit on the bleachers reading cookbooks and sipping this from a glass jar, it appears that you are sneaking in an alcoholic beverage.  (Believe me, I wish I had... but I totally didn't.)  But, should you find yourself in a situation where you are confronted by community center staff about the beverage in question, simply explain that it is a non-alcoholic ginger spritzer and tell them how you made it. If they're decent folk, instead of kicking you out they'll just ask for the recipe.

This spritzer is totally easy to make, but with a few lemon peel spirals it becomes uber-fancy and party-ready.  All you need is some fresh ginger root, (filtered) tap water, sparkling water, and lemon and ice, if desired.  You'll start by boiling the ginger and tap water to make a concentrated ginger tea.

If you wanted, you could even stop after this step and just enjoy the tea.  Ginger is wonderful for aiding digestion, nausea, and abdominal cramping.  This tea is a bit spicy, but it is one of my favorite treats to have after dinner while eating dark chocolate.

Once you have your ginger tea ready, chill it until serving. Then mix your tea with sparkling water, add ice and lemon, and serve!  I don't typically sweeten mine, but you could easily add some agave syrup or stevia in if desired.  If you are serving this for a crowd, then double or triple this recipe as neccessary. You can also adjust how strong you want the spritzer by adding more or less ginger.  This spritzer is the perfect non-alcoholic refreshment for New Year's and is a healthy, tasty treat that your body will enjoy as much as your taste buds.  Cheers!

Ginger Spritzer
Serves 2

one two-inch piece of fresh ginger root, chopped
1.5 cups of plain (filtered) water
16 oz sparkling water
Ice
Lemon for garnish

Bring water to a boil, add ginger, and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes - 1 hour.  Drain tea and chill in the refrigerator until serving.  Mix tea with sparkling water, add ice and garnish with lemon wedge or spiral.