Honey Ginger Ale

Just in time for the heat of midsummer - a refreshing, all natural thirst quencher. Compare the ingredients in this recipe to the stuff listed on a can of store-bought soda and you will never buy the commercial stuff again.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 large knobs of fresh ginger root
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 liter of chilled soda water
• juice from 1 fresh lime
• Fresh mint for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS

• Peel ginger; slice and dice into small pieces.
• Take one cup of the ginger pieces (loosely packed) and place in small sauce pan with 1 1/2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, and then cover the pan and reduce to very low simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and allow ginger to seep in hot water for another 10 minutes.
• Pour 1 cup of the ginger liquid through a fine mesh strainer and into a 2 cup glass measuring cup. Add 1/2 raw honey and stir until completely blended.
• Pour ginger honey blend into a pitcher and then VERY GENTLY add the liter of soda water. Add lime juice. Stir gently to blend.
• Add ice to serving glasses and pour in the ginger ale.
• Garnish with sprig of mint (optional).