Friday, January 20, 2017

Squid Brews: Orange Honey Ginger Ale

I have successfully brewed my own soda from scratch.  The recipe for orange honey ginger ale came from Homemade Soda by Andrew Schloss.  While my first experiment from the book (see here) was somewhat underwhelming, the results this time were far more successful.  Both wife and daughter are ginger addicts and they were pleased.

The most difficult part of the project was the prep work for the syrup.  Grating a half-cup of gingerroot is a lot of work.  Sterilizing bottles isn't exactly fun but it's not difficult.  Most of the process is just waiting.  Once you bottle, you let the yeast do its carbonating thing for a week-and-a-half, then it's ready.  And carbonate it does!  Opening the bottles over the sink is essential.

I don't think the gallon I made will last long.  I am saving one 16 oz bottle for Mock's daughter.  She's a big ginger ale fan.  My own daughter has already put in a request for me to make more.  I'll hang on to this recipe but I'm eager to move on to root beer.

17 comments:

  1. Reminds me of when sorrel is made over the holidays. My mother decided to try blending it the other day and while it was way quicker than boiling, it just wasn't as amazing. Though it was still pretty good and getting rid of the leftover pulp was quick. Oh yes ginger, we use it in our sorrel. Ginger is a lovely spice.

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    1. Sorrel... I've never had it but I am definitely intrigued.

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  2. This sounds interesting but I know I will always stick with my OJ and soda water:)

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  3. That sounds interesting.
    I'm a fan of ginger as is my wife, though, yeah, grating it is a pain. Sometimes, I use the garlic masher thing that I can't remember the name of right now, and that works pretty well other than all the fiber you end up with.

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    1. My wife suggests I use the food processor next time - probably a good idea.

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  4. This sounds so good !
    My Mum told me stories of when her family made Beer for the adults and Root Beer for the children. We have come full circle and are now home brewing again.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. I mean to try it again sometime soon but, that said, I am not sure that home brewing beer is worth the effort when there is so much excellent beer available commercially, especially where I live. On the other hand, the soda I have just made is frankly dazzling and unlike anything I have ever had out of a can. Plus, soda is way easier than beer.

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  5. This sounds heavenly! I will have to try making this. Thank you for posting this recipe. I always love trying to make a good soda.

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  6. Woohoo! Congrats! Sounds like something I would totally try.

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  7. I've made my own ginger beer heaps, even had a couple of bottles explode. That was fun. Nothing like the taste of home brew when it works out! (((licks lips)))

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    1. I just started a batch of beer over the weekend and it has had quite an active initial blow off - glad I had it in a covered container!

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  8. Sounds tasty! Glad your wife and daughter enjoyed the recipe so much. Asking for another batch is always a good sign. Thanks or sharing!
    ~Jess

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  9. You are such a culinarily-adventurous family. When the apocalypse comes, you folks will have the best-stocked larder, fo sho.
    V :)

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    1. We do alright. It helps that the girl is willing to try things.

      I'm not so sure about apocalyptic preparations but we generally eat well.

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