Spring Fever

It seems that my taste buds have been hit with spring fever.
i'm craving fresh, crispy flavor sensations these days
and not just fresh greens
although i'm enjoying loads of those (please stay tuned).
This spring fever has me needing sparkling drinks, too.
Being a teetotlaer, they are drinks i can enjoy any ol' time.

Even though i don't have all the ingredients
my mint won't make its debut for some weeks yet
i could not resist putting together the liquid essentials for
The Gramercy Tavern's Ginger Swizzle.
It could not be easier:

Using a reamer
i squeeze the juice of 1/2 lime into a glass
then i add about 2/3 cup of
excellent, outstanding, superior, strong-flavored ginger beer or ginger ale *see below.
Take a small swig and adjust the lime-ginger ale ratio to my satisfaction.
Given that i use very strong ginger brews
i almost always add a swash of seltzer to the glass as well.

In the spring, summer and fall i add a small clutch of fresh mint leaves to the glass
then muddle them a bit with the reamer.
i add crushed ice only in the heat of summer.

*Now, a very important note regarding ginger beer and/or ginger ales:

Here in the states i would recommend Reed's Premium Ginger Brew
as it says on their web site, these are "non-alcoholic...freshly brewed in a brewery using fresh ginger root."
Blenheim Ginger Ale  is even better
a super delicious, extra-extra strong elixir.
In fact, every time i bring a bottle of Blenheim to my mouth
the pungent ginger molecules
streaming up invisibly from the long, glass neck and into my throat make me cough.
i cannot drink it straight. i always dilute Blenheim with a bit of seltzer.
It is, without doubt, my favorite ginger soda.
But, since it is nearly impossible to find, i settle for Reed's
which is not as strong but still very intensely flavored.
People who have never tasted anything but Schweppes or Canada Dry
will be startled with their first sip of these excellent drinks.

i've read that Ginger People's ginger beer is mighty fine stuff
but i haven't found it any of my local markets yet...but i'm eager to get my hands on a bottle.

Comments

[Lucy]

I love gingery drinks of all kinds, but it's hard to find anything here, it's just not a flavour the French seem to have acquired a taste for...

[Elaine]

Simple ginger cordial recipe here
http://www.recipezaar.com/37364
The best ready-made
http://www.fentimans.com
http://www.belvoirfruitfarms.co.uk/page.php?pid=79

mmm ... ginger - the Blenheim sounds gorgeous . I'm craving salad and crunchy things - do you have Nashi/Asian pears? I keep them in the fridge as they are perfect for this kind of craving - particularly icy cold :)

[Jon]

Ahhh, those were the days (or that was the day?)...

[Catherine]

Anything with lime & ginger....yum!
I have spring fever myself!
Wishing you sunny, warm, spring day's Zephyr!
Cat