It's always great when you can make a healthier alternative to your favourite treats! Here is a syrup that you can use with club soda or any sparkling water to make your own homemade ginger ale. In our humble opinion, Xagave is the best tasting low glycemic sweetner on the planet. It is available in one gallon or 18oz bottles and is derived from the Agave plant in Central Mexico. For more information on the health benefits of Xagave click here
The title is a little misleading because mine didn't actually make a 'syrup', it was more of a cordial. This is probably because I used Xagave instead of sugar.
 The ingredients are simple:
2 cups of peeled and chopped ginger root
Peel of two lemons (I used a veggie peeler to minimize the amount of pith)
6 cups water
1 cup of Xagave or 2 cups of white sugar
Place the water, ginger and lemon peel in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and allow to steep for 1 hour
(This actually steeped for closer to 2 hours. I got distracted!)
If you like the smell of ginger, you will appreciate how this lovely brew fills the kitchen with its fresh aroma
 After steeping the ginger, drain the mixture through a sieve lined with a cheesecloth.
 Return the drained juice to the saucepan. Add the sweetner and bring to a boil, whisking regularly.
Reduce heat and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes.
Had I used sugar, I would have continued to reduce this until it became a nice thick syrup.
But I kept tasting it and even though i was kind of disappointed with the consistency, I was more than happy with the taste!
Cool, then pour into glass jar, bottle or container of your choice. Keep refrigerated.
To make up your ginger ale, pour 2 Tablespoons of syrup over ice and add 8oz of sparkling water, club soda or even tonic water. Throw in a slice or some frozen raspberries and enjoy!
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