Ginger-Tea Lemonade
Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous here in Pittsburgh. The temperature hovered in the upper-60’s all day, the sun was warm like your favorite blanket, and there was a wispy breeze that shot through the trees every so often. A perfect spring day that gave off a hint of summer, just waiting in the wings to bloom completely. It was the type of day that made me wish I had a house in the country with a wrap-around porch (or a house on the beach, with a patio or balcony overlooking the ocean), a big comfortable chair to sit in, a warm afternoon breeze, a favorite book, and some sort of ice cold, refreshing drink. That was my daydream. And this is my daydream drink.
Most people recognize the typical half-lemonade, half-iced tea drink as an “Arnold Palmer” – a drink popularized by its namesake, the golfer Arnold Palmer. Truth be told, I can usually take or leave both lemonade and iced tea. I like them well enough, but never crave them. However, black tea with fresh lemon juice, a ginger-spiked simple syrup and the refreshing bubbly of sparkling water sounded like summer perfection to me. And boy was I right. It’s definitely the drink I will make to celebrate my dream house in the country or on the beach!
Black tea, lemons, ginger and bubbles now seem like the most obvious combination of ingredients. Garnish with a little mint if you’d like and I think you’re set for summer. I know I am.
Two years ago: Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte
Three years ago: Homemade Marshmallows
Ginger-Tea Lemonade
Ingredients
For the Ginger Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (250 ml) water
- 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
For the Lemonade:
- 2 cups (500 ml) water
- 3 black tea bags, preferably English breakfast tea
- 1-1/3 cups (112.33 g) Ginger Simple Syrup, recipe follows
- ⅔ cup (162.67 ml) fresh lemon juice, from 3 to 4 lemons
- 1 cup (474 ml) sparkling water or club soda, chilled
- 2 cups (28 g) ice
- Lemon slices, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- 1. Make the Ginger Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, over medium heat, combine the sugar, water and ginger. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes. Strain before using.
- 2. In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil over high heat. Remove the pan from the heat and add the tea bags. Stir and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Remove the tea bags and discard. Add the Ginger Simple Syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water.
- 3. Put the ice in a large pitcher. Pour the lemonade mixture over the ice. Garnish with lemon slices and serve.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
We have a bunch of lemons in the fridge and we aren’t using them up, so I broached the idea of a fancy drink for tomorrow’s supper. I just made the simple syrup and brewed the tea I just have to squeeze the lemons and hubby needs to buy some sparkling water.
I will definitely try this recipe! Thank you so much for sharing!
This sounds delicious, I love lemon and ginger and this is perfect and refreshing for summer.
How does lavender lemonade sound? That’s what I’ve been drinking. I did a search for “lavender” at your site and came up with nothing so far, so maybe I’ll send the recipe. =)
Yours looks lovely! I’m not fond of the way ginger bites the back of my throat, but I may try it someday anyway.
Oooh that sounds lovely! I don’t have any lavender recipes, so feel free to pass along any that you think I’d like!
Well, summer’s over, and I got WAY behind on my email (and my life!), but here’s the recipe at last…
Lavender Lemonade
Boil 3 tablespoons of lavender in 2 cups of water for about 5 minutes. Cool and pour through a strainer. Add the lavender water to 1 quart lemonade. Pour over ice. Garnish with lemon slices and lavender blossoms. (The lemonade may be made with 3 cups water, 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup sugar. Adjust to taste.)
The fun thing about this recipe is the way the lemonade turns pink as you add the lavender water (which is not pink) to it. It’s like a magic trick! =)
I found high quality, inexpensive lavender suitable for culinary use at Atlantic Spice…their Lavender #1 is only $6 for 8 oz. and that’s a lot of lavender!