Recipe: Citrus Ginger Juice

It’s hot! We are experiencing one of those glorious warm spring spells where the flowers smell even sweeter and we gravitate towards outside. While it is still essential that we observe social distancing, now is the time find a sunny staircase out our back door, or spot in our yard, or open window to enjoy and appreciate a cold beverage and the vibrant world all around us.

I am generally not a fan of sweet beverages, but love to make juice for myself, when I can control the sugar and add lots of sparkling water and ice to get it just right. This Lime, Grapefruit, and Ginger Juice is one of my favorites in the spring. It is bright and acidic, with the warm and soothing ginger to add more depth. Perhaps a neighbor has a lemon tree just loaded down with fruit? This recipe is incredibly adaptable - lemons, sweeter meyer lemons, oranges, blood oranges, really any citrus works. I just taste as I go with the simple syrup until it hits the sweet spot I’m looking for.

Lime, Grapefruit and Ginger Juice
Heidi Swanson, 101cookbooks.com

• 3 tablespoons natural cane sugar

• 2 tablespoons ginger, peeled then grated

• 1 cup / 240 ml water

• very scant 1/2 cup fresh lime juice(aprox. 2 juicy limes)

• 1 1/3 cups (aprox. 2 juicy grapefruits)

In a small saucepan, over medium heat, stir together the sugar, ginger, and water, making like a simple syrup. Simmer for 5 minutes, transfer to a glass bowl or cup, and place in the freezer for a few minutes to cool.

After the syrup is cool, strain the mixture into a pitcher along with the lime and grapefruit juices. Depending on how your like your citrus, you can either strain the juices or leave them as is (pulpy). Stir and taste, adding more sugar if you want. Serve straight in a tiny chilled glass with ice or add sparkling water.

Makes about 2 cups.