I think ginger has to be one of my all-time favorite flavors—from ginger ale to the ginger in my Chinese food, and everything in between.
While my favorite way to enjoy ginger is undoubtedly in its freshest form, sometimes that’s just not practical. Here are 3 of my favorite ways to get my fix when I’m not in the kitchen or at the table.
There’s a chewy ginger candy, some yummy ginger tea, and a deliciously fragrant bottled ginger syrup—the main ingredient in my Spicy Ginger-tinis.
But first: Four facts about ginger
+Ginger is a rhizome (basically—but not technically—an underground root). It comes mainly from Jamaica, India, Africa, and China.
+When you buy it in the store, you want to look for pieces that have smooth, almost shiny skin. It keeps in the fridge for about 3 weeks, well wrapped.
+For cooks, one of the most helpful things to know about fresh ginger is that it clabbers (i.e. sours & curdles) milk.
+Many people also use ginger as a folk remedy for indigestion and other stomach ailments.
OK, on to the treats.
1. Ginger Chews by The Ginger People
The Ginger People product line has been around for a while, but it’s only recently that I’ve started to see their happy little ginger guy in more places. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but when I reach for a sugary treat, it’s usually gummy or chewy. These Ginger Chews totally fit the bill.
They’re peppery and sweet at the same time. They also come double wrapped (in a wrapper that’s lined with parchment-y paper), so they have a lot of old-fashioned candy charm.
In addition to their original flavor, you can also get their ginger-y goodness in Spicy Apple
One word of caution. Like certain caramels, these are really chewy, so watch your fillings!
Where to find them
If you have a Trader Joe’s near you, I recently got a 5 oz. bag there for $1.69. If not, The Ginger People sell them online. A 3 oz. bag is $2.35. (They also sell a bunch of other neat stuff. Their Ginger Juice is amazing stuff.)
2. Organic Ginger Aid Tea by Traditional Medicinals
I’ve tried a lot of ginger teas, and this one has the truest ginger flavor, without a lot of herbal or flowery extras thrown in.
This tea has a little stevia, lemon myrtle, and blackberry leaf in it, but honestly, you hardly know they’re there. The stevia adds just a twinge of sweetness (but not sugar). Mainly, the tea has a strong, clean, spicy ginger flavor.
I drink it plain, or use one bag plus a bag of regular black tea for a heady, ginger-infused brew.
Where to find it
I get my Ginger Aid in the organic section of my local grocery store for about $4.69 a box. If you can’t find it in person, iHerb.com sells a 16-bag box for about $4.40. (Traditional Medicinals also sells it online, but for $5.49).
3. Monin Ginger Syrup
This stuff is just divine. It’s seriously hot, just sweet enough, and plenty pungent. Use it in cocktails (see below), or in any recipe where you want a little bit of sweet, ginger flavor.
According to Monin, this syrup can be used with dairy products such as milk without clabbering (souring) it, so it would be a great way to add ginger to ice cream recipes, etc.
Where to find it
Monin sells a 750 mL bottle for $7.95.
Hey, what about that ginger martini?
Yep, yep. Here you go. Use a piece of crystallized ginger in the bottom of the glass. For a cleaner (and slightly spicier) taste, use a piece of fresh, peeled ginger.
Spicy Ginger-tini
1 small hunk of crystallized or fresh, peeled ginger
2 oz. vodka
1 oz. Monin ginger syrup
Makes 1 Spicy Ginger-tini
Drop your piece of ginger into the bottom of a martini glass.
Fill a cocktail shaker three-quarters full with ice. Measure out the vodka and ginger syrup. Pour them into your shaker. Cap and shake hard and fast to combine and chill.
Strain into a martini glass.
Serve and enjoy!
For a milder (and juicier!) cocktail, add an ounce or two of fresh orange juice and make an Orange Ginger-tini.
Orange Ginger-tini
1 small hunk of crystallized or fresh, peeled ginger
2 oz. vodka
1 oz. Monin ginger syrup
2 oz. fresh orange juice
Makes 1 Orange Ginger-tini
Follow the instructions above, adding the orange juice to the shaker with the vodka and ginger syrup.
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