FOOD NEWS
Ginger Wine Is A Refreshing Drink With Limitless Possibilities
BY SIMONE GERBER
For a drink with year-round versatility and a refreshing yet warm flavor, look no further than East India’s ginger wine, which can even be enjoyed by those who don't drink alcohol.
Ginger wine is a sweet and spicy drink that originated in India in the early 1900s, and was made popular in the rare cookbook “The East Indian Cookery Book.”
This "wine" is a blend of fresh ginger, sugar, chilies, lime, water, and spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. To make this drink, heat the sugar in a pot until caramelized.
Add water, ginger, lime juice, and spices and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it steep at a simmer. Finally, strain the solids from the beverage and serve when cool.
The resulting tonic is sweet and tangy yet spicy and bracing. Since ginger wine is a bit syrupy, it's great both on its own and mixed with seltzers, sodas, or cocktails.
Due to its rich texture, ginger wine can also be enjoyed as a topping for ice cream, rolled up inside cinnamon rolls, or served alongside charcuterie.
Aside from its delicious flavor, ginger wine has been touted to ease indigestion, fight colds, and soothe sore throats, thanks to its anti-inflammatory ingredients.