Lemon and Ginger Cordial Base Recipe

The recipe

Exact quantities, then the method.

A lemon and ginger cordial earns its place in the fridge by doing several jobs: a warming hot cup in winter, a sharp ginger soda in summer, the base for a hot toddy, even a quick glaze for salmon or a stir-fry. Boiling the fresh ginger first, then a strong covered steep, gives it a proper kick.

Source: teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for the Lemon and Ginger Cordial Base recipe. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/recipes/cocktails/lemon-and-ginger-cordial-base/

It uses Teapigs Lemon and Ginger, a pure caffeine-free infusion. Fifteen minutes, and it makes about 500ml.

15 min Makes about 500ml Easy Tea Cocktails (Adults Only)

You'll need

6 Teapigs Lemon and Ginger tea temples
400ml water
A 4cm piece of fresh ginger, sliced
250g caster sugar
Juice of 2 lemons

Method

Boil the water with the sliced fresh ginger for 3 minutes, then take off the heat, add the 6 temples and steep, covered, 8 minutes for a strong, hot base.
Lift the temples out, strain out the ginger, and return the brew to the pan with the sugar.
Stir over low heat just until the sugar dissolves, then simmer 4 minutes to a light syrup.
Take off the heat, stir in the lemon juice, and cool.
Pour into a clean bottle. Hot cup: 1 part base to 4 parts just boiled water. Ginger soda: 1 part base, 4 parts cold soda. Toddy: add a measure of whisky to the hot cup.
Store the lemon and ginger base in the fridge and use it quickly; home made cordials like this get no keeping time on our pages. Caffeine free.

What you'll end up with: A sharp, gingery cordial that turns into a warming hot cup, a ginger soda, a hot toddy or a savoury glaze. Caffeine-free.

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