Ginger has been used in cooking and medicine since ancient times because of the many health benefits- ginger may have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and other healthful properties. So, what is ginger good for? Some of the possible benefits include:

Improve digestion and reduce gas
Relieve nausea and motion sickness
Supports cardiovascular health
Reduce inflammation
Ease colds and flus
Lower blood sugar
Treat chronic indigestion
Improved brain function and protection against Alzheimer’s

And what do you do when you have lots of fresh ginger at home? Make simple syrup! Not just any simple syrup- syrup without any processed sugar.

It’s so quick and easy: Cut off or peel the ginger then grate a few tablespoons of the fresh ginger, add it to a saucepan with about a cup of water and boiled it. Strain it and added 1/4 honey to the ginger water. Let it cool and store it in a jar in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

I made a delicious Ginger Martini by adding a few spoonfuls of the ginger syrup to vodka, a squeeze of lime, shake with ice, strain into a glass and top with club soda.

INGREDIENTS

about 3 finger-sized pieces of fresh ginger root
1 cup water
1/4 cup honey

HOW TO MAKE IT

Cut off or peel the skin of the ginger then grate a few tablespoons, add it to a saucepan with the water and boiled it. Strain it and added 1/4 honey to the ginger water. Let it cool and store it in a jar in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR GINGER SYRUP

Make a Ginger Martini or Ginger Margarita
Add it to hot or iced coffee or tea
Make healthy Ginger Ale by adding a few spoonfuls to club soda
Use in place of maple syrup on pancakes
Add to smoothies
Use as a marinade for chicken
Add it to rice or quinoa while cooking
Bottle it, add a cute label and give it as a gift

I hope you like it as much as I do! Let me know what YOU do with your ginger syrup.