Over the weekend here there were threats of a big snowstorm that would snuggle the City under a few inches of snow. For a girl who grew up in the South, in a place where snow happened about three or four times in eighteen years, an actual biggish storm still seems so glamorous and romantic.
In a state of snow anticipation, the idea for this winter drink popped into my mind. We spiked the classic Hot Lemon-Ginger with apple cider and served it with a heaping spoonful of good, raw honey on the side. This concoction, minus the apple element, is often given medicinally, and, especially if you are feeling under the weather, don’t skimp a bit on the honey which will coat your throat and is anti-bacterial. We were all feeling just fine but felt that we had better have a cup or two since, well, one can never be too careful.
It turns out that The Storm all but passed us by, with a bit of flurry on Saturday, and just some ice and whatnot lasting into Sunday. Even though it didn’t snow much, it’s still freezing. Good thing we’re all set for liquid sustenance.
Hot Honeyed Lemon-Apple-Ginger
*4-8 lumps of ginger the size of a quarter, peeled (spicy, to taste)
*3 c. apple cider or apple juice (look for a local variety)
*the juice from one lemon
*one tablespoon of raw honey (local varieties will be the most beneficial)
Together: Have your mini-chef place the ginger coins in a heavy-bottomed pot and cover with 8 cups of water.
Big Person: Bring this a boil over a high heat. Turn the heat down to medium, cover partially, and let simmer till the water level reduces by about half. Stir in the apple cider or juice and let the mixture come back up to a simmer for a minute or so.
Remove from the heat, spoon out the ginger, and stir in the fresh lemon juice.
Together: To serve, have your mini-chef measure out a tablespoon-sized side of the honey to place alongside the drink. To drink, you can stir your honey into the hot delicious ginger or slurp the honey and chase it with a glug.
