I usually only drink water, but if there is one drink I truly do love it would be ginger ale. The good thing about ginger-ale is that it can be created at home, with all natural ingredients.

If you are sick of the modern and unhealthy sugar-laden soda drinks then, this could be the perfect drink for you. Sometimes the water can be boring, and we all need a little treat every now and again, but we do not want to hurt ourselves in the process. Ingredients like High Fructose Syrup or aspartame are deal breakers for me.

This version of ginger ale uses fermented ginger, fermented drinks and foods have been utilized since ancient times on account of their health benefits. This particular formula uses a short brew method so that it does not become alcoholic.

Ginger has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years and is said to help with digestive disorders, reduce fever, cough, and help the circulatory system.

Ingredients:

• 2-inches of fresh ginger
• ½ cup organic sugar or preferred natural sweetener
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 9 cups filtered water
• ½ cup whey

Method:

Add three cups of water, ginger root, and sugar into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer the mixture for about five minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved and until the ginger is fragrant. Remove the mix from the heat and add in the additional water. Allow the mixture to cool, and add in the fresh lemon and whey. Transfer to a 2-quart glass mason jar with a tight-fitting lid, stir well and put on the lid.  Leave on the counter for 2-3 days until carbonated and transfer to the fridge where it will last indefinitely. It should bubble and hiss like a soda when the lid is removed. This is very temperature dependent and the mixture may need to be burped or stirred during this fermentation time on the counter. Watch careful and make sure the mixture does not become too carbonated because the jar could explode.

Sources:

http://www.diynatural.com/how-to-make-ginger-ale/

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/how-to-make-natural-ginger-ale/

http://www.hansens.com/us/en/products/soda/hansens-soda/ginger-ale/

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-14488/diy-all-natural-ginger-ale.html