DRINK UP!
My mother has always believed in the healing power of food and drink. Ginger soothes the stomach, turmeric stops a throbbing headache, lemon and honey lubricate a sore throat, and ice cream sundaes heal a broken heart or, at the very least, ease the pain.
This month’s drink is inspired by one of the teas my mom brewed on days I was home sick from school. The potion was a cure-all for strep, the flu, a stomach bug, or the common cold, and it tasted delicious, unlike many of the other medicines I choked down as a kid.
In the base syrup for my lemonade, or Lemon-aide rather, I use the same ingredients my mother did—ginger, turmeric, honey, and warming spices—though my rendition may be a bit less healing due to the inclusion of a good bit of sugar, though the sweetness is good for the soul. I then mix the syrup with fresh lemon juice and top it with some seltzer, resulting in a light and bright—in both flavor and color—soda.
I’ve also included the recipe for a Lemon-aide Lemon Drop, which utilizes the Turmeric-Ginger Syrup for a more complex version of the classic vodka cocktail. Cheers! Cheers! Cheers! Oh, and P.S. Proceeds from paid subs this month will be donated to help some of those affected by the LA fires.
THE RECIPES
TURMERIC-GINGER SYRUP
makes one 16-ounce jar of syrup
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