Fresh Ginger, Ginger Ale

Here in New York City there has recently been a huge uproar because our Mayor wants to ban the sale of large size sugary, syrupy soft drinks.  While I know it is unhealthy to consume soda, I believe it is unconstitutional to be told what you can and cannot consume.  Instead of treating people like children and taking things away, I believe you can educate people so that they can make better choices.  (Sorry about the rant, this is a sore spot for me.)  I personally gave up soda about a year ago.  Even after a year I sometimes get the yearning for something sparkling.  I do drink a lot of seltzer water but sometimes you want a little extra treat.  Well I have found a soda that I feel good about drinking and it is actually good for you, Fresh Ginger, Ginger Ale!

So what is soooo special about this Fresh Ginger, Ginger Ale, it is made with only fresh ginger and pure cane sugar. There is no ginger flavoring, extract or oil.  The ginger ale is unfiltered and the bottle contains about half an inch of finely ground ginger in the bottom.  They have a few different flavors but the basic formula remains the same.  This stuff even provides iron, calcium and a little vitamin A and C.

I was in an Asian market in Brooklyn actually looking for the ingredients for my Irish Moss recipe.  While my husband was diligently looking for my moss I stumbled upon an unassuming bottle of liquid with some form of sediment at the bottom.  Well my curiosity took over and to my delight I realized that this beauty was all natural and that was actual ginger on the bottom.  So of course I bought two of every flavor, one for me and one for my daughter.  As soon as we got back to the car the taste testing began.

Before opening you have to GENTLY turn it upside down a few times to mix.  Please do not vigorously shake or you will have a ginger facial.  It was pleasantly sweetened, light, crisp and gave you that familiar slight ginger burn in the back of your throat.  To my surprise the ginger is not overpowering and it is not syrupy sweet.  My daughter was my second opinion.  I chose her because she absolutely HATES ginger.  So I knew she would give me an unbiased opinion.  She absolutely loved them, so much that we were fighting over the last few bottles.

Fresh Ginger, Ginger Ale currently has four flavors; Original Ginger, Jasmine Green Tea, Passionfruit and Pomegranate.  They are all delightful!

Original Ginger is made with only fresh ginger and pure cane sugar, this is a fundamentally simple and delicious, spicy beverage. Unfiltered-the ginger particles settle as it sits---it is the natural pale yellow-green color of fresh ginger.

Jasmine Tea ginger ale is infused this with a fine, whole leaf green jasmine tea from Taiwan.

Pomegranate and Hibiscus is added the fresh ginger and cane sugar of the Original.  Two popular antioxidants, Pomegranate and Hibiscus, rendering it a natural ruby red. Less spicy with a subtle lemon and floral dimension.

Passion Fruit has a distinct tropical tang of passion fruit with our original ginger ale. Turmeric, called "yellow ginger" by the Chinese, is added and brightens the yellow of the drink.

Not only is this ginger ale delicious it has several health benefits.  Using the whole fresh root, captures the health benefits of ginger.  Ginger is great for alleviating nausea, aiding in digestion, and fighting colds.  By leaving the beverage unfiltered, this ginger ale contains 2 mg of iron (about the same as a cup of leafy green vegetables), some calcium and vitamins A and C.

Bruce Cost created Fresh Ginger, Ginger Ale, he wrote the book on ginger literally.  Bruce wrote "Ginger East to West", a small, award-winning cookbook that traced ginger's origins and its journey around the world.  Bruce is an authority on Asian food, a writer and restaurateur.  His recipe for fresh ginger ale made its debut on the premises of 11 restaurants.   His handmade ginger ale became a signature item that has since sold an estimated 3 million drinks, outselling all soft drinks.

After I fell in love with this ginger ale the realization hit me that I may have to travel to Brooklyn to replenish my stash.  I was relieved to discover that Fresh Ginger, Ginger Ale is available in several stores including FreshDirect, Fairway Supermarket, and Whole Foods Market.  I usually purchase a four pack from Fairway Supermarket for about $6, $1.50 per bottle, a bargain.  Sold separately in stores it can run for about $2.

Fresh Ginger, Ginger Ale will be a delicious and healthy addition to your diet.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Healthy eating…