Propeller Ginger Or Root Beer Recipe

Make ginger-root infusion

In a medium-large saucepan combine the coarsely chopped ginger and 6 cups water. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a brisk simmer.

Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, crushing the ginger occasionally with a spoon against the side of the pot to release oils and flavor.

After 20 minutes add the dark brown sugar, white sugar, molasses, whole allspice berries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, optional sarsaparilla or sassafras, and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir to dissolve sugars.

Continue to simmer gently for another 10–15 minutes, until the liquid is syrupy and strongly aromatic. Taste carefully (it should be noticeably gingery, sweet, and spiced but not overly cloying).

Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and fresh lemon juice. Let the mixture steep and cool for 30–45 minutes to deepen flavor.

Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a bowl or heatproof measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard solids.

If you prefer a clearer syrup, strain a second time through a fine sieve. Reserve the strained syrup. This is your ginger/root-beer concentrate (approximately 2 to 2 1/2 cups).

Chill the ginger/root-beer concentrate in the refrigerator until cold, or use it warm to make an immediately served drink (cold concentrate blends more cleanly with soda).

To serve as a non-alcoholic root beer-style soda: in a tall glass filled with ice, pour 3–4 tablespoons (45–60 ml) of the concentrate, then top with 1 cup (240 ml) cold club soda or sparkling water. Adjust concentrate to taste for sweeter/stronger flavor.

Garnish with a lemon slice and a mint sprig. Optionally add 1 dash of Angostura bitters per glass for additional complexity (bitters will make it more 'root beer-ish').

For a pitcher (about 8 servings): combine roughly 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups chilled concentrate with 8 cups chilled club soda in a large pitcher. Taste and adjust — add more concentrate if you prefer a bolder beverage or more soda for a lighter soda.

Serve immediately over ice. Store any leftover concentrate refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks. The concentrate can be frozen in ice cube trays for longer storage.