SPARKLING GINGER-LEMON SODA

Sparkling Ginger-Lemon Soda image

Provided by Julia Moskin

Yield 12 to 16 drinks

Number Of Ingredients 4

Ingredients

2 ounces fresh ginger, peeled and sliced paper thin
2 medium lemons, preferably organic, well washed
1/3 cup honey, more to taste
Ice cubes and mint sprigs, for serving

Steps:

Combine ginger and 2 quarts cold water in a large pot. Cut lemons in half and squeeze into pot, straining out pits. Drop lemon halves into pot and bring to a boil. Turn off heat, cover and let steep 30 minutes. Stir in honey, then taste for sweetness, adding more to taste. Strain mixture into a container and discard solids. Let cool to room temperature, then chill until very cold.
Working in small batches, pour cold mixture into the bottle of a carbonator, filling it not more than 1/3 full (this will give the mixture room to foam). Charge with CO2 until very fizzy, waiting between charges for foam to subside completely. (This can take up to 2 minutes, so be patient.)
Very slowly, as if opening a bottle of soda, release the bottle from the carbonator. Serve immediately, or cover tightly and chill. (Extra soda mixture can be refrigerated for up to a week, and can be served carbonated or flat.) To serve, pour over ice and top with a mint sprig. If desired, add a slug of rum to each glass.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 30, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Fat 0 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 0 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 1 milligram, Sugar 7 grams