Labor Day Lemonade: Lemon Verbena & Ginger
Contributed by on Sep 01, 2014
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Here’s your slightly labor free lemonade for Labor Day. It may be the [unofficial] mark of the end of summer but here in the Carolinas, we’re going to have 97 degree weather this week. Doesn’t feel like fall to me. But, I’m there in my mind. If you’re a regular spice shop goer like myself, you probably have some lemon verbena hanging around with your other spices. Pick up some ginger, lemons, sugar and club soda. While you’re prepping your labor day grill feast, juice those lemons. It’s the most laborious part.
For Lemon Verbena & Ginger Syrup:
2 Cups Sugar
2 Cups Water
1/3 Cup Dried Lemon Verbena
2 Tablespoons Fresh Grated Ginger
*Bring all contents to a simmer and cook for about 25-30 minutes on low heat. Let the syrup cool and strain (preferably into a bowl with a spout).
For Lemonade:
Add the juice of 6 Lemons to the syrup mixture and a splash of water to taste. (I set aside about 1 cup of syrup for more cocktails) Stir the mixture and double strain into your holding vessel. You can have this lemonade made with the rum for your cookout or add your spirit to each glass; so the kids can have some lemonade too : )
For Rum Cocktail:
20z. Light Rum [Vodka or Tequila]
Top with Lemonade and club soda. Garnish with lemon twist. Cheers!