What happens when you add muddled ginger to spiked lemonade? It stops being a party drink that tastes like sugar and vodka, and becomes something with a spine. This pitcher starts with honey dissolved in hot water, then Purus vodka, fresh lemon juice, and half a cup of muddled ginger go in. A cup of mint leaves and ice, and it chills in the fridge.
Half a cup of muddled ginger is more than most lemonade recipes call for. You feel the heat build through the second and third glass. By the end of the pitcher, the ginger has had time to steep further, and the last pour is noticeably spicier than the first.
Tips for Making Spiked Lemon Aid
Dissolve the honey properly
The recipe stirs honey into six tablespoons of hot water until dissolved. Cold honey does not mix into liquids evenly. You get sweet spots and sour spots.
Do this first in the pitcher before adding anything else. The honey-water mixture is your sweetener base.
Muddle the ginger well
Half a cup of muddled ginger is a significant amount. Use fresh ginger root, peeled and crushed with a muddler or the back of a spoon.
The longer the ginger sits in the pitcher, the spicier the drink gets. If you are serving it over a few hours, the last glass will be in particular hotter than the first.
Spiked Lemon Aid
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: Serves 8
Description
A refreshing twist on classic lemonade.
Vodka, honey, lemon, and ginger create a vibrant summer drink.
Ingredients
Units
- 2 cups (473 ml) organic Purus vodka
- 6 tbsp honey
- 0.75 cups (178 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 cups (118 ml) muddled ginger
- 1 cups (237 ml) mint leaves
- 8 lemon slices
Instructions
- Stir honey and 6 tablespoons of hot water in a large pitcher until honey is dissolved.
- Stir in Purus vodka, lemon juice, and muddled ginger.
- Add about 2 cups of ice, depending on the size of your pitcher and one cup of mint leaves.
- Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
- Pour into glasses filled with ice.
- Garnish with lemon slices and serve.
Notes
- For a less intense ginger flavor, reduce the amount of muddled ginger to 1/4 cup.
- Substitute agave nectar or simple syrup for honey if desired.
- Store leftover lemonade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 10
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different vodka?
Any good-quality vodka works. Purus is a clean, organic vodka that lets the lemon and ginger flavours come through. If your vodka has a strong taste on its own, the balance of the lemonade will shift.
How much ginger heat will this lemonade have?
Half a cup of muddled ginger gives a noticeable heat that builds over the course of a glass. It is not spicy like hot sauce, more of a warm tingle in the back of your throat. The longer the pitcher sits, the spicier it gets.
Can I make this ahead for a party?
Yes. Mix everything except the ice and refrigerate for up to three hours. Add ice and mint just before serving. The ginger will steep further while it chills, so taste and adjust the honey if it gets too spicy.
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