Ever need a special ‘punch’ or drink for a party? While we might think we need to stop at the grocery store and buy a juice or a jug of something to serve to our guests, here is another option.

Recently our youngest daughter and I hosted a baby shower ‘tea party’ for our older daughter who is expecting her second baby. Since it’s always nice to have a cold drink to offer in addition to the hot tea, I thought about what options I had in my kitchen. Last minute is often when I get my best ideas, and the result was enjoyed so much that I received many requests for the ‘recipe’. I didn’t really follow any recipe but combined ideas I’ve learned over the years*. Here is what I did, with a few suggestions for variations.

Basically, you are making a ‘tea’ with fresh ginger and jalapeño. You can make it strong, sweeten it with honey, and dilute it to taste.

• 1 inch fresh ginger grated. Vary the amount according to your palate. More ginger will equal more ‘burn’.
• Several slices of jalapeño or other hot peppers (OPTIONAL, but has great health benefits!). Test your pepper for the hotness level. You can use more slices of a mild jalapeño. Adjust based on how ‘hot’ you or your guests can handle!
• Filtered water
• local honey (add as your tea is cooling)
• fresh squeezed juice of one lemon, lime, or orange (optional, add to cooled tea to give a natural vitamin C boost)

Combine ginger, peppers, and water to nearly fill a sauce pan. Glass is best. Stainless steel next best. You can also use a slow cooker if you have the time. Adjust the quantity of ginger to the size of your pot and the amount you are making.

Bring to a gentle boil, cover, and allow to simmer for at least 1/2 hour (can go for an hour in the saucepan, or use a slow cooker for a few hours, or overnight).

Allow to cool. While cooling, pour through a filter to strain out the ginger pieces. Alternatively, if you aren’t in a hurry, you can blend the mixture, and then pour into the strainer, using a rubber spatula to push the mass through it. I think I prefer blending – it feels like you get more ‘good stuff’ that way.

Add honey to taste. Stir. Add a lot of ice (made with filtered water). The ice will not only cool it, but will also serve to dilute it. Add more water as desired.

Why Ginger? A quick internet search reveals many fabulous benefits of ginger:

• powerful antibiotic properties and is able to effectively target some ‘antibiotic resistant strains’
• calms nausea
• soothes sore muscles
• eases arthritis symptoms
• curbs cancer growth
• lowers blood sugar and may help with weight loss
• eases menstrual period pain
• boosts bone health
• strengthens the immune system
• may help lower cholesterol
• may help improve brain function and protect against Alzheimer’s disease

Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in ginger and is responsible for much of ginger’s medicinal properties. Gingerol has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Ginger has long been used as a natural remedy to fight various ailments. Now, new research is showing that ginger may also be effective in fighting harmful bacteria and viruses.

A recent study found that ginger extract was able to kill several types of bacteria, including some that are resistant to antibiotics. The study’s authors believe that the compound responsible for this effect is gingerol, which has potent antibacterial and antiviral properties.

…Modern science is now discovering that this humble root may have powerful anti-cancer properties. One study found that ginger contains over 40 antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. These substances work together to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and stop them from spreading.

https://lungcancertips.com/10-most-amazing-health-benefits-of-ginger/

Note to self: Make Ginger Ade more often!

*This is a simpler, tastier version of Kick ‘Um Juice, a powerful concentrate many have used in their victory over cancer. Another variation I experimented with is Kick ‘Um for Kids a great immune boost to give to children during cold and flu season.

Becky Hastings collects information on health and tries her best to discover and share truth. By God’s grace, through Jesus Christ, I was saved, blessed with a husband of over 40 years, and five precious babies all grown up. I now get to delight as ten grandchildren grow! Together we can help each other discover a healthy path in this crazy upside down world.