Mint-Ginger Spritzers

Mint-Ginger Spritzers (Phase 1)

Description
A natural pair, ginger and mint are the base for this refreshing drink, which can be served as a predinner mocktail or as the perfect complement to a meal. Serve the spritzers in pretty, tall glasses or in large martini glasses (without ice), if you prefer. This recipe makes extra syrup, which can be used if your guests want seconds, or it can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Serves 8

Prep time: 5 minutes
Start to finish: 10 minutes

Ingredients
3 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh ginger
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons granular sugar substitute
1 cup fresh mint leaves
1 (2-liter) bottle seltzer water, chilled
Ice cubes
8 small fresh mint sprigs

Instructions
Place ginger in a small saucepan with water and sugar substitute. Bring to a simmer, remove from heat, and let steep in saucepan at room temperature for at least 4 hours.

After ginger syrup has steeped, add mint leaves and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Strain.

To serve, pour 1/2 cup of seltzer into a glass, add 1 tablespoon mint-ginger syrup, and stir. Add ice and stir again. Top drink with a mint sprig. Repeat for remaining drinks.

Nan,

That sounds sooooo refreshing on a hot day.

I'm not so sure about the carbonation - but to be honest I have drank carbonated things before in small amounts, and bet if you stirred it enough there wouldn't be much carbonation left anyway.

Pam