How to make lemon and ginger gin liqueur at home
Jan 29, 2020
This zesty, zingy gin liqueur is one of our faves because it’s just as delicious in winter - topped up with a fiery ginger ale for a warming drink snuggled on the sofa - as it is in summer, mixed with ice-cold lemonade or refreshing tonic, a squeeze of lime and (if you’re feeling brave) a dash of chilli syrup!
Lime works just as well as lemon in this easy recipe, if you want to try an alternative; you could even go for a really exotic flavour combination and use a few stalks of sliced lemongrass in place of the citrus fruit! Feel free to experiment with additional spices or herbs you think could work well with your flavours - here at Craft Gin Club we’re all about creativity and home blending!
70cl bottle of gin*
Zest and juice of 2-3 lemons, pith removed
About 150g ginger, sliced (skin in)
200g caster sugar
200ml water
First, make a simple syrup by gently simmering the sugar and water in a small pan over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and you’re left with a smooth syrup. Leave to cool before using.
Carefully zest the lemons, making sure none of the bitter white pith is left. (If you prefer, you could simply quarter the lemons and not peel them, but the infusion process will take longer.) Pour the lemon zest, juice, ginger, syrup and gin into a resealable bottle or container. Seal tightly and leave to infuse in a cool, dark place for two to three weeks, shaking gently every few days to encourage the flavours to meld. (You could drink it after a day or two, but the flavour will probably be quite faint.)
Taste your liqueur occasionally to see if it has reached the taste and consistency you like - the longer you leave it, the stronger the flavours will become. Before drinking, strain the liquid into a new bottle.
You can serve this simply over ice, or topped up with soda, ginger ale, lemonade, tonic or your favourite mixer. For a really special treat, try adding a little to the bottom of a chilled champagne flute and topping up with bubbly!
*We wouldn’t recommend using one of the beautiful artisan gins you’ll find in our Craft Gin Club boxes to make this homemade gin liqueur, as the flavours will override all of the delicate botanicals in the gin. However, a decent quality, neutral or citrus-led London Dry Gin will work nicely!
