Though I love Jack and Coke just as much as the next girl, sometimes, just sometimes, I’d like a little more than my favorite cheap liquor and store-bought soda at my pregame. To satisfy this desire for more than just liquid sugar and hard liquor, I recommend keeping this ginger lemon syrup in your refrigerator at all times.

Yes, making this may be a little more difficult than twisting off a plastic cap or popping open a can of your preferred store-bought soda, but I promise that it is most definitely worth it and that you will immediately become the crowned mixologist of your college friend group. Please, hold the applause until after you read this rockstar recipe.

Ginger Lemon Syrup

  • Prep Time:10 minutes
  • Cook Time:5 minutes
  • Total Time:15 minutes
  • Servings:6 to 8 mixed drinks
  • Medium

    Ingredients

  • 2 cup fresh lemon juice (7-9 large lemons)
  • 2 inch-long piece of ginger
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
Photo by Margaret Block
  • Step 1

    Begin by juicing 7 to 9 large lemons in order to equal 2 cups of fresh lemon juice.

    Photo by Margaret Block
  • Step 2

    Slice the 2-inch piece of ginger into 1/4-inch pieces. There is no need to peel the ginger before slicing.

    Photo by Margaret Block
  • Step 3

    Add the lemon juice, ginger, sugar, and water to a small sauce pan and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 to 5 minutes.

    Photo by Margaret Block
  • Step 4

    Allow the syrup to cool. Then, remove the ginger pieces and refrigerate the syrup until ready to use. The syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, but I can guarantee you won’t let it last that long.

    Photo by Margaret Block

Ginger Lemonade

  • Prep Time:2 min
  • Cook Time:1 min
  • Total Time:3 min
  • Servings:1 mixed drink
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 2 oz ginger lemon syrup
  • 4 oz sparkling water
  • 2 oz bourbon, gin, tequila or vodka
Photo by Margaret Block
  • Step 1

    To start, combine the ginger lemon syrup with the sparkling water in a glass with ice.

    Photo by Christin Urso
  • Step 2

    Add the bourbon, gin, tequila or vodka to your concoction to make a cocktail that will instantly become your mixed drink go-to this semester.

    #SpoonTip: Add a slice of lemon and make your friends think you are most definitely a professional mixologist.

    Photo by Margaret Block