Method
- Start by washing and peeling your fresh ginger root. Slice the ginger into thin rounds or chop it into small pieces.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, and the prepared ginger. Add a small pinch of salt if using.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar has completely dissolved. Bring the mixture to a light boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
- Once simmering is complete, turn off the heat and let the syrup steep, covered, for at least an hour for a robust flavor.
- Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove all the ginger pieces. Let the syrup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
For a spicier syrup, extend the steeping time. Don't discard the strained ginger; it can be candied or used in baking. You can substitute honey for sugar for a Honey Ginger Syrup variation.