I've become increasingly fond of food based gifts. They're usually delicious and they don't take up much room. Win-win! A couple years ago I made some grenadine as a hostess gift, which was a definite hit. So I made some more this year, but also wanted to make something else.

I've been cutting back on my diet soda intake, but I loves me some carbonation, so I started drinking more seltzer water. Which is fine most of the time, but a little boring. So I started adding lemon juice to it. And then some agave nectar. And then I remembered I made some ginger syrup many moons ago to make cocktails for book club. It was an idea light bulb moment...seltzer water + lemon juice + homemade ginger syrup = awesome!

Guess what a few lucky folks are getting as gifts this year?

I did a couple of mixology tests, and this is the "recipe" I came up with for this tasty non-alcoholic combo:

Lemon-Ginger Soda

12 ounces cold seltzer water
2 ounces lemon juice
1 1/2 - 2 1/2* ounces ginger syrup
*depends on how sweet you like your soda

Pour seltzer water into a tall glass, add lemon juice and ginger syrup. Still to combine. Add a couple of ice cubes if you wish. Mint or a lemon wedge would be a great garnish.

That link for the ginger syrup recipe also has a recipe for a Ginger Rogers, which is a tasty little cocktail (and another great use for the ginger syrup).