Ginger and turmeric create a warm, vibrant harmony that dances between spice and earthiness. Fresh ginger brings a lively heat, its peppery bite brightening the palate and leaving a gentle tingle, while turmeric offers a deep, grounding flavour—slightly bitter, with hints of orange and soil after the rain. Together, they balance sharpness and depth, creating a golden, aromatic base that feels both invigorating and comforting, perfect for a cordial that wakes up the senses and soothes from within.

Ingredients

• Thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• Thumb-sized piece of fresh turmeric, peeled and grated, (you do need to wear gloves as turmeric can stain)
• 2–3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• Zest of 1 organic lemon or orange
• 2 cups water
• 1–2 tablespoons local honey (or maple/date syrup for a vegan option)
• Optional: pinch of black pepper (to activate turmeric’s benefits)

Instructions

1. Boil the kettle, then pour hot water over the ginger, turmeric, cardamom, and citrus zest in a heatproof jar or pan.
2. Let it infuse for 20–30 minutes, covered.
3. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve or muslin cloth.
4. Stir in your sweetener while warm — honey, maple, or date syrup.
5. Store in the fridge for up to a week.

To Serve

• Hot: Mix 1:1 with boiling water for a soothing winter drink.
• Cold: Chill and mix 1:1 with sparkling water or still water over ice.
• Optional: add a slice of lemon, mint, or a splash of apple cider vinegar for depth.

Ways to Extend Shelf Life

Natural Preservatives

• Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar: Adding a tablespoon or two increases acidity, which helps inhibit microbial growth.
• Black pepper: Not only activates curcumin in turmeric, but it also has mild antimicrobial properties.

Sugar Syrup Base

• Make a simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water) and infuse your ginger and turmeric into that. The higher sugar content acts as a preservative.
• This version can last 2–3 weeks refrigerated, or longer if bottled hot and sealed.

Sterilised Bottling

• Pour your strained cordial into sterilised glass bottles while still hot.
• Seal immediately with sterilized caps.
• Store in the fridge — this can extend shelf life to a month or more.

Freezing in Portions

• Freeze in ice cube trays or small jars.
• Thaw only what you need — preserves freshness and potency for several months.

Canning (for long-term storage)

• If you’re comfortable with water bath canning, you can bottle the cordial in sterilised jars and process them for 10 minutes.
• This method can keep your cordial shelf-stable for up to a year

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