Rose Works Jewelry's Treasury Blog: Featuring the Facebook Fans on Etsy!

Rose Works Jewelry's Treasury Blog: Featuring the Facebook Fans on Etsy!

Homemade Ginger Ale Recipe

I had gotten out of the habit of making ginger ale until recently. It's so fun and easy though. With the cold weather we've been having, it was a something fun to do to keep myself busy while being shut up in the house trying to keep warm. I'm glad I finally started making it again. The method and recipe that I use is based on David B. Fankhauser's from his website. I've simply modified it so that it is not as sweet as his, plus I have a couple of flavoring variations.

Here is my basic recipe:
4 Tablespoons of Fresh Grated Ginger Root
1.25 cups of sugar
1/2 t yeast
2 Tablespoons of Herbal Vinegar*
1 gallon plastic container

*I like using Lemongrass herbal vinegar, but you can also use another herbal vinegar of your choice or double the amount of fresh lemon juice, fresh orange juice or another herbal vinegar of your choice. The last batch of ginger ale that I made included homemade Fire Cider. Just now I put together a batch with red hot pepper vinegar. I'm curious to see how that turns out. Variety is fun!

Method:
Add all the ingredients to the plastic container and fill to 1/2 inch from the top with fresh water and cap. The next step is to let is sit at room temperature and wait until the jug starts to bulge out from the carbonation. During the summer when my house is in the 80's this usually takes less than 24 hours. In this cold weather is has been taking more like 48 hours. When it becomes difficult to squeeze a dent in the container, then it is ready. At this point you need to refrigerate it for about 5 hours. Then it is ready to serve after straining out the ginger.
This drink comes out mildly fizzy and is only approximately 0.4% alcohol.

Thanks to my friend Patricia Shaw for taking this great picture from our lunch yesterday.

Waiting for labels

Waiting for labels
Originally uploaded by AquarianBath

I've been keeping myself busy in the cold making things. I've found my brain is not very good at coming up with longer more interesting posts when the temperature drops below 50 F. Lately I've just been hanging out in my office trying to keep warm drinking homemade ginger ale, coffee or chai.

Here are some roll on perfumes that I made today that are waiting for labels. These are lavender with Amyris and Rose geranium with Amyris.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AquarianBath?section_id=6433276

Oat Milk Soap Ball with Calendula

Oak Milk Soap Ball with Calendula
Originally uploaded by AquarianBath

Just a new item that I'm listing in my shop. I've had these soap balls stashed away. They are very gentle and nice for winter dry skin. Very rich in excess oil, plus whole milk, and ground oats.

A Curious Mess!

This week I am pleased to feature one of my Etsy Twitter and Unique Women in Business teammates, Brooklyn multimedia artist Starla of CuriousMess.com. Be sure to browse her etsy shop where she is offering free shipping through January 15th. After you visit her etsy shop, you might like to hop over to her blog and congratulate her on her pregnancy and check out all her fun twin watch belly photos. Starla and I are both due in mid May. Many thanks to her for promoting Aquarian Bath this month by hosting a soap giveaway on her blog.