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NY Cherry-Ginger Spritz Recipe

Excerpted from ‘Roots, Heart, Soul’ by Todd Richards


spinner image n y cherry ginger spritz in glass; cherries on right; bottle on left
Clay Williams

This classic New York–inspired spritzer hearkens back to red drink, also known as “red drank,” and has a rich history among West Africans and people of African heritage in the Americas.

 

Serves 8

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces unsweetened cherry juice
  • 1 small knob ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup turbinado sugar
  • 1 lemon, zested in wide strips
  • 32 ounces seltzer water
  • 32 cherries, pitted
  • 1 lime or lemon, cut into 8 wedges

 

Directions

Bring the cherry juice, ginger, and sugar to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until the sugar completely dissolves. Remove from the heat.

Add the lemon zest, then let the cherry-ginger juice steep for 20 minutes. Remove the lemon zest, then strain the cherry-ginger juice through a fine mesh sieve into a small pitcher or large measuring cup.Pour 2 ounces (about 1/4 cup) of the cherry-ginger syrup into each of 8 highball glass. Fill the glasses with ice, then top off with 4 ounces of seltzer water. Skewer 4 cherries and garnish each drink. Serve with a lime or lemon wedge. Cheers!

 

Cook With Chef Todd

spinner image book cover that says todd richards with amy paige condon, roots heart soul the story, celebration, and recipes of afro cuisine in america
Cover photography by Clay Williams; Cover design by Mumtaz Mustafa

Two more recipes from Roots, Heart, Soul for AARP members to try:

Hot and Spicy Crawfish Boil

This Jamaican-Louisianan-style crawfish boil, paired with collard green spring rolls and NY Cherry-Ginger Spritz, offers a hat tip to Caribbean, Chinese and Black cultures.

Collard Green Spring Rolls

These crispy, spicy Chinatown-style spring rolls are made with traditional Southern greens.

Read about Todd Richards’ book, Roots, Heart, Soul.

 

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