With faraway travel in mind this month, we have been watching online videos of the Australian television program "Food Safari," which takes viewers into multicultural kitchens across the country. We recently tried a recipe from the Africa episode and have found our new favorite summer cooler: West African ginger drink.
Non-alcoholic ginger beverages (sometimes referred to as ginger beer) are popular throughout Africa. This recipe is from a Ghanaian cook and includes a copious amount of ginger root plus lime, peppercorns, and not too much sugar. There's a definite bite from the ginger and pepper and, served over ice, the drink is incredibly refreshing and energizing. (It can also be served hot and is supposedly a good flu remedy.)
• Get the recipe: West African Ginger Drink from Food Safari
This version is diluted with regular cold water, which is delicious, but we might give sparkling water a try next time.
Related: Recipe: D.I.Y. Ginger Ale, Part I
(Images: Emily Ho)
A Work Week Menu Plan That You Can Do
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Floral Drink Dispen...
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Beatriz's Fun & Functional Workspace
i made this last night...its really good.
When I have the cold or the flu, we make a hot tea with a herbal mixture specifically for colds, add lots of lemon juice, some ginger and honey- it really helps! So I believe that this drink would work well too. (althoughI still would add some honey- honey is one of the best things to cure a cold, in a study it even worked better than cold medecin).
Wait... does this mean this is African food week??? I hope so. I want to learn more.