A refreshing, spicy-sweet beverage made from fresh ginger root, sugar, and lemon, served ice-cold. This popular Chadian drink delivers a fiery kick balanced by sweetness, perfect for cooling down in the Sahelian heat.
Ingredients
300g fresh ginger root, peeled
1.5 liters water
200g sugar
Juice of 3 lemons
Fresh mint leaves
Ice cubes
1 pineapple slice (optional)
Instructions
1Peel and roughly chop the fresh ginger root. Place in a blender with two cups of water and blend until very smooth.
2Strain the ginger puree through a fine strainer or cheesecloth into a large pitcher, pressing firmly to extract maximum juice.
3Add remaining water, sugar, and lemon juice to the pitcher. Stir vigorously until the sugar is completely dissolved.
4Taste and adjust sweetness and ginger intensity. The drink should have a pronounced ginger heat balanced by sweetness.
5Refrigerate for at least one hour to let flavors meld and the drink becomes thoroughly chilled.
6Serve over ice cubes in tall glasses, garnished with fresh mint leaves. The drink improves in flavor overnight.
Did You Know?
Ginger juice vendors are found at every major intersection in N'Djamena, selling the drink in small plastic bags with a straw poked through the top, a quintessential Chadian scene.