Warm Ginger, Tamarind and Lime Flu Beater
I’m feeling pretty rotten this week. I have been struck down with the dreaded flu for four days and cannot stand it much longer.
My mum was kind enough to tell me about her best friends recipe for a drink that she makes to cure the flu.
‘Aunt’ Elises’ advice was to heat ginger beer mixed with two disprins, a shot of brandy and a squeeze of lemon.
I managed to drag myself out of the house to get the ingredients and I felt much better doing so.
It did tinker with the recipe. I made a cordial infused with the tamarind, vanilla, ginger and lime. When I was ready for my potion I heated the ginger beer, stirred in some of the cordial to taste and served it up with freshly sliced ginger, mint and lime. It worked a treat; the fresh ginger helped clear my head and the mint unblocked my nose.
I have also discovered Fentimans Botanically Brewed Traditional Ginger Beer. I’m not a great ginger beer drinker but love the fact that these guy’s are making the ginger beer in England to the traditional methods of fermenting chinese ginger roots. This gives the ginger beer a real burn-in-the-throat ginger kick. So I have chosen this particular ginger beer as I knew it would provide an added element in making this drink and beating the flu.
Vanilla and Tamarind Cordial
- 2 tamarind pods, peeled
- 1 stick of lemongrass cut in 4 pieces
- 1 vanilla pod, split in half
- 30g fresh ginger, sliced
- 150g caster sugar
- 150ml water
- 1 lime, cut in quarters
Place the peeled tamarind pods, split vanilla pod, lime quarters, sugar, water and lemongrass pieces in a small saucepan.
Melt the sugar over low heat; rub the tamarind with the back of a spoon to mash it up slightly.
Once the sugar has dissolved turn the heat off and let the cordial infuse for 6 hours or over night.
Drain the liquid from the solids, discard the solids and pour the cordial in a clean sterilised bottle.
Keep the cordial refrigerated until needed.
Warm Ginger Beer Drink
- 550ml Fentimans Botanically Brewed Traditional Ginger Beer
- Vanilla and Tamarind Cordial to taste.
- Slices of fresh ginger
- Lime quarters
- Fresh mint sprigs
Heat the ginger beer over low heat and before it starts to boil, add the vanilla and tamarind cordial to taste.
Place the fresh slices of lime, ginger and sprigs of mint in a serving glass or mug and pour the warm ginger beer over the fresh aromatics. Keep a jug or a bottle to hand insert a lemongrass stick for extra flavour.
Sip and feel the relief!
Makes 4 – 5 servings
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Wow, what an unusual and inventive recipe! I love ginger and this sounds pretty amazing, even (thankfully) without the flu. I have tamarind pulp in my fridge, and was wondering whether there might be a way to use that as I’m not sure how easily I can source the pods?