Quietly at home
A brief reflection on our current moment
Plus a sweetly simple recipe from the inn!
All the makings for a fine batch of refreshing Gingerade, just like we make it here at the Brewery Gulch.
Hmmm. I sit at my dining room table, looking through the window at a fat bumblebee drowsily trailing along in the sunshine outside. I steal a sip from the oversized mug of tea in my hands and savor the uniquely different palette of flavors it takes on as it slowly cools. My mind starts drifting along with the soothing instrumental music that’s playing in the background. Yesterday, my window-side show was a flock of agile swallows diving and swooping, tightly executing barrel rolls and hairpin turns around each other in the golden glimmer of evening light. They were breath taking. I wonder if I’ll see them again today.
As I sit quietly here at home, I find myself contemplating the situation we all seem to be in today, everywhere around the globe. There’s so much uncertainty. The normal flow of life is in complete upheaval for basically every single person. So many of us are working from home or even out of work altogether, yet in the midst of it all, I feel so utterly at peace right now. What a pleasure it is to sit in silence, to let the mind rest, to take a break from the pressure of our performance-driven society for a while. True, Mendocino County has only been under Shelter in Place orders for a week, so there hasn’t been time yet to really get cabin fever, but even when I do start getting a bit stir-crazy, I still want to savor the slow as much as I’m savoring the last few drops of my tea right now.
There are of course all sorts of projects lined up to fill this unexpectedly “free time.” You know, those things you keep saying you’ll get around to some day, those things that are always hovering on the sidelines of your brain and never seem to make it to the top of the list. But for right now, I’m diving in to the quiet.
To really get into the mood, I think I’m going to brew up a batch of the inn’s tasty Gingerade, which some of you may remember we usually have available chilled at the Front Desk for anyone who needs a refreshing drink or just loves ginger. Soothing Gingerade sounds perfect for right now… I can already smell its bright and pungent perfume cleansing the air throughout the house like the perfect aromatherapy while it gently simmers for an hour. Then I’m definitely going to enjoy a mug of it piping hot… with maybe a drop or two of bourbon or spiced rum thrown in just for fun. And maybe tomorrow I’ll have a tall glass of it cold while I sit on the back deck in the sun. Pardon me now while I go run away to get that going!
This is more of a guideline than an exact recipe. I usually eyeball everything, tasting as I go to see if it needs more honey or lemon. It’s also really yummy if you throw in a cinnamon stick during the simmering phase, especially if you are planning on drinking it hot. Another fun addition is to add a bunch of fresh mint sprigs before chilling it overnight – the mint adds a whole different layer of refreshment!
Ingredients
8 oz. Organic ginger root, sliced thin (no need to peel)
1 gal. Water
¼ c. Honey
3-4 lemons
Optional additions: Fresh mint, a cinnamon stick, bourbon, spiced rum… experiment and have fun!
- Combine the first 2 ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil.
- Turn heat down to low and gently simmer for 1 hour with lid on.
- Turn off heat and let cool for ½ hour.
- Add ½ cup honey and the juice of 4-5 lemons.
- Strain and chill overnight.
- Serve as is, over ice, and/or split with sparkling water.
Share with your family or roommates, or keep it all to yourself… and think of us here at the Brewery Gulch Inn fondly with each sip!!
Words and picture by Laura Hockett