Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 six-inch piece fresh ginger, finely diced
• 2 cups water    
• ice cubes 
• 4 cups sparkling apple cider
• 6 cinnamon sticks, cut in half
• 12 pieces crystallized ginger

Preparation

1. To prepare ginger syrup, place sugar*, grater ginger and water in a medium saucepan; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour until ginger flavor is strong. Strain mixture and refrigerate to chill.
2. To prepare Ginger-Apple Sparkler, place one tablespoon ginger syrup in each glass (use short tumblers).
3. Fill with ice cubes, pour in 1/2-cup cider and stir to combine.
4. Garnish with cinnamon stick and crystallized ginger.

Helpful hints

• Syrup may be stored in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
• Ginger is often used to help treat nausea and motion sickness.
• *For those with diabetes, omit the sugar in ginger syrup. Instead, make concentrated ginger-flavored water. Sweeten to taste with sugar substitute. Nutrients decrease to 61 calories, 15 grams carbohydrate.