For the simple syrup:
1 cup coarsely chopped, fresh ginger
1 cup water
1 cup natural cane sugar
For the cocktail:
9 oz vodka
3-5 medium beets, scrubbed and quartered (or find beet juice at the local grocery or juice shop)
6 limes, supremed and halved
3 oranges, supremed and quartered
6 ounces ginger simple syrup
Dash of Angostura, orange, or other preferred bitters
Sparkling water
Crushed ice
First, make the ginger simple syrup. Combine the ginger, water, and cane sugar in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil, covered, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1/2 hour. Strain the contents and set the simple syrup aside to cool. (Place it in the fridge to speed the process up.)
Run the beets through your juicer until you have 6 ounces of beet juice. Measure that out, and set aside. Run the limes and oranges through. Pour the citrus juices into a tall pitcher. Add the beet juice, 9 ounces vodka, 6 ounces of ginger simple syrup, and a few generous dashes of your favorite bitters. Stir.
Add a small handful of crushed ice to each of 6 glasses. Fill the glasses about halfway with the cocktail mix, and top with a few ounces of sparkling water. Enjoy!
katecooking 