Ginger Ale With The Mad Hatter
Every time we visited my Bumpa, my dad’s dad, we drank ginger ale and hunted for a cat who hated children. Her name was Maggie, she was white, and we were way more interested in her than she ever was in us. Bumpa wore plaid pants and had enough hats to rival the Mad Hatter. He was one of the funkiest dressers to ever walk this earth, and I loved how completely himself he was. His bar was stocked with drinks we kids couldn’t touch, except the ginger ale and tonic water. The first time I tried ginger ale at his house, I knew I’d never be the same.
People judged him for some of the choices he made, but my parents made sure we got to know him and love him anyway. I’m so grateful for that. His house smelled a little funny, and strawberry-filled hard candies were about the only food he kept around, but there was always ginger ale. Now every time I pour a glass, I think of him.
So today I’m making pear cardamom ginger ale for him. I love this one so much.
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The pear makes it soft and a little sweet, the cardamom adds a warm spice, and the ginger still bites the way it should. It tastes like fall in a glass. I know Bumpa would have loved it, and I think you will too. Here’s to you, Bumpa: plaid pants, hats, and that elusive cat.
Pear Cardamom Ginger Ale
Ingredients
Method
- Add the entire can of pears, including the syrup, to a blender with the apple cider, cardamom, and pear syrup.
- Blend until completely smooth.
- Strain the pear mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheese cloth to create a smooth spiced pear base. If you like it a little more pulpy leave it.
- Divide the spiced pear base among six ice-filled glasses.
- Top each glass with ginger ale and stir gently before serving.
