ginger soft drink

this recipe is from "sundays at moosewood"...another cookbook i recommend. the recipes are divided into chapters based on where in the world the recipe originated. each chapter is introduced by someone familiar with the culture writing about its cooking traditions and their personal connection to that culture. reading this cookbook is like taking many small, culinary vacations. this recipe is from the chapter on "africa south of the sahara."

in a large nonreactive pot or bowl (glass, enamel, stainless steel), add:
1 cup grated peeled fresh ginger root
1 cup sugar
2 tsp whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks

pour:
6 cups boiling water
over the top. cover and set aside in a warm place, in the sun if possible, for an hour.
strain the liquid through a fine metal sieve.

add:
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (lemon is okay, but we prefer lime)
1 cup orange juice
8 cups cool water
set aside in a warm place for another hour or so.

gently strain the liquid again. take care not to disturb the sediment at the bottom.

serve warm, chilled, or on ice.
we like it mixed w/ seltzer water as homemade ginger ale.
store in the fridge in a non-reactive container (like a glass jar).