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    Home » Drinks

    Published: Jul 14, 2020 · Modified: May 15, 2023 by Smruti · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Lemongrass Ginger Cooler

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    One of the most refreshing drink for Summer, this Lemongrass Ginger Cooler is easy to make and delicious! 

    It comes together in under 10 minutes and is great for any party or to just enjoy on a warm afternoon.

    A glass full of lemongrass ginger cooler topped with ice and mint leaves against a blue background.

    Summer calls for cooling drinks and lemongrass is one of the best ingredients to add to drinks. It is refreshing and delicious. Plus, it has so many health benefits.

    For the longest time I have had a lemongrass plant in my back yard. A large chunk of the produce goes into making Masala Chai but I use it in many other recipes too. 

    Asian soups, drinks, some Thai and other Asian curries and desserts like Masala Chai Popsicles are popular to make with lemongrass stalks.

    Jump to:
    • What is Lemongrass Cooler
    • Why this recipe works
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • Using saffron in the recipe
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Serving
    • More delicious Summer drinks
    • Lemongrass Ginger Cooler

    What is Lemongrass

    A tropical grass popular in many parts of Asia, lemongrass finds application in essential oils, cooking, baking and medicines. The grass has a fragrance similar to lemons and gets its name 'lemongrass'.  

    Known to boost immunity (read more on Wikipedia) this grass has two parts; the thicker base and thin leaves. 

    In India we generally use the leaves as an addition to Chai. The thicker stem has far more flavor and is used in soups, curries and desserts. 

    What is Lemongrass Cooler

    Lemongrass Ginger Cooler combines the flavors of two healthy ingredients to make one delicious drink that is amazing through the summer months.

    This drink has the essence from gingers and the flavors from lemongrass. All mixed in with some saffron for the bright sunshine color and flavor.

    This cooler is one of our favorites and works really well for parties too. Moreover, it has a tropical flavor to it and is definitely a great addition to the summer recipe list.

    Why this recipe works

    • This lemongrass ginger cooler is great for any time of the year, especially for summers. It is cooling, refreshing and delicious.
    • Easy to make, it comes together in under 10 minutes. And once you have the syrup cooked, kids can make this by themselves too.
    • While I make it with water, the same can be made with sparkling water or with some alcohol too.
    • This drink has a mix of good for you ingredients like lemongrass, ginger and saffron. It does have some sugar but that can be eliminated or substituted with honey or date syrup too.
    • The syrup can easily be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Thus, it works great as a make ahead recipe for any party.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    • Lemongrass: Lemongrass is the prime ingredient in the recipe. If you have access to a whole stalk of lemongrass, use the green leaves and the bottom thick part too. These together have the most flavor. If not, just the leaves work too.
    • Ginger: The next ingredient we use is ginger. It is zesty, packed with flavor and great for the body. A small amount of ginger definitely goes a long way. Fresh ginger works best for the recipe. Ginger powder can be used too but it is not as flavorful.
    • Saffron: To impart a natural flavor and color to the drink, I add some saffron. The signature yellow tinge from the saffron is amazing and it also adds a lot of flavor. 
    • Sugar: Sugar is used as a sweetener here, but honey or jaggery works too. 
    • Water: I topped the syrup with water. However, using carbonated water would work well too. Adding a hint of alcohol works as well.

    See the recipe card for detailed ingredient information, measurements and nutrition. 

    How to make this recipe

    1- In a pan add chopped lemongrass, grated ginger and sugar. 

    2- Add 1 cup water and boil till it bubbles. Then turn down flame and let it cool to room temperature. 

    Collage with steps to make the lemongrass ginger syrup in a large bowl.

    3- In a mortar pestle add a few saffron strands and crush them with a pestle. Add 2 cubes of ice and let them stand for a while. 

    4- As they melt, they will extract the color and flavor from the saffron. 

    Steps to extract flavor and color from saffron using a mortar pestle.

    5- Then transfer the saffron infused water to a jar.

    6- Once the lemongrass mixture is cool, strain it into the jar with saffron and mix. This syrup can be refrigerated for a week. 

    Adding the saffron and the lemongrass syrup in a jar to prepare lemongrass ginger cooler.

    7- In a glass add ice cubes. Then pour 2-3 tablespoon of the prepared syrup in the glass and top with water.

    8- Serve with a sprig of mint and a stalk of lemongrass. 

    making the lemongrass ginger cooler and serving it with ice and mint leaves.

    Using saffron in the recipe

    We use saffron in the recipe to get a bright sunshine color. So you would want to extract maximum color from the strands. 

    For a very long time I used to steep them in hot water or milk to get the color. Only recently did I learn that ice extracts the color really well compared to hot liquids. 

    So to do so, crush the saffron strands in a mortar and add some ice cubes. Leave it to melt and the resulting water will have LOTS of flavor and color. I use this method in all my saffron based recipes now.

    A jar filled with yellow colored saffron water with some lemongrass and ginger in the background.

    Expert Tips and Notes

    • The syrup for the recipe is great to make ahead of time. Prepare it and refrigerate. Moreover, use as required for different combinations of drinks.
    • The lemongrass root has the maximum flavor. Tr y and use it to make the syrup along with the leaves. That way the syrup has a deep lemongrass flavor.
    • Add some turmeric root with ginger root for a healthier version and a nice colored drink. Then, saffron may be reduced in the recipe.
    • Moreover, serve it with sparkling water, a wedge of lime and some mint leaves for a wonderfully refreshing day time drink.
    • Alternatively, add a hint of rum and soda to make it into a delicious mojito.
    • Make a single glass or make a large batch, the recipe scales really well.

    Recipe FAQs

    Is lemongrass ginger cooler healthy?

    Lemongrass as well as ginger is very good for the body. And so is saffron. However, the drink has a little sugar. Eliminate or replace with jaggery or date syrup if you like.

    Can the drink be made ahead of time?

    Yes certainly. The syrup can be made ahead of time or the entire drink can also be made and refrigerated.

    Can we modify the recipe to include alcohol?

    Yes certainly. Add some sparkling water and rum to make a delicious mojito flavored with lemongrass, ginger and saffron.

    Is there a replacement for fresh lemongrass?

    While the maximum flavor comes from fresh lemongrass, dried lemongrass leaves can be used here too. It will have to be boiled for a longer time and used more than the fresh one, but it does work.

    A tall glass filled with lemongrass ginger cooler topped with ice, mint leaves and lemongrass stalk against a dark background.

    Serving

    The main ingredients here are lemongrass and ginger, and the BEST way to enjoy it is using a lemongrass stalk itself. 

    The stalk will be hollow from the inside and by pulling out a couple of leaves from the inside will give it enough diameter to use as a straw! 

    I generally serve my drink with a sprig of mint or basil. 

    More delicious Summer drinks

    • Boba thandai topped with ice-cream and all the toppings, against a backdrop with flowers and boba.
      Thandai Boba
    • Indian Mixed Fruit Cocktail Juice
    • Mango Falooda
    • Blood Orange Iced Tea

    I love seeing when you share my recipes!

    Tag me on Instagram @herbivorecucina or mention #herbivorecucina so I can enjoy them virtually with you! You can also find me on Pinterest, Facebook, Tik Tok, and YouTube.

    A glass filled with lemongrass ginger cooler topped with ice and mint leaves against a dark background.

    Lemongrass Ginger Cooler

    Smruti
    One of the most refreshing drink for Summer, this Lemongrass Ginger Cooler is easy to make and delicious! 
    It comes together in under 10 minutes and is great for any party or to just enjoy on a warm afternoon.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 2
    Calories 101 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 6-7 Lemongrass stalk (chopped)
    • 1½ inch Ginger (grated)
    • 3 tablespoon Sugar
    • 8-10 strands Saffron
    • 2 cups Water
    • ½ cup ice

    Instructions
     

    • In a pan add chopped lemongrass, grated ginger and sugar.
    • Add 1 cup water and boil till it bubbles. Turn down flame and let it cool to room temperature.
    • In a mortar pestle add a few saffron strands and crush them with a pestle. Add 2 cubes of ice and let them stand for a while.
    • As they melt, they will extract the color and flavor from the saffron.
    • Transfer the saffron infused water to a jar.
    • Once the lemongrass mixture is cool, strain it into the jar with saffron and mix. This syrup can be refrigerated for a week.
    • In a glass add ice cubes. Pour 2-3 tablespoon of the prepared syrup in the glass and top with water.
    • Serve with a sprig of mint and a stalk of lemongrass.

    Notes

      • The syrup for the recipe is great to make ahead of time. Prepare it and refrigerate. Use as required for different combinations of drinks.
      • The lemongrass root has the maximum flavor. Tr y and use it to make the syrup along with the leaves. That way the syrup has a deep lemongrass flavor.
      • Add some turmeric root with ginger root for a healthier version and a nice colored drink. Then, saffron may be reduced in the recipe.
      • Serve it with sparkling water, a wedge of lime and some mint leaves for a wonderfully refreshing day time drink.
        Add a hint of rum and soda to make it into a delicious mojito.
      • Make a single glass or make a large batch, the recipe scales really well.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 101kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 1gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.04gSodium: 22mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 22IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    This blog is dedicated to one of my greatest passions, Cooking. I have always loved to cook, especially trying out some unconventional recipes.

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