Cocktail hour: Ginger brings a fiery kick to alcohol-free options

Ginger is everywhere, especially when it comes to pre-dinner drinks. With the NOLO ("no alcohol, low alcohol") beverage boom, ginger is taking over the cocktail hour landscape. Whether as a syrup or in ginger beer or juices, this fiery root is the king of next-gen cocktails. Never dull, this spice alone can add a sometimes wicked kick to the most classic of juices, bringing a spicy twist to all kinds of combinations.

It's not surprising that ginger has such an exotic taste. This plant -- of which we use the rhizome (a kind of big subterranean root) -- originates from India and is eaten in much of Asia. In Japan, for example, ginger is pickled as a condiment for sushi, while in India, it is used in dishes like masala and vindaloo. It also features in Thai cuisine. In Europe, the spice is above all known for bringing flavor to gingerbread, for example. But recently, ginger has been finding its way into all kinds of drinks.

For a pre-dinner drink, ginger makes a great addition to juices. Juice-maker Alain Milliat combines ginger with lemon juice, plus lychee and mango purée, in various organic concoctions with no added sugar.

When it comes to flavor, Gimber concentrate uses ginger, lemon and spices to create a delicate drink with a fiery bite. It can easily be used to make various mixed drinks. For a cocktail-style long drink, just add sparkling water. This concentrate can even be used to make a subtle and surprising marinade for carpaccio dishes.