Ginger and raisins

Ginger and raisins are not widely used in the production of Alcohol beverages, however some very nice dessert wines are raisin wines, or "straw wines." Raisin wine is believed to date back to pre-Roman times where it was produced in Northern Italy and in the French Alps. Raisin wines are usually a very sweet white dessert wine made using raisins that have been dried in the sun. They are both labor intensive, and difficult to make and are therefore more expensive than other dessert wines. In France, these wines are known as "vin de paille," or straw wines. They are made from Riesling grapes in the Alsace region, from Chardonnay and Savagnin grapes in Poulsard, and are also commonly made in Cotes du Jura.

In Germany and Austria, raisin wines are known as "strohwein" and "schlifwein," and in the Czech Republic as Slamove Vino. In Italy, these wines are classified as "passito," and the most famous passito is vin santo, which is made in Tuscany in both white and red varieties. Raisin wines in the passito style are also being produced in the U.S.

One commercially available drink, Stone's Ginger Wine, is made from a blend of ground ginger and raisins. This unique product is produced in England, and was first made in London in 1740 by the Finsbury Distilling Company. Stone's Ginger Wine saw an uptick in sales in 1832, during the cholera epidemic--it was believed that the drink offered some protection from cholera, as well as that it served as an aphrodisiac and a digestive aid. Stone's Ginger Wine isn't used in many cocktails, but when mixed with whisky it is called a "whisky mac."

Other Alcohol drinks made from raisins include Arak Keshmesh, a Persian liquor akin to raisin brandy which is produced in the U.S., and contains about 50% alcohol. Zbib Nonos is an Egyptian distilled spirit made from raisins and flavored with anise that contains about 35% alcohol. Ginger, while not used in the fermentation of many types of alcohol, is a common ingredient in cocktails and a newly popular adjunct used to flavor beers.