Ginger tea or ginger syrup

Take a 3 inch thumb of ginger (do not bother to peel it -just cut off funky parts)and grate it or slice it into a small soup pot  and 6 cups water (2 cups if you are making syrup for later in the week). Boil until  the kitchen smells like ginger and the water gets yellowish, add 4 tb honey and wait a few minutes (still boiling). If you can handle it add 2 tb lemon or lime juice.
Drink hot or add syrup to seltzer after chilling

for ginger soda
Optional add ins
1/4 tsp nutmeg
pinch cardamom
1-2 whole cloves
3 oz pineapple juice
more lemon or lime juice
more honey