Preheat oven to 350F.
Sift together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
With the paddle attachment (or your wooden spoon) cream butter and sugar together.
Add egg, molasses, and water. Mix until combined.
With mixer running on low, slowly add dry ingredients to butter mixture until a soft dough forms.
Roll into dough balls one tablespoon at a time.
Toss dough balls in sugar, place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 7 minutes.
While still hot from oven, use cookie cutter to cut out shapes and transfer to cooling rack.