RCI-VG.005.0064.002
Ginger Beer
Ginger Beer is a traditional fermented drink that can be made as either a soft drink or an alcoholic drink. Make it in a carboy with more sugar or malt extract, and with longer fermentation time, for alcoholic ginger beer.
Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Total45 min
Servings4
Difficultyintermediate
Ingredients
- (0.6 ounce) cake compressed fresh yeast1 unit
- castor sugar or superfine sugar2 teaspoons
- 2 teaspoons
- 2 cups
- castor sugar or superfine sugar7 teaspoonsdivided
- ground ginger7 teaspoonsdivided
- 3¾ cups
- 5 cups
- 12½ cups
- strained fresh lemon juice½ cup
Method
1
Peel and finely grate or mince approximately 2 inches of fresh ginger root, then combine it with 1 cup of white sugar and 1 cup of boiling water in a saucepan, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves.
5 minutes
2
Bring the ginger-sugar mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, allowing the ginger to steep and infuse into the syrup.
10 minutes
3
Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the ginger syrup to cool completely to room temperature before proceeding.
30 minutes
4
Juice the lemon and strain the juice to remove seeds, then stir the lemon juice into the cooled ginger syrup.
5 minutes
5
Strain the ginger syrup through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large pitcher or bottle, discarding the ginger solids.
5 minutes
6
Add 4 cups of cold still water to the strained ginger syrup and stir well to combine, tasting and adjusting sweetness or lemon juice as desired.
3 minutes
7
Seal the pitcher or bottle and refrigerate the ginger beer for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the drink to chill thoroughly.
120 minutes
8
Serve the ginger beer over ice, optionally topping each glass with sparkling water for added effervescence, and garnish with a slice of lemon if desired.
2 minutes