Ingredients for Ginger Beer
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How to Make Ginger Beer
- **Prepare the Ginger Beer Bug:** In a large glass jar, combine 1/4 cup lukewarm water, 1 teaspoon active dry yeast, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 1 tablespoon ground ginger.
- Cover the jar loosely with a clean cloth and let it stand at room temperature for 24 hours.
- **Feed the Bug:** For the next 10 days, feed the bug daily with 1 teaspoon ground ginger and 1 teaspoon sugar. Stir gently.
- **Make the Ginger Beer:** In a saucepan, combine 1 liter (4 cups) of water and 1 cup of sugar. Heat gently, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup lemon juice and 1 liter (4 cups) cold water.
- Carefully strain the ginger beer bug liquid through two layers of cheesecloth or a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, leaving the sediment behind.
- Add the strained bug liquid to the sugared water in the saucepan. Stir gently.
- **Bottle the Beer:** Sterilize your bottles (using a sterilizing solution from a homebrew shop is recommended). Carefully pour the ginger beer mixture into the bottles, leaving about an inch of headspace.
- Cap the bottles tightly and let them stand at room temperature for 2 days, or until carbonation begins (significant fizzing).
- **Chill and Enjoy:** Once fizzy, refrigerate the bottles to slow down fermentation. Chill thoroughly before opening. Be prepared for some fizz when opening!
- **Propagate the Bug:** Divide the remaining ginger beer bug sediment in the jar into two. You now have two bugs to feed and can double your ginger beer recipe next time!
- Note: Always store bottles upright in a cool place to prevent bottle breakage. Cover the storage area with plastic sheeting, in case of bottle failure.
Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)
Sodium
0 g
Sugar
339g
Fat
0g
Carbs
28g