Traditional ginger beer has been a huge part of many cultures for centuries and is still made in homes all over the world today. It’s a refreshing, slightly spicy drink that can be enjoyed on its own or used as a mixer in cocktails.
Commercial ginger beers nowadays make huge batches of the drink and use mass-produced ginger ale as their base.
This alcoholic beverage is made by fermenting fresh ginger, sugar, and water. The combination of these three ingredients results in a slightly sweet and carbonated drink with a strong ginger flavor.
But is it possible to make your own ginger beer at home without any special equipment? The answer is yes! This homemade ginger beer recipe is easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients.
So let’s find out how to make ginger beer!
What is ginger beer?
Ginger beer is a type of carbonated beverage that is brewed using ginger root, sugar, and water. It has a sweet and spicy flavor and is often used as a mixer for alcoholic drinks.
Ginger beer originated in England in the 18th century and has since become popular in many other countries. Ginger beer’s smokey and spicy flavor pairs well with a variety of spirits, making it a popular choice for mixed drinks. It can also be enjoyed on its own as a non-alcoholic beverage.
The fermenting ginger in ginger beer can sometimes cause it to be slightly alcoholic, although the alcohol content is usually very low. If you are looking for a non-alcoholic beverage, make sure to check the label before purchasing.
Difference between ginger ale and ginger beer
Ginger ale is a carbonated soft drink that is flavored with ginger and typically contains no alcohol. Similar to soft drinks, ginger ales are usually non-fermented.
The main difference between the two drinks is their manufacturing process. Ginger ale is made by mixing carbonated water with ginger flavoring, while ginger beer undergoes a fermentation process that gives it a slightly alcoholic content.
What are the key ingredients of alcoholic ginger beer?
The key ingredients of ginger beer are
- Fermenting a mixture of ginger
- Water
- Sugar
- Cream of tartar
- Champagne yeast
- Lemon juice(optional)
Depending on your taste preference you can add more ginger to add some gingery kick to it. Ginger syrup could be used as a shortcut to adding more ginger flavor. Bundaberg ginger beer is a popular alcoholic homemade ginger beer.
How to make ginger beer at home?
Yes! You can make ginger beer at home. You don’t need a ginger beer plant or some kind of ginger bug to get started.
All you need is:
- 2 1/2 cups of warm and filter water
- Champagne yeast 1 1/2 tablespoon
- 2 juiced lemon
- Finely grated ginger, 7 tablespoon
- Sugar 7 tablespoon (powdered would be better)
- A glass jar
Process
So now that we have all the key ingredients, let’s get started on the process:
1. Combine the water, sugar, and ginger in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Cook the mixture until the sugar has dissolved and the ginger is fragrant.
3. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes.
4. Add the lemon juice and cream of tartar to the mixture and stir well.
5. Pour the mixture into a glass jar and add the yeast.
6. Cover the jar with a cloth and let it sit in a warm place for 24 hours so that the yeast can activate.
7. After 24 hours, strain the mixture and bottle it.
8. Let the bottles sit in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks so that the ginger beer can ferment.
9. After 2 weeks, refrigerate the bottles and enjoy!
If you want to get creative, you can also add other flavors to your ginger beer such as lime, mint, or even strawberries. Be sure to experiment and have fun with it!
Conclusion
So there you have it! Now you know all about ginger beer, from its history and key ingredients to how to make it at home. It’s not too hard to make, and it’s a refreshing and delicious drink to enjoy any time of year. So go ahead and give it a try, you might just be surprised at how much you like it!
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