5.0 from 3 votes
Ginja Beer (Ginger Beer)
Ginja beer (ginger beer) is an alcohol-free carbonated beverage produced by the natural fermentation of ginger, yeast and sugar.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Rest Time
2 d 1 hr
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 people
Course:
Drinks
Cuisine:
African , Vegan
Ingredients
For the ginger syrup
- 1 cup caster sugar
- ½ cup water
- 5 oz. fresh ginger , peeled and finely grated
For the ginja beer
- ¼ teaspoon dehydrated baker's yeast
- ginger syrup (preparation below)
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 7 cups water
Instructions
- Ginger syrup
- Pour the ginger, sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until reaching boiling point and the sugar is dissolved
- Turn off the heat and let the mixture steep for one hour.
- Filter the mixture (discard the pieces of ginger pulp) and let cool.
- Ginja beer
- Place a funnel at the top of a large plastic bottle.
- Sprinkle the yeast, and add the ginger syrup, lemon juice and water.
- Place the cap on the bottle and shake it until the yeast is dissolved.
- Place the bottle in a shaded area at room temperature or in a pantry, away from direct sunlight for 48 hours.
- At this stage, the ginja beer is ready to drink and must be refrigerated to prevent further fermentation.
- CAUTION: during fermentation, be sure to open the bottle every day to release the excess gas, otherwise the bottle may explode.
- Serve with ice.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- As with any beer yeast drink, the fermentation process continues. Refrigeration slows down the process but does not stop it completely.
- Ginger beer is a perishable drink that must be consumed within 10 days.
- When the drink ferments, the sediment settles at the bottom of the bottle. The drink can be filtered before being consumed.