This Easy Homemade Ginger Beer Recipe is healthy, spicy, fizzy and delicious! Perfect for holiday cocktails like Moscow Mule and Dark ‘n’ Stormy!
I know, it sounds like ginger beer is very hard to make from scratch. I’m here to prove you that it’s not! You are now less than 20 minutes away from delicious and healthy homemade ginger beer that you can use later for cocktails like Moscow Mule or Dark ‘n’ Stormy.
Ginger beer is often confused with ginger ale. However, the difference is enormous. While ginger beer is produced by the natural fermentation, ginger ale is artificially carbonated and sweetened. And no, there isn’t any beer in either of them!
Since ginger beer is a fermented drink, it is naturally carbonated and sweetened. Naturally fermented beverages like homemade ginger beer are packed with nutrients, probiotics and enzymes, as opposed to highly processed and overly sweetened commercial sodas.
Why Make Homemade Ginger Beer?
Well, the main incentive for me to make anything from scratch is that I’m in control of the ingredients. I don’t want any additives, preservatives and sweeteners in my ginger beer.
So what is in my ginger beer recipe? Obviously, the main ingredient is fresh ginger root. In addition, I use lemon juice, brewer’s yeast and small amounts of brown sugar to activate and feed the yeast. I sweeten the ginger beer with more sugar or honey to taste once it’s fermented.
I like that I can regulate the sweetness, since most of the processed drinks taste overly sweet to me.
The taste of this homemade ginger beer is a bit more rich and intense. I like the authentic spiciness but if you don’t, you can always dissolve it with water.
This ginger beer is naturally fizzy because of the gas released during the fermentation process, so you’ll hear a nice “plop” sound and see a wisp of steam when you open a flip top (swing top) bottle with your freshly brewed ginger beer. It’s priceless!
Ginger beer is a great base for holiday cocktails like Moscow Mule and Dark ‘n’ Stormy. Believe me, this homemade ginger beer tastes amazing in cocktails and is much cheaper than store-bought.
Just think how impressive your cocktail party will be with cocktails based on your own ginger beer made from scratch! I bet your guests will love it!
Health Benefits of Homemade Ginger Beer
Naturally fermented ginger beer gives your immune system a boost which it needs so bad at this time of the year. Moreover, some of the health benefits the homemade ginger beer offers are:
- has anti-inflammatory properties;
- relieves nausea (perfect against morning sickness if you are pregnant!);
- helps fight infection;
- soothes respiratory symptoms;
- helps lower cholesterol levels;
- improves digestion;
- helps prevent colon cancer;
- reduces muscle pain and soreness, as well as menstrual pain;
- has anti-diabetic properties;
- protects against Alzheimer’s disease;
- lowers the risk of heart disease.
Fermented food is great against common cold or flu. It contains probiotics that help you fight viruses and get well sooner. Make sure to include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sourdough bread, pickles, tempeh, miso, kimchi and sauerkraut in your diet to prevent getting sick and/or fight viruses.
How to Make Homemade Ginger Beer
When it comes to making your own ginger beer, you have two options:
– use naturally fermented ginger bug;
– use brewer’s yeast.
Since my husband is a brewer, it was not a question for me which way to choose. Besides, it’s easier and faster.
To start with, prepare your ingredients: ginger root, lemons, sugar and brewer’s yeast. Where to get it if you don’t have a husband interested in brewing? Thanks to Amazon, you can order it online, so it shouldn’t be a problem!
Grate ginger, squeeze juice out of lemons, prepare four 16 oz (0.5 l) flip top bottles (or equivalent) and a fennel.
In a pot bring grated ginger and 2 cups of water (0.5 l) to a boil. Add brown sugar (or molasses for the darker color), a pinch of salt and cook until the sugar is dissolved, for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain the liquid through a sieve covered with a few layers of cheesecloth and squeeze well into a bowl.
Add the rest of the water, lemon juice and yeast. Stir to dissolve and pour into bottles using a funnel.
Let it ferment under room temperature for 48 hours, then transfer to the fridge to stop the fermentation process. Add extra sweetener of your choice before serving (honey, sugar, molasses or agave syrup). Enjoy!
Cook’s Tips
- If you can’t find brewer’s yeast in your local store, order it online.
- Use ginger beer for Moscow Mule, Dark’n’ Stormy or enjoy on its own.
- Serve ginger beer chilled with a few ice cubes.
- I found that 1 tablespoon of honey per bottle (16 oz) tastes the best. Make sure to dissolve your sweetener in a small amount of ginger beer before pouring it back into the bottle. Close the bottle and shake well. Don’t open directly after shaking!
Recipe Variations
- You can make ginger beer with naturally fermented ginger bug.
- Use any sweetener of your choice: any kind of sugar, agave juice, honey, maple syrup or molasses.
What are some other cocktails you can incorporate ginger beer in? Any ideas?
If you try this ginger beer recipe, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a star rating! I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to every comment.
Homemade Ginger Beer
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger root
- 2 quarts or 2 l water divided
- 4 tablespoon brown sugar or molasses
- a pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 cup or 120 ml lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon brewer's yeast
- sweetener of your choice to taste see notes
Instructions
- In a pot bring grated ginger and 2 cups of water (0.5 l) to a boil. Add brown sugar (or molasses for the darker color), a pinch of salt and cook until the sugar is dissolved, for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain the liquid through a sieve covered with a few layers of cheesecloth and squeeze well into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the rest of the water (about 6 cups), lemon juice and brewer's yeast. Stir to dissolve and pour into four 16 oz (0.5 l) flip top bottles (or equivalent) using a funnel, then cap them.
- Let it ferment under room temperature for 48 hours, then transfer to the fridge to stop the fermentation process. Add extra sweetener of your choice before serving (see notes). Enjoy!
Notes
Cook’s Tips
- If you can’t find brewer's yeast in your local store, order it online.
- Use ginger beer for Moscow Mule, Dark’n’ Stormy or enjoy on its own.
- Serve ginger beer chilled with a few ice cubes.
- I found that 1 tablespoon of honey per bottle (16 oz) tastes the best. Make sure to dissolve your sweetener in a small amount of ginger beer before pouring it back into the bottle. Close the bottle and shake well. Don't open directly after shaking!
Recipe Variations
- You can make ginger beer with naturally fermented ginger bug.
- Use any sweetener of your choice: any kind of sugar, agave juice, honey, maple syrup or molasses.
When it’s fermenting on the counter, should it be capped?
Yes!