Homemade ginger beer

Fiona Anderson

A stash of homemade ginger beer always seems to hit the spot. It’s easy to make and even easier to drink and making our own ginger beer has become a tradition in my family. It’s also a real thirst-quencher if the weather gods happen to smile on us and is perfect after a spot of backyard family cricket.

Ginger beer plant

8	Sultanas
2	Lemons, juice, plus 1 tsp pulp
4 tsp	White sugar
2 tsp	Ground ginger (Main)
2 cups	Water

Ginger beer

700 ml	Water, boiling
4 cups	White sugar
4	Lemons, juiced
6 ½ Ltr	Water, cold

Directions

Stage 1: Ginger beer plant

1. Place all ingredients into a screw top jar and leave for 2 to 3 days until mixture starts to ferment.
2. Feed plant each day for 7 days with 2 tsp ground ginger and 4 tsp sugar.

Stage 2: Ginger beer

1. Place boiling water, sugar and lemon juice into a large pot. Strain ginger beer plant through a piece of muslin into the pot, squeezing out as much liquid as possible.
2. Add second measure of water and mix together well to combine.
3. Bottle ginger beer in sterilised airtight bottles and place in a cool dark place for 1 to 2 weeks.
4. To keep ginger beer plant alive, place half the remaining mixture from the muslin into a screw top jar.
5. Add 2 cups of water and feed, as before, with 2 tsp ground ginger and 4 tsp of sugar each day, for 7 days, before making a new batch.