How to Make Ginger Beer - The Victorian Way

fresh ginger

🥗Healthier: ginger powder

💰Cheaper: ginger syrup

Ginger powder is more accessible and easier to store.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey adds flavor while reducing refined sugar.

lemon juice

🥗Healthier: lime juice

💰Cheaper: citric acid

Lime juice provides a similar tartness.

yeast

🥗Healthier: kombucha starter

💰Cheaper: sourdough starter

Kombucha starter can add probiotics.

Prepare lemon zest by carefully cutting off the peel, avoiding the bitter pith.

Chop and bruise the fresh ginger after peeling it.

Melt sugar in boiling water.

Add the lemon zest and chopped ginger to the hot water mixture.

Let the mixture cool until it is just slightly warm.

Prepare a paste with the yeast using a piece of warm toast spread with yeast.

Cover the yeast mixture and place it by the fire for about two days to ferment.

After fermentation, strain the mixture through butter muslin or a very fine cloth into bottles.

Bottle the ginger beer, ensuring to seal them properly to avoid continued fermentation.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary