Ginger Beer
I love this time of year, there’s something about Fall that signifies warmth…ironic, I know. Maybe it’s the leaves changing to tones of oranges and brown before falling to the ground or the snuggley scarves, warm fires and hot chocolate. Or maybe because it’s the beginning of the holiday season, my favorite time of year. Whatever the reason.. I LOVE FALL! If you’re missing that warm and fuzzy feeling and all u can feel is the chill, I have something to warm you up, spicy Ginger beer. Traditionally this is a holiday staple in Guyana. America has eggnog and apple cider and we have ginger beer. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I developed a taste for ginger beer, it is indeed an adult beverage and an acquired taste. As the name suggest this is flavored with ginger, so it packs some punch. If you find it a bit too spicy for you, a great addition is pineapple juice, it cuts the heat just a tad bit and gives it a great fruity flavor. Also a bit of rum will kick this up a notch.
“Christmas comes but once a year,
And every man will have is share,
Only poor Willy in de jail,
Drinking sour ginger beer.“
Get the Recipe One of my favorite things
Ingredients
- 1 lb ginger
- 3 Quarts water, room temp
- 3 cups sugar
- 9 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick about
- 3 pieces orange peel
Instructions
- In a blender add peeled and chopped ginger and 2 cups water and blend. Pour into mug and add cloves, cinnamon stick and orange peel. Allow to sit for at least 24 hours.
- Allow to sit longer for a stronger ginger flavor. Using a strainer, strain ginger mixture into a gallon sized mug, making sure to separate the solids from the liquid. Add sugar and the rest of the water; mix well until sugar is dissolved.
- Chill before serving.
Me too! Homemade ginger beer. NICE!
Mmmm, so full of fall flavor. Didn’t know this was a popular drink there. Thanks for sharing something new for us to make for friends. 🙂
Oh my gosh, how fun! I just did some research on ginger this week…it’s one of my favorites! I’ll have to give this a try this fall 🙂
I came across your site because my daughter and her friend is doing a project on Guyana. They chose to do roti and curry.
When I found your Ginger Beer recipe it brought back childhood memories growing up in Guyana with my aunt making ginger beer at Christmas time. Christmas wasn’t Christmas in Guyana without Ginger Beer, homemade rice wine, homemade bread, pepperpot, and cassava pone.
I will try your recipe. It looks like the ginger beer that my aunt made. Thanks for making it available to others.
Jehan,
I have always wanted to make ginger beer. I read your recipe and I saw 3 qts of water. But in the direction, you only use 2 cups of water (when blending). When would the rest of the water added? After blending/pulverizing the ginger or after it sits for 24 hours?
I’ve read other recipes where the sugar is added before “the short fermentation” process. Why do you add the sugar after?
I look forward to your feedback.
Hi Tuty, I add the water after I’ve strained the solids. I add the sugar after because that’s the way my mom made it, this produces less of an aerated beverage. Sugar and the length of time causes the beverage to become alcoholic during the fermentation process, it will also become fizzy. I personally like this version, as it’s what I’m familiar with and have grown to love. I hope that I’ve answered you question.
Thank you, Jehan. My Guyanese husband prefers the fizzy one. Now, I know the difference.
I enjoy reading your blog. Your bakes recipe is our family’s brunch favorite 🙂
Hi Jehan someone use barley and rice to make Jinger beer. Do you know anything about this? My dad really love this and I want to make it for him this Christmas. Thanks.
Hi Sheron, yes I’ve heard of it being made with rice and yeast but never barley. If I’m mistaken it helps the ginger beer forment.
So trying this.
I feel like having oxtail soup, do you have a recipe for that?
No I don’t have one Indie, but I will add it to my to-do list.
I tried your ginger beer recipe,myself and daughter have enjoy it very much.I have made gingerbeer before but never taste this spicey love it.Thank you very much.