Guest Post by Advanced Mixology

Ginger Beer – the perfect addition to any cocktail, infusing your taste buds with the right amount of spice. It’s a naturally carbonated beverage with a flavor profile that’s both tangy and smooth, making it a worthy staple in your home bar. Not to mention, ginger is a source of several health benefits. 

Nowadays, there are tons of no-frills ways to brew ginger beer at home. Here, we’re sharing with you our version of fermented ginger beer. This timeless recipe ferments ginger juice with sugar and water, resulting in a sharp taste we’ve all come to love.

Health Benefits

Aside from its signature taste, ginger beer is packed with nutrients. With its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, ginger root can prevent infections and ease nausea. It also promotes good digestion and relieves heartburn for an overall happy and healthy heart.

Research also suggests that ginger can deeply cleanse the body, particularly the gut, through a process called microflora. No wonder why ginger was a popular medicinal herb among ancient healing practitioners.

Homemade Ginger Beer Recipe

Brewing your own ginger beer at home is crazy simple and only takes a few minutes to prepare.  

You will need:

• 1 oz. of fresh ginger juice (store-bought or freshly grated)
• 2 oz. of fresh lemon juice
• 3. oz. of simple syrup
• 12 oz. of warm water
• 25 granules of Champagne yeast 

Directions:

1. Pour ginger juice, lemon juice, and the simple syrup of your choice into a mixing bowl. 
2. Stir the mixture until it arrives at a smooth consistency.
3. Using a funnel, slowly transfer the liquid to a 16 oz. flip top bottle. Ensure that you leave enough headroom on top, do not fill the bottle to the rim.
4.  Add the granules of Champagne yeast to the bottle.
5. Seal the bottle and store it in a warm, dark place for at least 48 hours or until it fizzes to your liking.
6. Chill, then enjoy it!

How does it work?

As soon as the yeast activates in the ginger beer, the magic starts to happen!  While the yeast sits in the liquid, it feeds on the sugar and releases carbon dioxide – causing it to fizz and bubble up. If you don’t plan on drinking the ginger beer immediately, be sure to refrigerate it as this slows the carbonation process, otherwise over-fermenting the ginger beer.

Tips to remember:

Release the pressure: Open the lid at least once every day while your ginger beer is fermenting, this allows your bottles to “burp” and release the pressure building up from the carbon dioxide. This will prevent your ginger beer from exploding.

Open it over a sink: When opening your bottles, it is recommended that you do it over a sink to avoid a potential mess caused by the effervescence. Remember: the more sugar is in the mixture, the more yeast will generate.

Do not rush: For that ultimate fizzy goodness, be patient towards your homemade brew.

You can drink it on its own but you can also use this ginger beer to make your favorite Moscow Mule recipes. Check out the variant that suits your taste well – classic, Mexican, Kentucky, or Gin Gin Mule. Find the right vodka for your classic Moscow Mule recipes here.  

However you choose to drink this all-time favorite, it’ll never cease to be refreshing and deliciously satisfying.