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Ginger Beer

Fiery homemade ginger beer: fresh ginger steeped with lime and cloves for a day, then strained, sweetened and served over ice. No alcohol.

Drinks

  • 1 day est.
  • Serves 10
  • Easy
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Homemade ginger beer is a Christmas favourite in Trinidad and Tobago: lots of grated fresh ginger steeped in boiling water with lime peel and spice, strained and sweetened. It is much hotter and fresher than anything bought in a bottle.

This version is steeped rather than fermented, so it has no alcohol and no fizz. Top it up with sparkling water if you like bubbles.

There is no need to peel the ginger; just wash it well and grate it, skin and all.

The recipe

Ginger Beer

Prep
20 min
Cook
5 min
Steeping
1 day
Total
1 day
Serves
10
Makes
About 2½ quarts (2.5 litres)

Times and quantities are our best estimates. This recipe is still being kitchen-tested, so trust your eyes and taste as you go.

Ingredients

Tick items off as you gather them.

Method

Steep the ginger

  1. Scrub the ginger well and grate it, skin and all, or chop it and pulse in a food processor.
  2. Peel strips of zest from the limes and keep the limes for juicing.
  3. Put the ginger, lime zest, cloves and cinnamon in a large heatproof jar or bowl and pour over the boiling water. Stir, cover and leave in a cool place for 24 hours.

Finish

  1. Strain through a fine sieve lined with a clean cloth, squeezing out as much liquid as you can.
  2. Stir in the sugar until dissolved, and the juice of the limes.
  3. Taste: if it is too strong, add cold water. Chill and serve over ice.

Serve it with

  • Over ice, at Christmas or any time
  • With black cake or sweet bread

Substitutions

  • Sparkling: mix half and half with sparkling water just before serving.
  • Sugar: use brown sugar for a darker, deeper flavour.

Storing and reheating

  • Refrigerate in clean, closed bottles and drink within 1 week.

Cook's notes

  • The longer it steeps, the hotter it gets. Taste after 12 hours if you prefer it milder.
  • Keep the strained ginger beer refrigerated: it is not fermented or preserved.

https://trinbagorecipes.com/recipes/trinidad-ginger-beer/

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