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One-Week Ginger Beer

Photo Credit
Brent Hofacker/shutterstock
The Editors
Yield
Makes 10 to 12 servings.
Category
Beverages
Course
Other
Preparation Method
Boil
Sources
Yankee Magazine's Lost and Vintage Recipes
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Have you ever had real ginger beer? This is a spicy, refreshing beverage made with just four ingredients (and one of them is water!). If you find it too strong or like some pizzazz in your drink, combine it with seltzer water in a ratio that works for you.

Please note: Despite the name, this is completely nonalcoholic and works well to quench your thirst on a hot summer day.

Ingredients
3 quarts of water
1 pound fresh ginger, grated
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup brown sugar, or to taste
Instructions
  1. Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a saucepan, then remove from heat. Add ginger and steep overnight.
  2. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing ginger to release flavor. Pour into a pitcher or bottle using a funnel. 
  3. Add lime juice and 1 cup sugar; stir or shake vigorously. 
  4. Cover and store at room temperature; let the mixture steep (and dregs settle) for 24 hours. 
  5. Decant to a second bottle with a tight-fitting screw top and refrigerate for 3 to 5 days.
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The Old Farmer's Almanac Editors

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Comments

PJ (not verified)

4 months 3 weeks ago

Is it consumed during or after the 3-5 days of refrigeration?

Hi, PJ. You will consume the drink after the 3 to 5 days of refrigeration. It should continue to be refrigerated until the bottle is empty.

CW (not verified)

1 year 8 months ago

What would the alcohol content be?

Rebecca (not verified)

3 years 3 months ago

Will this end up being fizzy?

Hi, Rebecca. You could add a little seltzer water to each glass to make the drink fizzy.

Gloria Richman (not verified)

9 years 3 months ago

Can Stevia or agave nectar be used in place of sugar? I love ginger drinks but am unable to consume this much sugar!

For each cup of sugar, use 2/3 cup of agave and reduce the other liquids by 1/4 cup.
Stevia can substituted by replacing 1 cup of sugar with 1 teaspoon of stevia.

paco12348 (not verified)

13 years 4 months ago

How would one use selzer water? Wouldn't that weaken it down if added afterwards?

Yes, we recommend mixing with seltzer if you find that the flavor is too strong. Otherwise, you can enjoy the drink as is.