How To Make Ginger Beer With Ginger Powder
Making ginger beer at home with ginger powder is a fun and simple process that doesn’t require fresh ginger. Ginger powder provides a concentrated ginger flavor and is easy to work with. With just a few ingredients and a little patience, you can enjoy a refreshing, fizzy homemade ginger beer. Here’s how to make ginger beer with ginger powder step-by-step.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons ginger powder
- 1 cup sugar (white or brown)
- 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast (for carbonation)
- Juice of 1 lemon (for flavor)
- Clean bottle with a tight seal (plastic or glass)
Step 1: Prepare the Ginger Mixture
Begin by creating a ginger syrup that will form the base of your ginger beer.
Pour 4 cups of water into a saucepan and bring it to a gentle simmer.
Add 2 tablespoons of ginger powder to the water and stir well until it dissolves completely.
Stir in 1 cup of sugar until it fully dissolves. The sugar is essential as it provides food for the yeast to create carbonation.
- Add Lemon Juice for Flavor
The lemon juice adds a tangy taste that complements the spiciness of the ginger.
Squeeze the juice of one lemon and add it to the ginger mixture. Stir well to combine.
- Cool the Mixture
Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before adding the yeast, as hot water will kill the yeast.
Transfer the ginger mixture to a bowl or keep it in the pot, and let it sit until it reaches room temperature.
- Add Yeast for Carbonation
Adding yeast to the mixture will create natural carbonation, which gives the ginger beer its fizz.
Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of active dry yeast into the cooled ginger mixture. Stir gently to incorporate the yeast.
Leave the mixture for about 5 minutes to let the yeast activate slightly before bottling.
- Bottle the Ginger Beer
Pour the ginger beer mixture into a clean, sealable bottle. Plastic bottles are often recommended for home brewing, as they expand with pressure and help you monitor carbonation.
Use a funnel to pour the mixture into a bottle, leaving about 1 inch of space at the top.
Tightly seal the bottle to trap the carbonation inside.
- Let It Ferment
Allow the ginger beer to ferment for a short period to develop fizz and flavor.
Leave the bottle at room temperature (around 70°F or 21°C) for about 12 to 24 hours. Check the bottle occasionally by squeezing it to gauge the pressure. When the bottle feels firm, it’s ready to be refrigerated.
- Refrigerate and Enjoy
Once carbonated, refrigerate the ginger beer to stop fermentation and chill it for drinking.
Place the bottle in the refrigerator for at least an hour before opening. Chilling will also help with any excess carbonation.
Open the bottle carefully, as homemade ginger beer can sometimes be very fizzy. Pour into a glass over ice and enjoy your refreshing, homemade ginger beer.
Final Tips
For a stronger ginger flavor, you can increase the ginger powder. For less sweetness, reduce the sugar slightly.
If you prefer a more carbonated drink, let it sit longer at room temperature, but be cautious not to over-carbonate, as the pressure can build up.
Also Read: How To Keep Water Clean