Fizzy Ginger Beer

Quick homemade ginger beer

I have made delicious ginger beer in the past by first making a plant. I use Rhonda's ginger beer from scratch recipe

 But the other day I had some lemon juice to use up and wanted to make ginger beer quickly.
 I wrote in last week's frugal tasks that I would share the recipe for a no plant ginger beer if it turned out well- and it did!

This recipe is from one of my favourite cook books from the 90's called Dollars and Cents- Eating Well For Less by Alison Holst. We use this book every week and it has lots of great and tasty recipes for cooking on a budget. I have altered the recipe slightly as the original used 1 tsp of lemon essence instead of the fresh juice. But use which one you have on hand.

Fizzy Ginger Beer

2 c white sugar
1 TBS ground ginger
1 tsp tartaric acid or substitute 1/4 tsp of citric acid
4 TBS lemon juice
6 c hot water
10 c cold water
1 tsp active yeast

Measure the sugar, ginger, acid and lemon into a large pot. Add the hot water and stir well to dissolve the sugar. You can also boil on a low heat if granules still remain.

When the sugar has dissolved add the cold water, 2 cups at a time, mix well after each inclusion.  Once you have added enough cold water so it has turned luke warm, ladel a portion out into a small bowl and add the yeast. Stir well until it dissolves then add this to the pot and mix the whole lot well.

Pour the ginger beer into clean plastic bottles- I use old soft drink bottles. Leave room at the top of each one for expansion. Leave to sit for 24-48 hours. Bottles should feel nice and firm. Refrigerate before drinking. Lasts about 2 weeks.

Enjoy!