Jamaican Texas Ginger Beer: How to make Ginger Beer

By  Harry

The last time I was in San Francisco I met up with my friend Zack Lara and drank his ginger beer.  Naturally I was curious how he made it.  Instead of just learning I decided to film and share how this magical drink was made.  Ginger beer is one of the only “Soft Drink” like drinks I dare go near.  It’s great for a bad stomach or a sore throat.  I also just love the spicy flavor that it gives you.  Here’s the video:

I’m sure the video isn’t enough so here’s Zack’s instructions for making his ginger beer:

Ingredients (makes 1 gallon)

1 lb. fresh ginger root (skin on)

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup lime juice

1/2 teaspoon rum extract (optional)

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 quarts water

4 freezer trays ice

Equipment

1-gallon pitcher

Big pot

Food processor or grater

Measuring cup

Measuring spoons

Step 1: Ginger

*Scrub and wash all ginger.  You don’t know where this stuff has been.

*Chop ginger into pieces small enough for your food procesor to handle.

*Use the food processor to grind up the ginger. Grind in batches. You can also use a hand grater.  Place ginger and any resulting juice in a large pot.  

*Bring to the boil. Turn off the heat. Let cool. The cooling down may take a 1-2 hours.  Do not add Ice.  The longer you let it cool the more ginger flavor you’ll get.

Step 2: Simple Syrup

*2 cups of water and add 2 cups of sugar after it boils.  Dissolve the solution so that no sugar crystals can be seen. 

Step 3: Mix

*When the ginger water is cool, use the strainer to strain it into the mixing bowl.  Use a fine rice strainer to roll the ginger.  I strain it by rotating in circles to make sure it rolls into a ball and lets it drain.  If not just use a bit more vanilla in the recipe.

*Squeeze 1/2 cup lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon of rum (but really to taste), and 1/2 cup of vanilla (but really to taste) into ginger w/ simple syrup.

*Stir well and taste to see if you need more rum or vanilla.  If it tastes flat then add more vanilla/rum.

*Once this is done bottle using a 50/50 ratio of soda water to ginger beer.  Alternatively store in concentrate form and add soda water when ready to serve.  Dont for get to shake lightly before serving.

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