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What is Ginger Beer?

Ginger beer is a staple around the holidays on many of the Caribbean islands. It’s made with fresh ginger root and spices, allowed to ferment for a couple of days, and sweetened with brown or white sugar.

How to Enjoy Ginger Beet?

This delicious drink can accompany any holiday meal along with sorrel drink–and your favorite wine, rum or liquor in general.

Ginger Beer Variations

Some folks add bitters or lime juice before allowing it to ferment. It’s all a matter of personal preference. The flavor ranges from strong to light, but either way, it’s refreshing and satisfying.

Is this recipe easy to make at home?

I have always found the thought of ginger beer daunting, which is why I have not made it frequently in the past. I honestly felt it was a task that should be reserved for professionals until I tried it myself. It was the easiest thing to make once I figured out how to make it. I consulted with my mom, who gave me some very helpful tips that ensured the success of the ginger beer. Those tips I have incorporated into the recipe below. She did not recommend boiling first, but I felt that would strengthen the flavors—just a personal preference.

Growing up, I really did not appreciate ginger beer, but now that I am older and can control the result, I make a product that I thoroughly enjoy and consider selling.

What is the difference between ginger beer, ginger tea and ginger juice?

If you don’t allow it to sit for a couple of days to ferment, you will not be making ginger beer but ginger tea(ginger boiled with water) or ginger juice(ginger juice mixed with water), so don’t skip that step!

What if I don’t like a strong gingery taste?

This recipe is not too light or too strong, which will make it enjoyable for all.

Does ginger beer contain alcohol?

Regardless of the name, this ginger beer is not an alcoholic drink. Some folks add alcohol before serving, but that is totally optional.

I hope you add it to your holiday menu this year –and please consider leaving a star rating below!

CARIBBEAN GINGER BEER

Ginger beer is a staple around the holidays on many of the Caribbean islands. It’s made with fresh ginger root, spices, allowed to ferment for a couple of days and sweetened with brown or white sugar. I have seen many recipes that do not allow it to sit for a couple of days and I would say that is just a ginger drink. Some add bitters or lime juice before allowing it to ferment. It’s all a matter of personal preference. The flavor ranges from strong or light but either way it’s refreshing and satisfying.

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks, Snack

Cuisine: Caribbean, Trinidadian

Keyword: caribbean ginger beer, ginger beer

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 2

Servings:

Calories: 108kcal

Ingredients

1 lb ginger peeled and grated peeled and grated
10 cups water
4 cinnamon sticks
10 cloves
2 cups sugar or to taste
1/4 cup white rice
Star Anise optional
Lime Juiced, optional
Angostura Bitters optional

Instructions

Rinse and peel ginger
In a large pot, add 10 cups water, cinnamon sticks, cloves and boil for 5 mins. Add ginger and boil for an additional 5 mins. Remove from flame and allow it to cool.
Pour into a glass bottle or jar or mug and mix in rinsed rice --and optional ingredients if using.
Cover and allow it to sit for 2-4 days on your counter or until the ginger floats to the top—sometimes takes up to 6 days. It will ferment quicker in a warmer climate.
In a saucepan add 1 cup of water and 2 cups of sugar over low heat and stir to dissolve.
Once the ginger beer has fermented, strain into a bowl, gradually add the sugar syrup in increments until you are satisfied with the sweetness, depending on whether you like it strong or light. More sugar will dilute the spiciness of the ginger so keep that in mind.