Ginger beer + ginger bug
This is my failproof method to make a successful ginger bug. The first time I made it, I ran into a lot of issues getting it started, but now it works every time.
Ingredients
To start:
- 2 cups filtered water
- 1 tablespoon unpeeled organic ginger
- 1 tablespoon sugar
To feed daily:
- 1 tablespoon unpeeled organic ginger
- 1 tablespoon sugar
To make ginger beer:
- ¼ cup ginger bug
- 4 cups fruit juice (my favorite is apple juice)
Instructions
Ginger Bug
- Combine the water, ginger, and sugar in a mason jar. Stir vigorously until the sugar dissolves. Loosely cover with a lid, plastic wrap, or a paper towel with an elastic band. Store in a cool, dark place.
- Feed your bug daily with one tablespoon of chopped ginger and one tablespoon of sugar. Make sure to stir vigorously each time until the sugar mostly dissolves.
- By day 3, you should notice some bubbles sitting on top of the water. By day 5, you should see a steady stream of bubbles. The mixture should smell yeasty with a hint of ginger. If there are any bad smells like sulfur, eggs, or farts, then bacteria have taken over and you will need to restart.
Ginger Beer
- Add ¼ cup of the ginger bug (make sure to stir it well beforehand) and 4 cups of fruit juice to a glass jar. Cover it loosely with a lid for 1-2 days until you see a steady stream of bubbles. Transfer the liquid to a plastic soda bottle or flip-top brewing bottle and close the lid tightly. Let it ferment for another 1-3 days, burping every 12 hours, until it reaches your desired level of carbonation. Then transfer to the fridge and consume within two weeks.