Ginger Beer

Recipe taken from family recipe book.

Ginger Beer

For the Ginger Beer “Bug” as Mum used to call it, mix together 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, the juice of 2 lemon and 1 quart of water. Keep covered and allow to stand for 3 days. Then pour off nearly all the liquid and feed the plant daily and 7 days with 1 large teaspoon sugar and 1 level teaspoon ground ginger. It may be used after four days.

To make up the Ginger Beer –

Put 5 cups sugar and 5 cups boiling water into a vessel large enough to hold the ingredients. (China or earthenware is best). Stir with a wooden spoon till the sugar has dissolved. Add 1 small breakfast cup of strained lemon juice and a scant pint of the ginger beer “bug”. After thoroughly stirring add 1 dessertspoon ginger and 10 quarts cold water. Stir well, cover. Stir well again in about 2 hours. Cover. Stand 24 hours without moving. Strain all clear liquid through muslin, bottle, cork, use in 3 days. Put sediment back into jug, cover, or put into a 2lb honey bottle. Feed daily as directed with 1 level teaspoon ginger and 1 teaspoon sugar. Keep covered.

Makes 10 to 12 quart bottles filled below neck. This ginger beer may be made from the plant many times.