Reviewed: Apr. 27, 2009

I got this just the way I like it on my fourth try. I used 1/2 pound grated fresh ginger, juice from one lemon, 1 cup of sugar, and 1/8 tsp of yeast. I let all that ferment in the 2-liter bottle for 24 hours, during which time I let the pressure off once or twice. Next I pour it through a sieve and a funnel into 20 oz soda bottles. A 2-liter bottle will fill three soda bottles. I leave these out to ferment for at least 24 more hours, after which I refrigerate them. All this results in a ginger beer that is very carbonated but without too strong a taste of yeast (at least until you get close to the bottom of the bottle). It is not overly sweet and the ginger and lemon are both pronounced but not overpowering.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
2 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Johnny Burnaway

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Apr. 22, 2009

I liked this recipe, but next time i will triple ginger.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

liliya P

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Anoka, Minnesota, USA

Living In: Ramsey, Minnesota, USA

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Apr. 10, 2009

This was SO GOOD! I love ginger, so next time I make it I'll probably add more like 3 tbsp of that, and cut down on the sugar to 3/4 cup, because I found it quite sweet. It turned out great, though, I'm so pleased!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
0 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Pacha

Cooking Level: Intermediate

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Jul. 2, 2008

not bad! I used only half the yeast, which resulted in plenty of carbonation but no yeasty taste. For those who are bottle-opening-challenged, let some of the gas out during the first 24 hrs. and then take it SLOWLY. Even if the liquid doesn't rise quickly at first, IT WILL, so be at the ready. Only thing, for me, was getting past the light color. Does that mean this is ginger BEER?

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
3 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

EndoMom

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Apr. 22, 2008

This is wonderful! I don't know why anyone would have such a problem with carbonation, unless they don't know how yeast works, or don't know how to open a bottle. I am going to play with the sugar, ginger and lemon amounts in the MANY batches I plan to make. This is really tasty! And easy! Mine was also ready a little sooner too.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
11 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

gwendolyn028

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Apr. 6, 2008

This was fun and novel. It was fresh tasting and my guests liked it. Of course, everyone thinks you are a genius for making it. I added A LOT more ginger (double?) but it wasn't too much because the lemon is pretty pronounced. You have to S-L-O-W-L-Y open the cap.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
4 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

JennyGirl

Cooking Level: Intermediate

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Mar. 2, 2008

Following is a site that has further instructions in making this same recipe, but without having to clean your entire kitchen!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
9 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Jan

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Feb. 24, 2008

First let me say that I have not made this recipe. The yeast you want to try is Champagne yeast (Red Star brand is decent as I use it in Root Beer). Beer yeast will have too many off flavors that are important for different varieties of beer but not soda. Also, be careful that you don't bottle in glass as you could create a bottle bomb depending on fermentation temp and how tight the cap/lid is. As with any fermentation with yeast and fermentables (sugar) there will always be a % of alcohol (small but still present). After 2-3 days the jug needs to be chilled and kept at fridgerator temps to force the yeast to settle and become inactive (they don't die just become inactive). Remember, yeast is a living organism and will continue to thrive when conditions are right for them which means eating the sugars and creating the by-product alcohol.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
24 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

jdca5033

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Decatur, Illinois, USA

Living In: Oswego, Illinois, USA

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Aug. 3, 2007

I made this recipe and will never try it again. The taste is not anything like a ginger ale, tasted more like Fresca. No one mentioned that the carbonation of this particular recipe will make a super mess. Mine was also ready after 24 hours. I opened the bottle after 48 hours then spent a good part of the evening cleaning all the ginger ale from the kitchen. Ceiling to floor. I doubt I will ever try this again. Hopefully this will help another reader when they try to open the bottle!!!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
11 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

DB2990

Cooking Level: Expert

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Aug. 1, 2007

I have not tried this recipe yet, but one reviewer wanted to know if there is a way to have a less yeasty taste. You can find special yeasts for winemaking and brewing beer at some specialty shops that do not tast as yeasty.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
5 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

CityMouse

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Jun. 15, 2007

I've made this 4 or 5 times now,each time I try it with more ginger.I'm trying to get it where it has just the right amount of "bite" from the ginger.The last batch I made with approximately 355 grams of ginger,a WAY lot more than 2 tablespoons.Instead of grating the ginger I run it through my juicer,made for a lot less work and it cuts down on the amount of sediment in the bottom of the bottles(I used 2-1 liter bottles).The next time I make this I think I'll cut the sugar back to 3/4 cup.The juice of one lemon is just right also,any more and it would change the balance of flavors.One other thing I found is that it's carbonated after only 12 hours on my counter,and I live in a basement suite.With my changes what I'm making is basically a ginger beer,but that's what I'm trying to achieve.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
19 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

WHATAYAWANT

Cooking Level: Beginning

Living In: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Aug. 1, 2006

This does taste way better than store-bought ginger ale, but it is incredibly sweet due to all the sugar, not to mention high in calories. This was fun to try, but I doubt I'll make it again for that reason. Thanks!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
4 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Caroline C

Cooking Level: Expert

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: May 8, 2006

I know this recipe works because it's identical to the one that I already use! I put at LEAST 2 Tbs of ginger root in mine because I love ginger. Because it's a bit difficult to put the grated ginger into those small-mouth bottles, you can soak the grated ginger overnight in a separate container, strain it, and then pour it into the 2-ltr bottle together with the other ingredients. It works either way! Beats store-bought ginger ale by many miles and of course is much cheaper. The only(little)thing I would like to see changed is using something besides regular yeast so that it won't have that slight yeasty taste. Is there anything else that can be used to give it the needed carbonation? Does brewer's yeast have that same taste??

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
38 users found this review helpful