Recipes

Homemade Ginger Beer

Audrey Saunders

Pegu Club - NYC

When used in small amounts, this strong ginger-based liquid will invigorate a variety of cocktails. While many store-bought ginger beers tend to be carbonated, don't be tempted to put this concoction into your soda siphon: carbonation will unpleasantly intensify the sharp ginger flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 gallon water
  • 1 pound ginger root, peeled
  • 4 ounces light brown sugar or 6 ounces light agave syrup
  • 2 ounces fresh lime juice

Method

Place the water in a pot and bring to a boil. Cut the ginger into smaller pieces and place in a food processor. Carefully add a cup of the boiling water and process until the mixture resembles mulch. Add to the rest of the boiling water and turn off the heat. Stir well, cover, and let sit for 1 hour.

Strain through a fine chinois or sieve, pressing down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. (The strained liquid will be cloudy.) Discard the solids. Add the lime juice and light brown sugar; stir to dissolve the sugar. Let cool. Transfer to bottles and store in the refrigerator.

Yield

1 gallon