Ginger And Turmeric Beer
Ginger And Turmeric Beer
Naturally fermented drinks have been consumed as daily tonics for centuries. Somehow over time these medicinal beverages have morphed into the sugar-laden fizzy sodas commercially available today. The good news is that these tonics are quite easy to prepare, requiring just a little patience while the process of fermentation works its magic. — Carla Oates, author of The Beauty ChefThis recipe requires one cup of the Ginger and Turmeric Bug recipe.
Servings
5
Ingredients
- 1 cup ginger and turmeric bug
- 1/2 cup organic raw (demerara) sugar
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon coarsely grated organic ginger, skin on
- 1 tablespoon coarsely grated organic turmeric, skin on
- 4 cracked black peppercorns
- 6 filtered water
- lemon verbena, to garnish (optional)
Directions
- Combine the ginger and turmeric bug, sugar, lemon juice, ginger, turmeric, and peppercorns in a sterilized 8-cup (2-liter / 68-fluid-ounce) glass jar or specialized fermentation jar with an airlock lid.
- Stir using a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar. Add the water and stir to combine.
- Cover the jar with a double layer of muslin (cheesecloth) and secure with a rubber band.
- If using a specialized fermenting jar, secure the lid.
- Leave to stand at room temperature for 3–5 days, or until the mixture becomes pleasantly tangy with a little sweetness remaining.
- Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into two sterilized 4-cup (1-litre / 34-fluid-ounce) glass bottles, leaving a 5-centimeter (2-inch) gap between the liquid and the lid to allow space for gases to be released as part of the fermentation process.
- Bottles with a swing-top lid are best.
- Let stand at room temperature for 2–3 days, until carbonated.
- Ensure you open the bottles every 12 hours to release gases (known as burping), to prevent pressure build-up, which could cause bottles to explode.
- Refrigerate for 3 days to carbonate before use.
- Pour into glasses and garnish with a sprig of lemon verbena if desired.
- Adapted from The Beauty Chef by Carla Oates (Hardie Grant Books, August 2017)