South African ginger beer
A fizzy, fiery, traditional South African fermented drink infused with fresh ginger and naturally carbonated using the classic raisin trick.
South African ginger beer—the fizzy, festive drink that tastes like sunshine, Christmas, and childhood memories! There's nothing quite like a fresh, homemade batch. This traditional two-part recipe uses a quick ginger bug starter made with fresh unpeeled organic ginger and yeast, fermented for 24–48 hours in swing-top bottles with raisins. As the raisins float to the top, you know your natural, bubbly ginger beer is ready to chill and enjoy!
Before you start
Get your mise en place ready so nothing catches you out mid-cook.
Method
- 1
Make the Ginger Bug Starter
In a large jug or bowl, combine 2 litres of lukewarm water and 200 g sugar, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- 2
Sprinkle 2 g instant dry yeast into the sugar water and stir gently to combine.
- 3
Blitz 30–40 g fresh unpeeled organic ginger in a food processor or blender until finely minced, then add it directly into the jug.
The rest of this recipe
There's 2 more ingredients and 8 more steps to go.
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Ivana’s note
Using unpeeled organic ginger is the traditional secret! The skin holds natural wild yeasts that work alongside the added yeast to create that authentic, fiery, deep South African flavor profile.
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