Jamaican Ginger Beer Recipe

By Clover Beadle

Jamaican Ginger Beer is a favorite of my family. I make mine with a generous amount of fresh ginger root, which makes it spicy. I love the tingly burning feeling that I get from drinking this homemade ginger beer. Add more water to dilute the strength of the recipe. Ginger is great for digestion and nausea. It can also help to reduce inflammation.

Ingredients

7 cups water (6 for boiling and 1 for blending)

Peel of 1/2 an orange

2 sticks cinnamon

1 teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoon pimento (aka allspice)

1/2 lemon

1 cup ginger root (washed and chopped)

Sweetener of choice (brown sugar, honey, agave)

Instructions:

To a large pot on high heat, add 6 cups of water and allow to boil.

While the water boils, wash the ginger root. You can peel the skin off or leave it on. Cut ginger into small pieces. To your blender add 1 cup water and the ginger pieces. Blend until it is a puree consistency. It will be a little thick.

When water comes to a boil, turn off the stove and add the orange peel, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, lemon, and pureed ginger.

Let the ginger beer sit overnight.

Strain the pulp and spices with a sieve, cheesecloth, or clean t-shirt. Sweeten mixture to your taste and store in a pitcher, mason jar, or bottle.

Store ginger beer in the refrigerator.

Serve cool.