Homemade Jamaican Ginger Beer

A glass decorate with a slice of lime being filled from a pitcher of Jamaican ginger beer

Homemade Jamaican Ginger Beer

This Traditional Jamaican Ginger Beer recipe is an old family recipe that is simple to make. Ginger root is pureed, then added to boiling water along with cloves and cream of tartar. Once cooled the liquid is sieved before fresh lime juice, sugar and vanilla extract are added. Serve over ice for a great tasting soft drink.

Course Drinks

Cuisine Caribbean, Jamaican

Keyword Best Jamaican ginger beer, Classic Jamaican ginger beer, Jamaican ginger beer, Traditional Jamaican ginger beer

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 5

Resting time 4

Total Time 4 15

Servings

Calories 168kcal

Author Tanya

Ingredients

10 cups water separated - 8 cups and 2 cups
1 lb ginger root peeled and chopped
6 whole cloves
1/2 tbsp cream of tartar
1/2 cup lime juice from fresh limes
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar add more or less to taste
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Bring 8 cups of water to a boil on the stovetop. Meanwhile, add ginger root and 2 cups of water to a blender. Pulse until the ginger is finely chopped and mixed with the water.
Add the ginger to the boiling water and stir it in. Remove from heat immediately. Add the cloves and cream of tartar and cover. Allow the mixture to cool. Place in the refrigerator for at least four hours, or overnight.
Drain the ginger mixture and place the liquid into a large pitcher. In a separate container, add the freshly squeezed lime juice and whisk in the brown sugar. Add this to the pitcher of ginger beer, along with the vanilla extract, and stir.
Serve the ginger beer over ice.

Notes

Store the ginger beer in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Ginger beer is typically fermented, which is why the cream of tartar is added. It deepens the flavor of ginger beer as well.
The longer the ginger beer sits, the stronger it will taste.

Nutrition