Homemade Ginger Ale Recipe

           How to Make a Ginger Bug

In order to make a probiotic Ginger Beer or Ale you need to make a Ginger Bug first.  It is super easy to make and once it is activated, you can make a very healing a delicious Ginger Beer. A Ginger Bug is a culture of beneficial bacteria similar to a Kombucha SCOBY. The Ginger Bug can be used to make homemade sodas like Ginger Ale, Root Beer and other flavored sodas.

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Filtered Water
• 3 grated teaspoons of Ginger
• 1/4 Cup Organic Sugar

Directions:

• Add all ingredients to a mason jar and mix. Cover with cheese cloth or a coffee filter.
• Each day for 5 days, stir in 1 T of Sugar and 1 T of grated ginger.
• Once it is active there will be bubbles. ( if it hasn't become active by 8 days discard and start again).
• Keep cultures away from other cultures like Kombucha.
• Now you can add to other liquids to make sodas.
  
  By Alex ‘Earthie Mama’ Du Toit
  Guest Writer for Wake Up World
  
  Do you love ginger ale? I do! My children do too. Whenever their tummies are sore they crave ginger ale. Ginger has been used for thousands of years to help relieve nausea and stomach issues as well as other inflammatory discomforts to name a few of the amazing benefits of ginger.
  Most of the popular store bought Ginger Ales have very little ginger and loads of sugar and corn syrup. Some are even artificially flavored and actually have no ginger! Besides, they are also stored in aluminum cans or toxic plastic bottles.
  SO… Back to my children and their sore tummies! It makes no sense to give them a drink full of artificial flavorings and loads of sugar when they want to feel better. One day I thought to myself… I can make a probiotic ginger ale that is good for my family, from all natural ingredients. This recipe is so exciting to me and I want to share it with you so you can also make your own!
  
  
  
  
  
  I knew the basics behind fermentation so I used this knowledge to create a ginger culture or “ginger bug”, which is a culture of beneficial bacteria similar to a kombucha scoby. After the ginger bug is made, ginger ale can be ready every 2-3 days. (To get started on a Ginger Bug, check out How to Make a Ginger Bug.)
  The best part about it is that you have the incredible health benefits of the ginger, the probiotics and beneficial enzymes from the fermented ginger in the ginger bug, and the vitamin C from the lemon that is added. It is an all around good-for-you drink!
  Here is the recipe…

  Homemade Ginger Ale Recipe

  Ingredients: Makes 2 quarts
• 1/2 cup Ginger Bug
• 8 cups of filtered water
• 2 inch piece of organic ginger root minced
• 1/2 cup organic sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh organic lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan salt

Directions:

1. Put 3 cups of water, minced ginger, sugar and salt in a pan and bring to a boil.
2. Turn to simmer for 5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved and it starts to smell like ginger.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Add 5 cups of water.
5. Once cooled completely, add lemon juice and ginger bug and mix.
6. Pour liquid into a 2 quart mason jar or any jars that seal tightly.
7. Leave on counter for 2-3 days until carbonated.
8. Strain and put in bottles for refrigeration.

Please let us know how your homemade Ginger Ale turns out! And as always, please feel free to write me with questions or comments here.
http://wakeup-world.com/2015/04/15/homemade-ginger-ale-recipe/