Creating your own ginger beer isn't just about the fun and satisfaction of DIY-it’s about knowing exactly what goes into your drink. This article provides a comprehensive guide to making your own keto-friendly ginger beer at home. Perfect for sipping on a hot day, mixing into low-carb cocktails, or serving at your next gathering, this homemade ginger beer is easy to make, sugar-free, and alcohol-free.
Why Make Your Own Ginger Beer?
Store-bought ginger beers often contain high amounts of sugars or artificial sweeteners. By making your own, you have full control over the ingredients, ensuring a natural and healthy beverage. This recipe uses fresh ginger root for an authentic, spicy flavor and natural sweeteners like Sukrin Gold or allulose to keep it keto-friendly. The addition of fresh lemon juice balances the ginger's spice and adds a refreshing citrusy twist.
Ingredients
- 150 g ginger root, chopped (5.3 oz)
- ½ cup brown sugar substitute such as Sukrin Gold or Allulose (80 g/ 3.9 oz)
- ½ fresh lemon juice (120 ml/ 4 fl oz)
- 2 ½ cups water (600 ml)
- Optional: few drops of liquid Stevia extract if you prefer it sweeter
- Sparkling water to serve
- Dry active yeast
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Ginger: Wash and cut the ginger root into medium chunks.
- Blend: Place the ginger in a blender together with 2 ½ cups of water.
- Strain: Pour the ginger mixture through a fine mesh sieve (or use cheesecloth) into a saucepan. Discard the pulp.
- Add Lemon Juice: Juice 2 lemons and add the fresh lemon juice to the saucepan.
- Sweeten: Add the sweetener (Sukrin Gold or Allulose) and stir until dissolved.
- Reduce: Cook the mixture until reduced to about half (around 1 ½ cups). Then, take off the heat and let it cool down. Optionally, add a few ice cubes to speed up the cooling process.
- Fermentation (Alternative Method): Add a small amount of dry active yeast to the cooled mixture to create a bubbly, effervescent drink.
- Bottle and Ferment (Alternative Method): Pour the mixture into plastic bottles, leaving some room at the top for carbonation. Seal the bottles and let them sit at room temperature for 12-48 hours to carbonate. Be cautious when opening the bottles, as they will be highly carbonated.
- Serve: Once cool, pour ¼ cup of the ginger beer concentrate into a glass or copper mug. Add 1 cup of sparkling water (or more to taste) and ice cubes. Add a splash of rum and lime juice for a Dark n' Stormy.
Serving Suggestions
As a Standalone Drink
Pour yourself some ginger beer over ice. It’s a simple and satisfying way to enjoy the spicy and refreshing flavor.
Creative Cocktails
Your homemade ginger beer is a perfect base for low-carb cocktails:
- Low-Carb Moscow Mule: Mix ginger beer with vodka, a splash of lime, and a mint garnish.
- Low-Carb Irish Mule: Substitute vodka with Irish whiskey for a delightful twist.
- Rum or Tequila Mix: Experiment with other spirits like rum or tequila for unique flavor combinations.
Special Occasions
Serve your homemade ginger beer at family brunches, holiday gatherings, or parties. It’s a refreshing and unique beverage that’s sure to impress your guests.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Variations and Tips
- Spice Level: For a spicier ginger beer, double the amount of ginger.
- Sweetness: Adjust the amount of sweetener to suit your taste. You can also add a few drops of liquid Stevia for extra sweetness.
- Lemon vs. Lime: You can replace the lemon juice with lime juice for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Garnishes: Get creative with garnishes. Mint, lime wedges, or even a jalapeño slice can add a unique touch to your drink.
- Alcohol Content: This recipe results in a very low alcohol content due to the fermentation process.
Health Benefits of Ginger
Ginger is known for its numerous health benefits. It is full of antioxidants and is believed to help cleanse the body of toxic chemicals. Enjoying ginger beer can be a tasty way to incorporate these benefits into your diet.
Quick & Easy Ginger Ale
- Peel and grate the ginger.
- Use the juice from a fresh lemon.
- Mix the ginger juice and lemon juice with the carbonated water and sweeten to taste.
Other Tips
- If you don't mind a few bits in your ginger ale, use the grated ginger directly in the drink.
- Turn your homemade ginger ale into a sugar free lemonade.
Keto Moscow Mule Recipe
Ingredients
- Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice vs the concentrates.
- Diet Ginger Beer (or Ginger Ale): Ignore the name because there is actually no alcohol in ginger beer! Ginger ale is often easier to find, but ginger beer is the more traditional option for this cocktail.
- Lime Wedge: Don’t skip this! It makes a beautiful garnish. Mint is also another refreshing and aesthetically beautiful option.
- Ice: Crushed or cubed is perfect.
Instructions
- All you need is the copper mug. The copper mug isn’t just for show either.
Storage Tips
- Concentrate: For a larger batch, store the lemon and ginger juice in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer (in an ice cube tray) for up to 3 months.
- Ginger Beer: After the ginger beer has finished brewing, store it in the refrigerator to chill and slow the fermentation process.
- As this recipe calls for carbonated water, it is best enjoyed fresh.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto