Ginger Ale at Home

It took a while, but here's the first recipe with NO AP FLOUR. For those who've been waiting for just such a move by your friendly baker to pounce, feel free to leave your comments in the usual spot.

As a ginger lover, I add it to cookies, stir fries, and much more. As a rum lover, I also love a good Dark & Stormy (that's dark rum, lime, and ginger beer in a copper mug to you non-drinkers). However, it has come to my attention, that a real strong ginger ale costs as much as a draught beer and often still doesn't deliver the ginger kick I desire.

So here we go, kids. Not exactly baking, but something worth knowing about - homemade ginger ale.

Let's Go!

Makes one 2 liter bottle of ginger ale
36-48 hours, but only about 15 minutes of actual work

INGREDIENTS:

• 50g Ginger (fresh)
• 185g Sugar
• 1/8tsp Yeast
• 1oz Lemon or Lime juice
• Water
• SPECIAL EQUIPMENT - One empty 2 liter soda bottle, cleaned.

1 - Weigh out unpeeled GINGER and chop medium fine. I usually slice into coins and then run a knife through the pile a dozen or so times.

2- In a saucepan over medium high heat add GINGER, SUGAR, and about 1 cup of WATER. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Cover. Let stand for one hour.

3- Strain the ginger syrup through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.

4- Combine strained ginger syrup with LEMON or LIME JUICE, and enough cool, filtered WATER to come just to the shoulder of the bottle. Then add YEAST. Seal the bottle tightly, and shake briefly to distribute yeast.

5- Leave on the counter to carbonate for 36-48 hours. Give the bottle a squeeze after 24 hours on the counter, it should feel much harder compared to the day before. If your kitchen is warm (above 21c or 70f), your ginger ale will be likely be ready in 36 hours. If it's colder, let it sit for 48 until the bottle is rock hard. [Hey, no snickering!]

6- When the bottle is very hard, open to release the pressure, Refrigerate. [Refrigeration will slow but not kill the yeast, so you will need to open the bottle every day or two to release additional pressure. I've never had one erupt on me, but better safe...]

7- DRINK! Serve over ice or with a little Rum and Lime.

NOTE: This is great for upset stomachs. Yes, there is a small amount of alcohol in the finished product. Probably best to not serve to small children. However, you could just make the syrup and put a couple teaspoons of it into soda water. But I think carbonation at home is cool.

---