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Trinidad ginger beer
Ginger beer: Trinidad and Tobago's fiery alcohol-free Christmas ginger drink
In Trinidad and Tobago, Christmas would not be complete without jugs of homemade ginger beer and sorrel in the fridge, ready for every visitor who drops by between Christmas Eve and Old Year's Night. Fresh ginger is grated, steeped with lime, cloves and sugar for about a day, then strained and served over ice. Made this way it is not fermented, so it has no alcohol and children can drink it. It is spicy and refreshing. Chef's tip: grate the ginger with its skin on (just scrub it), as much of the heat is just under the skin.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
- 9 oz fresh gingerscrubbed and grated
- 8 ¼ cups water
- 2 limeszest and juice
- 6 cloves
- 7 oz granulated sugarto taste
- ice cubesto serve
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What you'll need
Spices & pantry
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Bring 8 ¼ cups water to the boil, take off the heat and add 9 oz fresh ginger, 6 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick and the zest of 2 limes. Stir and cool to room temperature.
10 minStep 2: Cover and leave in the fridge for 12–24 hours; the longer it steeps, the hotter it gets.
Step 3: Pour through a sieve lined with muslin or a clean cloth, squeezing out all the liquid from the ginger.
Step 4: Stir in 7 oz granulated sugar until dissolved and add the lime juice. Taste and add more sugar or water as you like. A common mistake is sweetening before steeping, which can start a fermentation; sweeten after straining and keep it chilled.
Step 5: Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days and serve over ice cubes.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 110 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 28 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does trinidad ginger beer take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of fresh ginger?
- ¼ tsp ground ginger per tbsp fresh (add it with the spices).
- What can I use instead of limes?
- Lemon, same amount.
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