A ginger bug is a starter culture for fermented fizzy beverages. You can use it to make flavored sodas right at home. The combination of sugar, water and ginger promotes the growth of probiotics (good bacteria) and yeasts. If you need to know how to make a ginger bug for your own all-natural thirst quenchers, keep reading.
When we add water and sugar, the ginger will convert the sugar into ethanol and carbon dioxide, making it a fizzy concoction. There are many different beverages you can make with this starter culture, such as ginger ale, orange, grape, and raspberry soda and the list goes on and on. Get creative with the flavor possibilities!
When your ginger bug is ready you can add a sweetened liquid to about ¼ cup of ginger bug, and ferment that for a couple days to make an awesome flavored soda. You can even use sweet tea. Be sure that the tea is not still hot but has cooled to room temperature before mixing it with the ginger bug. Heat can destroy the good bacteria.
How to Make a Ginger Bug
Make a Ginger Bug Starter for Fermented Drinks
Ingredients:
- 3 tsp sugar
- 3 tsp ginger, sliced – I thinly slice and roughly measure it
- 3 cups spring water
You will need extra sugar and ginger to “feed” this mixture. It will require two teaspoons of ginger, and two teaspoons of sugar each day and a good stir.
Directions:
- Place all ingredients in a glass jar.
- Stir ingredients.
- Secure Fermentools to the jar.
- Store at room temperature and place away from direct sunlight.
This will need to ferment for about a week.
Everyday you need to add two teaspoons of sliced ginger and two teaspoons of sugar, and gently shake to stir the mixture.
Bubbles on top of the liquid are a good indication that it is done.
If you need to take a break, you can place the mixture in the fridge. Feed it once a week, with two teaspoons of ginger and sugar. This will slow the fermentation process down significantly but it will not stop it all together. You will want to remember this if you suddenly have to go out of town or something else comes up!
To make soda using ginger bug:
You need:
- 1 quart of sweetened liquid such as sweet tea, fruit juice, or homemade syrup like elderberry syrup. You can also make an amazing ginger ale with ginger bug.
- ¼ cup ginger bug
Place both ingredients in a mason jar for 2-3 days with Fermentools secured to jar.
Refrigerate and serve chilled.
Some recipes for flavored sodas may call for more ingredients. Ginger ale has lemon and/or lime juice added for instance. It also calls for just a pinch of salt. These are great for adding wonderful flavor.
What is your favorite flavor of homemade soda?
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Kristi is the blog owner of HomesteadWishing.com She is a wife and mother of three wonderful boys. She loves to write about food, children & parenting, tips and tricks, and survival information.