Ginger Beer (Africa)

From: “The Africa News Cookbook, African Cooking for Western Kitchens”. This recipe produces a strong concentrate that can be diluted with equal parts water or sparkling water for drinking, but many people like it just as it is, over ice.

SERVES 16 , 1 gallon

• 16 ounces fresh ginger, peeled and ground to a pulp (a couple of large handfuls)
• 8 cups boiling water
• 1-2 limes, juice of (can also use pineapple or guava juice)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 8 cups cold water
• 1 cup sugar (to taste)
• ice, to serve
• water (optional) or sparkling water, equal parts to serve (optional)

Place ginger pulp into a large, heat-proof container that is enameled or made of glass or stainless steel.

Cover with 8 cups of boiling water. Cover loosely with a cloth and set aside in a warm place.

After an hour or so, strain the liquid through a cloth, squeezing pulp to extract all the flavor.

Stir in lime or desired fruit juice, cinnamon stick, half the cloves and 8 cups of cold water.

Let liquid sit another hour, in the sun if possible. *This allows the starch from the ginger to settle.

Pour mixture gently through a cloth to strain it, trying not to disturb any sediment at the bottom. Strain again if necessary.

Stir in remaining cloves and sugar, then transfer the ginger beer to a jar and refrigerate.