Old-Fashioned Ginger Beer

* Exported from MasterCook II *

OLD-FASHIONED GINGER BEER

Recipe By : Homemade in the Kitchen
Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Beverages

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1/8 Teaspoon champagne yeast
3/4 Cup lukewarm water (95 - 100F)
2 1/4 Cups sugar
12 Cups hot water (120-125F)
4 Teaspoons ginger beer extracts

Add the yeast to the lukewarm water, and stir just enough to moisten the
yeast. Set aside for 10 minutes, uncovered. Combine the sugar and hot water
in a large (at least 3-quart) nonreactive bowl or pot. Stir until the sugar
is totally dissolved, then stir in the extract. Add the yeast mixture and
combine thoroughly. Using a funnel, transfer to the soda bottles, leaving at
least 1 inch at the top of each bottle. Cap the bottles. Stand the bottles
upright in a warm place (70-80F) for 5 to 6 days, until the soda is
effervescent. Refrigerate before serving. The ginger beer should be ready to
drink as soon as it has chilled.

YIELD: about 13 cups

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NOTES : Use empty soda bottles for this recipe, as they are designed to
withstand the pressure of the yeast reaction. Rinse them out thoroughly with
very hot tap water first; glass bottles can also be put through a
dishwasher. If the bottles do not have screw-on resealable caps, substitute
"crown" caps.

Reduce the amount of sugar if you wish, but don't increase it, as this could
alter the nature of the reaction and cause the bottles to explode.