South African Ginger Beer

One of my most favorite things in South Africa was their ginger beer! "Stoney" is the popular brand of ginger beer sold in about every grocery store, road stand, and convenience store in South Africa.  It tastes nothing like "Ginger Ale" that is sold in most grocery stores here in the states. It actually has a bite! 

Mme Esther, Me (Madelyn) and Laci in Soweto

Some of the best ginger beer that I had in South Africa was my host mother's very own brew! Mme (mother) Esther, made this specialty for my 20th birthday celebration, which I celebrated in Soweto. The directions are quite simple and the fermentation process is effortless! I hope you enjoy this as much as we all did! Be careful as you sip it...remember it has a bite!

This recipe doesn't actually use real ginger, which might come as a surprise since it is so delicious! I had fun converting the gram measurements into teaspoon/Tablespoon amounts, hopefully it still works out!

Ginger Beer
4 1/2 cups (1 Liter) water

4 tbs. ground ginger

2 cups sugar

4 liters water

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. tartaric acid

1-2 cans of pineapple chunks

My 20th Birthday
Celebration in Soweto

Make a syrup by boiling together 1 liter water, ground ginger, cream of tartar and tartaric acid for 30 minutes. Let cool on the stove.

Add sugar and leave it for 30 minutes

Now add chunks of pineapple 

Place in a large container (5 gal. bucket works well) and add 4 liters water.

Leave overnight or for a whole day.

Pour into plastic bottles, close securely and store in refrigerator.

Serve over ice and enjoy! 

Makes 5 liters