Pro Biotic Ginger Beer
Fermented, gut-friendly ginger beer made with a natural starter for digestive health and effervescent refreshment.
Discover the fizzy, zesty world of homemade ginger beer with a twist, using a live ginger bug! This naturally fermented drink is not only refreshing but also packed with probiotics that support gut health. Perfect for anyone following the Gut Instinct protocol, this DIY ginger beer is easy to make at home and can be customised for sweetness and spice. Learn how to brew your own effervescent, gut-loving beverage that’s better than store-bought alternatives. As opposed to Ginger Ale this is probiotic and great for your gut health. A ferment a day keeps the doctor away and this couldn't be a better way to get that dose!
NOTE: I have been asked a few times about the use of sugar vs sugar replacements. You must use sugar in the original ginger bug or you will not grow anything. It needs the sugar to produce the yeast (therefore fizz) and it is entirely consumed by the bug. If you want a sweeter ginger beer, you can add some stevia (or other sweeteners) when you bottle the drink. The bug will not consume these to create the fizz, so you will have a sweeter drink. You can also leave the drink to ferment a day or two longer and by doing this the drink will consume all the sugar and you will end up with a drier ginger beer, that is not sweet. Up to you!
Need
- 60 Grams fresh ginger skin on
- 2 Litres water
- 250 Grams raw sugar (see notes)
- 180 Grams fresh lemon juice
- 110 Grams Ginger Bug liquid, strained Recipe
Do
- 1
Place ginger into the Thermomix bowl and mill 6 sec/speed 6.
- 2
Add water, and sugar and boil 15 min/100°C/speed 2/spatter guard.
- 3
Allow to come to room temperature completely before proceeding. This will take up to several hours if left in the Thermomix bowl. If you want to speed the process up, remove from the Thermomix bowl and cool in another bowl. If you want a more gingery taste, simply add more ginger in this early stage.
- 4
Strain the mixture. Add the lemon juice and ginger bug and stir 10 sec/speed 5 or stir well manually.
- 5
Pour into sterilised bottles with a flip top. These are widely available at Kmart, on Amazon or at Kitchen supply stores. You must not fill to the top. You should leave at least 2 inches of space at the top of the bottle for the gas to have room and to avoid explosions. If you want a sweeter drink, add a tsp of stevia to each bottle before sealing. Shake well.
- 6
Leave the bottle sealed at room temperature for a few days, 'burping' the lids every day. By day 3 or 4 you should have some bubbles happening.
- 7
You can now refrigerate the bottles and start drinking them. (No need to burp the lids once they are refrigerated.)
More
Disclaimer: brewing probiotic beverages at home can be risky. When fermenting probiotic foods and beverages, use caution. Always use well washed tools and when in doubt, throw it out! If you notice any strange smells or mold, be sure to discard the whole batch.
Served with
This recipe can be seen if you sign up for the related course. Join the course to get access!
Gut Instinct Protocol: The Power of Fermented and Cultured Foods
Tenina Holder is a wife, mother of five and grandmother of nine, who started cooking in the olden days before Thermomix was even a thing.
Tenina has become the premium go to source for all Thermomix expertise and of course fresh and easy recipes that work. Her cooking classes and foodie trips are sold out in literally hours, her cookbooks appear on the Australian best seller lists and her social reach is in the millions. Her Insider Club is the most fun you can have with a Thermomix and you really should join her! She believes chocolate, butter and salt are health foods. Her food positivity mantra is, eat everything, just not all at once!
