How to Make Ginger Ale

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Gather your ingredients.

   Here's what you'll need to make ginger ale using the old-fashioned method: 1 cup (225 g) sugar 2 tablespoons (30 g) freshly grated ginger root Juice of one lemon 1/4 teaspoon (1.6 g) fresh granular baker's yeast Cold, pure water
2. 2

   Step 2: Add 1 cup of sugar to a bottle through a dry funnel.

   Leave the funnel in place until all the steps are complete and you are ready to cap the bottle. , Use any brand that you might buy in the health food store. , Shake the bottle to disperse the yeast grains into the sugar granules. , Use the side of the grater with the finest teeth. ,, Lemon is important to keep the pH level low and ward off unwanted microorganisms.
   
   If you don't like lemon, try grapefruit juice instead. ,, It may stick in the funnel.
   
   Don't worry, the next steps will wash it into the bottle. , Add the rinsing water to the bottle. , This helps activate the yeast and gets the carbonation process going. , Leave about an inch of head space, then securely screw the cap down to seal.
   
   The head space is necessary to leave room for gasses that will be produced during fermentation.
   
   Invert the bottle repeatedly to thoroughly dissolve sugar.
   
   Check the bottom of the bottle because the sugar tends to stick in little pockets there.
   
   The ginger root will not dissolve, of course. , The warmth is necessary for the yeast to be able to ferment the brew.
   
   But don't forget about it! Too long and the alcohol concentration starts to increase and the taste changes greatly. , If it dents in as in the picture, it is not ready; the fermentation produces carbon dioxide (like in sodas and seltzers) that will inflate the bottle and make it difficult to squeeze. , Refrigerate at least overnight to thoroughly chill before opening.
   
   Crack the lid off the cool ginger ale just a little to release the pressure slowly.
   
   You do not want a ginger ale fountain!
3. 3

   Step 3: Measure out 1/4 teaspoon of fresh granular active baker's yeast.

4. 4

   Step 4: Add the yeast through the funnel into the bottle.

5. 5

   Step 5: Grate the ginger root on a fine cutting grater to produce 2 tablespoons of grated root.

6. 6

   Step 6: Place the grated ginger in a measuring cup.

7. 7

   Step 7: Juice a whole lemon.

8. 8

   Step 8: Add the juice of a whole lemon to the grated ginger.

9. 9

   Step 9: Stir the lemon juice and grated ginger to form a slurry

10. 10

    Step 10: then add it to the bottle.

11. 11

    Step 11: Rinse the container that held the lemon juice and grated ginger with fresh clean water.

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    Step 12: Cap and shake the bottle.

13. 13

    Step 13: Reopen and fill the bottle to the neck with fresh

14. 14

    Step 14: clean water.

15. 15

    Step 15: Place the ginger ale in a warm location for 24 to 48 hours.

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    Step 16: Test to see if carbonation is complete by squeezing the bottle forcefully with your thumb.

17. 17

    Step 17: Once the bottle feels hard to a forceful squeeze

18. 18

    Step 18: usually after only 24-48 hours

19. 19

    Step 19: place in the refrigerator.

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