Childhood Memories: Making ginger beer from scratch

Ginger beer starter/plant/bug:

8 golden raisins

1/4 c lemon juice 

1 t grated lemon zest

1 T sugar

2 t ground ginger

2 1/2 c water

Make the plant by combining all ingredients in a large screw top jar. 

Leave for 2-3 days.

For the next 7 days, stir in 1 T sugar and 2 t ginger each day. 

Ginger beer:

3 c sugar

5 c boiling water

The strained juice of 3 lemons 

8 liters of water

Place the sugar in a large basin and stir in the boiling water.  Stir until dissolved. 

Cover the basin with fine muslin (or piece of retired bed sheet!) and pour the starter over it. Pull up the sides and squeeze out all the moisture from the plant until its as dry as it can be. 

Stir in the lemon juice and 8 liters of water. 

Store in sterilized, screw top bottles leaving a space of 3 fingers to allow for expansion - lest they explode!

Add one raisin to each bottle. 

Store carefully especially in the warmer months.  Ideally do not open for 3-4 days. (When the raisin floats is apparently ready!)

Update: 9/13/23

Tonight I started my own ginger beer bug!