How to Make Jamaican Ginger Beer Recipe! And it’s Non-alcoholic - CulturEatz (2024)

Does a sweet and spicy beverage tickle your fancy? Try out this very traditional Jamaican Ginger Beer, an incredibly refreshing tropical drink.

Have you ever tried a can of ginger beer before? All spicy and bubbly? Well, that is actually nothing like the real traditional Jamaican ginger beer recipe one would find in Jamaica. Which just so happens to be this month’s country for the Eat the World Challenge.

The real deal is more like juice so there is no alcohol in ginger beer and it is not carbonated. It will keep you refreshed in the summer and leave you all tingly warm inside in the winter. Let’s learn how to make ginger beer today.

How to Make Jamaican Ginger Beer Recipe! And it’s Non-alcoholic - CulturEatz (1)

What is Ginger Beer?

Jamaica is famous for making the best ginger beer. Ginger was imported to Jamaica in the early 1700s. And it turns out ginger grows very well on the island’s fertile soil. Jamaican ginger is considered to be superior to Asian ginger. The spice ginger is actually not a plant but the rhizome (root system) of a plant.

Homemade ginger beer is so easy to make. Basically, ginger beer is ginger juice. Chunks of ginger are blended with large quantities of water and then strained. Sometimes it is left to ‘brew’ with few whole cloves in it for a few hours. Once the juice is made, freshly squeezed lime juice is added and a generous amount of brown sugar.

All the ginger beer ingredients are easy to come by and a recipe makes a really big batch. Highly prized as one of the most famous Jamaican recipes, spicy ginger beer truly is one of the most refreshing beverages to enjoy on a hot day.

How to Make Jamaican Ginger Beer Recipe! And it’s Non-alcoholic - CulturEatz (2)

Does Ginger Beer Have Alcohol in It?

When we see the word beer, we automatically assume that alcohol must be involved. So, is ginger beer alcoholic? The answer is a resounding no. There is no alcohol involved when you make this beer. It’s like a root beer, same concept. And note that real ginger beer is flat and not bubbly like a soda can.

However, fermented ginger beer is popular as well but there are many extra steps to take. You may optionally add 2 tablespoons of Jamaican rum to your batch of ginger juice. This is really just for a touch of flavor and it will be completely diluted.

So non-alcoholic ginger beer is the norm. But it does mix well with some alcohols to make very popular co*cktails. The top drinks with ginger beer include the Moscow Mule and the Dark and Stormy.

Is Ginger Beer Good for You?

Definitely! Where to start when naming the many health benefits of ginger?

  • ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory
  • and has many antioxidants as well
  • it may have the power to reduce excess free radicals in your body
  • it relieves nausea and morning sickness in pregnant women
  • could be good for those suffering from osteoarthritis
  • if you have a case of bad digestion ginger can soothe your stomach
  • it may help lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and risks of heart disease
  • some believe it helps with cancer and Alzheimer’s
  • infections from bacteria and viruses, such as colds and flus, fear ginger. Winter is coming!

For sure some of these statements are not fully studied claims. But if you are not convinced by now that ginger is good for you, I give up.

How to Make Jamaican Ginger Beer Recipe! And it’s Non-alcoholic - CulturEatz (3)

Jamaican Ginger Beer, the recipe

Making ginger beer is so simple and it goes a long way. There are plenty of recipes out there but I wanted to be sure that mine would be authentic. So I turned to YouTube to find real Jamaican women of all ages. I ended up combining a few methods, mostly inspired by Fay DeLeon over on Youtube at Cook Like A Jamaicanand Juliana from How to Cook Channel.

This recipe for Jamaican ginger beer yields 10 cups. It is perfectly normal for the juice to be cloudy. And you are expected to serve it in a glass filled with ice, turning your 10 cups into 20 glasses. The melting ice will gently dilute the intense piquant.

Thankfully it keeps well in the fridge for up to two weeks. Just remember that the spiciness will get stronger with time.

How to Make Jamaican Ginger Beer Recipe! And it’s Non-alcoholic - CulturEatz (4)

Jamaican Ginger Beer Recipe

Does a sweet and spicy beverage tickle your fancy? Try out this very traditional Jamaican Ginger Beer, an incredibly refreshing tropical drink.

Print RecipePin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Fresh ginger root roughly chopped
  • 10 cups hot water
  • 3-5 whole cloves
  • 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp Rum optional

Instructions

  • In a large blender add all the ginger and 5 cups of hot water. Blend very well and strain the liquid from the pulp into a large bowl. Squeeze the pulp until you have gotten all the liquid out.

  • Place the pulp back into the blender and repeat the steps above with the remaining 5 cups of hot water.

  • Add the cloves and let the liquid steep for at least 4 our to overnight in the fridge.

  • Line your strainer with cheesecloth and strain again into another bowl. Then add the lime juice, brown sugar (to taste) and the optional rum. Stir until all of the sugar has dissolved.

  • Serve in a glass that is filled with ice. Keep the rest in large bottles and store in fridge.

PIN IT HERE FOR LATER

How to Make Jamaican Ginger Beer Recipe! And it’s Non-alcoholic - CulturEatz (5)

Eat the World Challenge

Check out all the wonderful Jamaican dishes prepared by fellow Eat the World members and share with #eattheworld. Click here to find out how to join and have fun exploring a country a month in the kitchen with us!

Pandemonium Noshery: Pumpkin Rice
Culinary Adventures with Camilla: Jamaican Stew Peas
Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Jamaican Chicken & Pumpkin Soup
Palatable Pastime: Jamaican Jerk Chicken Burger
Sneha’s Recipe: Jamaican Saucy Jerk Chicken Wings With Homemade Jerk Seasonings
CulturEatz: Jamaican Ginger Beer Recipe
A Day in the Life on the Farm: Banana Fritters
Sugarlovespices: Jamaican Beef Patties

  1. mjskitchen on November 18, 2020 at 17:26

    I love, love, love ginger beer but never would have thought of making it at home. Thanks for sharing your recipe. It looks delicous

    Reply

  2. Rebekah Hills on November 12, 2020 at 13:25

    Oh my goodness! This looks incredibly bright and refreshing!

    Reply

  3. John / Kitchen Riffs on November 11, 2020 at 10:28

    Love ginger beer. Always have a few cans of it around — for co*cktails. I’ve made homemade too (the non-fermented version). Good stuff. Yours looks excellent — thanks.

    Reply

  4. Margaret@Kitchen Frau on November 11, 2020 at 08:55

    Sounds absolutely delicious! I love the carbonated ginger beer, so I can imagine this would be amazing – even more intensely flavoured. Yum.

    Reply

  5. Juli M on November 10, 2020 at 18:01

    That looks and sounds super refreshing.

    Reply

  6. Raymund on November 10, 2020 at 17:01

    Looks really refreshing! Nice recipe

    Reply

  7. Amy's Cooking Adventures on November 10, 2020 at 14:25

    I love that you made your own ginger beer! I loved learning about the differences between this and commercially available ginger beer!

    Reply

  8. Wendy Klik on November 10, 2020 at 10:46

    I’m so happy to have a recipe for homemade ginger beer. I love cooking my rice in ginger beer it makes a wonderful side dish.

    Reply

  9. Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli on November 10, 2020 at 10:35

    We are huge fans of the bottled ginger beers, so you may be sure that we are going to try making our own following your recipe! Thank you for all the fun we are having with these monthly challenges!

    Reply

  10. angiesrecipes on November 10, 2020 at 10:13

    I adore ginger,but have never tried a ginger beer. This is just fascinating! I would love to taste some 🙂

    Reply

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How to Make Jamaican Ginger Beer Recipe! And it’s Non-alcoholic - CulturEatz (2024)

FAQs

Is Jamaican ginger beer non-alcoholic? ›

JAMAICAN GINGER BEER 🇯🇲 This non-fermented/non-alcoholic version is perfect for everyone to enjoy.

How ginger beer is non-alcoholic? ›

Modern ginger beer is not fermented, but is instead carbonated, making it a soft drink. This ginger beer typically contains less than . 5 percent alcohol, and is not classified as an alcoholic beverage.

What are the ingredients in Royal Jamaican ginger beer? ›

Ingredients: Malt Beer, Jamaican Ginger, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid. It is an offence to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol if you are under the age of 18 (Section 149 Licensing Act 2003).

How is ginger beer traditionally made? ›

ginger beer, beverage, once popular in the United Kingdom, made by fermenting a mixture of ginger, water, sugar, cream of tartar, and yeast. Lemon peel and juice or citric acid may also be added. Ginger beer is bottled before fermentation is complete.

Is non-alcoholic ginger beer the same as ginger ale? ›

The Bottom Line: Ginger Ale vs Ginger Beer, What's the Difference? While these two drinks were once identical, ginger ale is typically sweeter, non-alcoholic, and made using artificial carbonation. Ginger beer tends to be spicier and is carbonated via fermentation.

What does non-alcoholic ginger beer taste like? ›

Its key ingredients are carbonated water, cane sugar, and ginger root, which gives it a strong and spicy ginger flavor with a balanced sweetness. Many ginger beers also contain lemon or lime extract for a note of tangy citrus to round out the strong ginger flavor.

What is the best non-alcoholic ginger beer? ›

Ginger beers (non-alcoholic) search results
  • Thomas Henry Ginger Beer. Category: Non-alcoholic. ...
  • Fever Tree Ginger Beer. Category: Non-alcoholic. ...
  • Fentimans Ginger Beer. Category: Non-alcoholic. ...
  • Eager Ginger Beer. ...
  • London Essence Co. ...
  • Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer. ...
  • Old Jamaica Ginger Beer. ...
  • Luscombe Hot Ginger Beer.

What are the ingredients in non-alcoholic beer? ›

Similar to regular alcoholic beer, non-alcoholic beer is brewed with four standard ingredients: water, grain, hops, and yeast. Water makes up the largest majority of any beer you can find on the shelf. Grains provide the sugar which the yeast converts to alcohol through a process called fermentation.

How long does non-alcoholic ginger beer last? ›

keeping in mind that rgb must be refrigerated, an unopened bottle will keep for 8 weeks. once opened, we recommend you consume within a week. the more tightly you re-cap it, and the colder your fridge, the longer an opened bottle will last.

Who makes Old Jamaica ginger beer? ›

It is brewed and exported by Desnoes & Geddes, the same company that brought you Red Stripe beer. Ginger beer is a refreshing non-alcoholic drink suitable for any workplace and it can also be used as a mixer to spice up an office event or party.

What is Jamaican ginger beer good for? ›

Drinking ginger beer can help reduce inflammation, promote digestion, relieve nausea, and even help in the prevention of cancer. Ginger beer is a less-sweet alternative to ginger ale, and the popularity has skyrocketed among Americans, especially millennials.

Did ginger beer originate in Jamaica? ›

Brewed ginger beer originated in Yorkshire in England in the mid-18th century, it was popular in Britain and its colonies from the 18th century. Other spices were variously added and any alcohol content was limited to 2% by excise tax laws in 1855.

What is the difference between alcoholic and non-alcoholic ginger beer? ›

A lot of today's commercial ginger beers are made differently than the original brew, so what ends up in the bottle can vary widely across brands. Many are actually classified as non-alcoholic because they contain less than . 5 percent alcohol or contain no alcohol at all.

What is the best yeast for ginger beer? ›

Yeast. Ginger ale is a light, refreshing beverage, so neutral ale yeasts that throw off minimal esters and phenols are best. There's no need to get fancy; simple dry yeasts like S-04 and US-05 are great choices, with S-04 producing a slightly fruitier version and US-05 a little cleaner.

What bacteria is in ginger beer? ›

Ginger Beer “Plant”

This gelatinous mass that floats on the top of the liquid is made up of the yeast Saccharomyces florentinus (formerly S. pyriformis) and the bacterium Lactobacillus hilgardii (formerly Brevibacterium vermiforme).

Can kids drink ginger beer? ›

Yes, it's non-alcoholic and safe for children.

Is ginger beer originally alcoholic? ›

Ginger beer – the delicious, brewed, fermented beverage that we all know and love – first appeared around the mid-1700s in England. It was initially made as a fermented alcoholic beverage using ginger, sugar and water.

When did ginger beer become non-alcoholic? ›

The English began exporting alcoholic ginger beer to the US, but a non-alcoholic version was soon created in response to the 1920s Prohibition laws. Contrary to popular belief, ginger beer has never contained actual beer. In fact, it's not even made via the same methods used to brew beer.

Which ginger beer has alcohol? ›

Caveat: some brands do offer alcoholic ginger beer. For instance, Crabbie's Original Ginger Beer is four percent alcohol, putting its alcohol content closer to that of regular beer.

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