Ginger Beer Recipe 20 Litres: Easy Homemade Guide

Ginger beer is a wonderfully refreshing, zesty, and naturally fizzy drink that has been enjoyed for centuries. Making it at home not only saves money but also allows you to customize the flavor intensity and sweetness to your liking.

Whether you’re planning a summer gathering, stocking up for a party, or simply craving a revitalizing beverage, brewing 20 litres of homemade ginger beer is easier than you might think. This recipe uses natural fermentation to develop a delightful effervescence, capturing the bright, spicy warmth of fresh ginger with a subtle sweetness and tang.

In this post, we’ll walk you through every step of creating your own large batch of ginger beer, from selecting the best ingredients to bottling your brew perfectly. Plus, you’ll get handy tips and variations to make this recipe uniquely yours.

Let’s dive in and start brewing!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This ginger beer recipe is perfect for anyone who loves a crisp, invigorating drink with a punch of natural spice. It’s made from fresh, wholesome ingredients and naturally carbonated through fermentation, so you don’t need any artificial fizz or additives.

Brewing 20 litres at once makes it ideal for parties, events, or batch prepping for your fridge.

Key reasons to love this recipe:

• Natural Ingredients: Uses fresh ginger, sugar, lemon, and water for a clean, authentic taste.
• Customizable Sweetness and Spice: Adjust ginger and sugar levels to suit your preference.
• Economical and Eco-Friendly: Make large batches to reduce waste and save money on store-bought bottles.
• Fun and Engaging: The fermentation process is fascinating and rewarding to watch.

Ingredients

• Fresh ginger root: 600 grams (about 3 large knobs), peeled and finely grated
• Granulated sugar: 3 kilograms (can adjust to taste)
• Fresh lemons: 6 medium-sized, juiced (plus zest from 2 lemons)
• Dry active yeast: 5 grams (1 teaspoon)
• Filtered water: 20 litres
• Malt extract (optional): 100 grams for extra depth

Equipment

• Large food-grade fermentation bucket or container (minimum 25 litres capacity)
• Fine grater or microplane for ginger
• Large stirring spoon (preferably wooden or food-safe plastic)
• Measuring jug or container
• Kitchen scale for accurate measuring
• Clean bottles with airtight caps or swing-top bottles (20 x 1 litre bottles recommended)
• Funnel for bottling
• Thermometer (optional) to check water temperature
• Sanitizing solution to clean all equipment

Instructions

1. Prepare your brewing area and sanitize. Clean all equipment thoroughly using a sanitizing solution to prevent unwanted bacteria.
2. Boil 2 litres of water and pour it into the fermentation bucket. Add the grated ginger, lemon zest, and malt extract (if using), stirring well to dissolve.
3. Cover and let the ginger infusion steep for 30 minutes. This extracts maximum flavor and aroma from the ginger and lemon zest.
4. Add the rest of the filtered water (18 litres) to the bucket, stirring to combine.
5. Stir in the granulated sugar gradually until fully dissolved. This is the fuel for fermentation and sweetens your ginger beer.
6. Let the mixture cool to lukewarm (around 25-30°C or 77-86°F). This is important to activate the yeast without killing it.
7. Add the fresh lemon juice and mix well.
8. Sprinkle the dry active yeast evenly over the surface of the liquid. Do not stir immediately; allow the yeast to rehydrate for 5 minutes.
9. Gently stir the yeast into the mixture to distribute evenly.
10. Cover the fermentation bucket loosely with a cloth or lid to allow gases to escape but keep dust out.
11. Let ferment at room temperature (20-25°C / 68-77°F) for 24-48 hours. You’ll notice bubbles forming and a yeasty aroma developing.
12. After fermentation, carefully strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container to remove solids.
13. Using a funnel, fill your sanitized bottles, leaving about 2-3 cm of headspace. Seal tightly.
14. Allow bottles to carbonate at room temperature for 1-3 days, then refrigerate to slow fermentation and chill your ginger beer.
15. Before serving, chill thoroughly and open carefully to release built-up carbonation.

Tips & Variations

“Always sanitize your equipment thoroughly to avoid off-flavors or contamination in your ginger beer.”

• Adjust sweetness: Use less sugar if you prefer a dryer ginger beer or more for a sweeter finish.
• Spice it up: Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, or a few crushed cardamom pods during the ginger infusion for a warming twist.
• Use ginger bug: For a purely natural fermentation, create a ginger bug starter instead of using dry yeast. This takes longer but adds complexity.
• Non-alcoholic option: For minimal alcohol content, ferment for less time and refrigerate immediately after bottling.
• Flavored versions: Add fresh fruits like pineapple or berries after fermentation for a fruity ginger beer.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Serve your homemade ginger beer chilled in tall glasses over ice for ultimate refreshment. Garnish with a slice of fresh lemon or lime and a sprig of fresh mint.

It’s a fantastic mixer for non-alcoholic cocktails or pairs wonderfully with spicy dishes, grilled foods, and light salads.

For an adult twist, mix with rum or vodka to create classic cocktails like a Moscow Mule or Dark ‘n’ Stormy. If you’re interested in more refreshing drink ideas, check out our Vegan Mayo Recipe Tofu for creamy dressings that pair well with your ginger beer snacks.

Conclusion

Brewing 20 litres of ginger beer at home is a rewarding and enjoyable process that results in a flavorful, naturally fizzy beverage you can be proud of. This recipe combines fresh ingredients with simple fermentation techniques to create a versatile drink that’s perfect for any occasion.

Whether you prefer it sweet, spicy, or with a hint of citrus, this large batch method allows you to tailor your ginger beer exactly how you like it.

Once you’ve mastered this recipe, feel free to experiment with additional flavors or try your hand at other homemade beverages. For more delicious and easy-to-follow recipes, explore our Veg Grilled Sandwich Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious and Backpacking Dehydrated Vegan Meal Recipes for Easy Camping.

Happy brewing and cheers to your homemade ginger beer adventure!

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