Ginger beer is one of those classic drinks that can be made in a million different ways.

It’s blend of peppery spiciness that only fresh ginger can bring to the table, sugary sweetness and lemon tanginess make it especially refreshing on a hot day – particularly when served from an ice cold carafe.

And what’s even better? The marvelous antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and digestive properties of the ginger make this immune booster of a drink a super healthy alternative.

So how do you make it?  It’s actually conveniently simple.  Here goes:

Ingredients

150g fresh ginger

*4 tablespoons muscovado sugar

2 lemons or lime (you could use 3 for extra zest)

1 litre sparkling mineral water or club soda

A couple of sprigs of fresh mint (optional)

*If muscovado sugar isn’t your thing, try using honey, agave syrup or even pure cane sugar which is used in Jamaican ginger beer recipes traditionally and may in fact result in the most decadent flavor of all. 

Directions

First grate the fresh ginger (with skin or without).  Grating will turn the ginger into a juicy pulp which you must then transfer into a bowl.  Next, add the muscovado sugar.

Then peel the rind off your lemons (or limes) with a peeler, add to the bowl and pound them with a rolling pin for about 12 seconds so as to blend all the flavours.

Next, squeeze the lemons (or limes) and pour the juice into your bowl.  Then add in your sparkling water or club soda and let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes before tasting.

If you feel the drink lacks sweetness, add more sugar.  Or you may feel its sickly sweet, in which case add more lemon (or lime).  Remember, there are no rules so play around with the measurements until the ginger beer is perfectly balanced in the way that you love.

Once you are happy with the mix, pour the ginger beer (through a sieve) into a jug filled with ice and it add some mint for a unique flavour twist.