Ginger: Trinidadian Ginger Beer

I’m a bit of a ginger freak.

I’m quick to try it in its many incarnations. Some of my local Colorado favorite’s are ChocoLove’s Ginger Crystallized in Dark Chocolate, Bhakti Chai (a black pepper and ginger chai that’s fantastic hot or cold), and Big B’s Ginger Apple Cooler.

I haven’t, however, found a local ginger beer that outshines the homemade versions made by Caribbean friends. These versions, for the most part, have a stronger ginger punch and are more complex in spice than the store-bought, fizzy varieties.

In the Caribbean, ginger beer is an all-occasion and special-occasion beverage. My friend Val who hails from Trinidad is an extraordinary cook and fact man. He says ginger beer – typically the non-fizzy version, such as the recipe below, is enjoyed during the holiday season. Other holiday drinks include sorrel punch (similar to hibiscus) and punch de crème (an eggnog-rum-based drink).

Like most recipes, there is no single way to make ginger beer. Recipes vary from family to family and by region. In Trinidad, cinnamon, cloves and lime are typically added. Whereas, in Jamaica, they generally add fresh pineapple. Regardless of the array of spices/ingredients used, one thing is constant – the ginger is strong. This is NOT a whimpy ginger ale, it’s got a bite that’s both refreshing and addictive.

The recipe below is mine. It’s not as sweet as some versions that have about half as much sugar as water. It’s layered with flavor from a whole pound of fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, fresh lime juice and raw sugar.

Val made sure to hip me up on the “proper” sugar for traditional Trini ginger beer – Demerara, turbinado or another raw sugar but not the white stuff or brown sugar. (However, in my research it appears a lot of folks in the states use brown sugar as a substitute.) A version he remembered most was by a family friend who served her ginger beer much like a sangria – with slices of fresh oranges, limes and a piece of raw sugar cane as a swizzle stick.

Salud! Cheers! Happy Holidays – whether you are neck deep in snow or chillin’ at the beach.

Oops. I forgot to mention. There’s no alcohol in this even though it’s called “beer.”

Tidbits on Ginger:

  1. Ginger is a rhizome – an underground stem that grows horizontally.
  2. Ginger, although native to India and China is grown around the world especially in the hot tropics including the Caribbean and Africa, where it was introduced in the 16th century.
  3. In the 13th and 14th centuries, ginger, along with black pepper, was one of the most commonly traded spices.
  4. Initially ginger was consumed more for its medicinal purposes than for strictly culinary purposes. Today it is believed to aide digestion, relieve rheumatoid arthritis, reduce migraines, sooth sore throats, improve circulation, reduce fat deposits in the arteries and treat nausea.

Trinidadian Ginger Beer

Makes 4 quarts

This ginger beer is assertive – strong ginger and spices. It’s not fizzy and it’s not ginger ale. If you want to dilute, do as the Trini’s do, and cut it with seltzer, mineral water, etc. If you’d like an even stronger ginger beer, reduce it by 2 cups of water.

Ingredients

1 pound fresh ginger

3 quarts water (12 cups)

2 cinnamon sticks

8 cloves

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 of fresh lime, divided – large peel and juice

1 1/2  to 1 3/4 cup raw sugar (demerara, turbinado or muscovado)

Method

  1. Peel the fresh ginger – using a peeler or the back of a spoon. Rinse. Grate ginger using a box grater or a food processor. Watch the knuckles.
  2. In a large a large non-reactive pot, bring water, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg and the peel of half a lime to a boil. Turn off heat. Add the 1 ½ cup sugar; stir until dissolved. Taste. Add fresh grated ginger and the juice from the half lime.
  3. Let the ginger mixture cool to room temperature. Leave in the pot (cover) or transfer to a large jar with a lid and refrigerate for at least 24 hours and up to a week to allow flavors to meld. (If steeping more than 24 hours – remove at least one cinnamon stick.) When ready to drink, strain through a fine colander or cheesecloth; press solids at the end to remove remaining liquid; discard solids.
  4. Serve cold. Garnish with fresh mint or thin slices of limes or other citrus. Although, not traditional, this is also great as a hot drink.

Variation

Fruit:  lemons, grapefruit, pineapple

Spices:  vanilla bean, mace, none

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19 Responses to Ginger: Trinidadian Ginger Beer

  1. Celestina says:

    This looks so refreshing! I would love to try it with the pineapple. Thanks for sharing!

  2. steve tanner says:

    Andrea

    I thought I would try this but I am a little confused, when you say “3.Set the ginger mixture aside to steep and cool to room temperature.” does this mean to leave on the heat at a non boiling temp or does it mean to just let sit not on the stove to cool for up to 24 hours?

    Steve

  3. @Steve: Thanks for asking. I clarified the directions. Hope you do make it. If you like strong ginger, you’ll dig it.

  4. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Barbara Kiebel. Barbara Kiebel said: RT @ForkFingersChop: New recipe post: #holiday #drink Trinidadian Ginger Beer – no alcohol but hear it's great w/rum http://bit.ly/guXmEQ […]

  5. Lea Ann says:

    I’m a bit of a ginger freak too. This beer looks and sounds amazing. Might just have to give it a try. Great post!

  6. This has been bookmarked! I’ve wanted to make ginger beer for my Moscow Mules but hadn’t found a recipe I trusted – until now.

  7. A whole pound of ginger? Guess that could cure a hell of a stomach ache!

  8. Tunde says:

    I especially love making this with pineapple. I think I’ll try the other variations you mentioned.

  9. Louise says:

    I am from Trinidad and my recipie is somewhat different to this.
    The lime and white sugar is to keep it clear,dont know about the cinnamon though will have to check it when I go home. D clove yes and I love it better when it.ferments.

  10. Ronnie says:

    dam that tasted good….dnt mind I forgot the cloves and added the whole lime

  11. Taheera Marie Moore says:

    After I did the recipe, I had some of this hot and it was so good!

  12. Glendine says:

    ginger beer blends beautifully with sorrel..try it ;)

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  14. Jillian says:

    I remember ginger beer the best way is after u put it in the glass jar the true trini put the jar in the sun with the ginger inside and instead of strain it u just take out what u want and sweetened now that have a bite. Any body who remember the old way let me know.

  15. Sam Dopson says:

    Jillian, your comments about putting the glass jar in the sun brought back memories. As a child, I remember my Grandma doing the same thing and always wondered why, but was too respectful to ask. One of the idiosyncrasies of growing up in the W.I. and knowing one’s roots, and I thank you for a leap of faith. God bless.

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    Ginger Beer from Trinidad for Holidays or Everyday | Fork Fingers Chopsticks

  17. Beryl Berry says:

    This Ginger Beer I love! My Family is from Trinidad. I let mine ferment outside the fridge for at least a few day’s although I do put one bottle in the fridge 24 hours later . I use 2 pounds of Ginger … lol

  18. Beryl says:

    I love this Ginger Beer. I make mine in a crockpot and the flavor is amazing! It’s like taking a shot of hard Liquor. Lol but all natural and healthy for you! Thank you so much for this recipe. My Grandmother used to make this when I was a child for the Holidays but I couldn’t drink it cause it was too strong ! But now I can handle it like a professional!

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