Beverages

Gemmer (ginger beer)

Name: Gemmer (ginger beer)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: PTM
Total time: 5 min
Yield: Makes 10 litres servings
Cuisine: Beverages
Ingredients: ground ginger 38 g,dry active yeast 1 t,cream of tartar 1 t,fresh ginger 90 g,large lemongrass stalks 8,smashed sugarcane 1.8 kg,lukewarm water 10 litres

By Vusi Ndlovu

Serves Makes 10 litres

Difficulty Easy

Prep Time 5 minutes, plus 24 hours’ fermentation time

During the first lockdown, we saw many iterations of pineapple and ginger beer. My research tells me that a few tricks are used to add sweetness, including the use of raisins or pineapple skins. Feel free to experiment. Gemmer is great with charred limes.

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Ingredients

Method

38 g ground ginger
1 t dry active yeast
1 t cream of tartar
90 g fresh ginger
8 large lemongrass stalks
1.8 kg smashed sugarcane
10 litres lukewarm water

Method

Ingredients

1. Place all the ingredients in a large saucepan. Stir well and ensure the sugar has dissolved. Cover and leave at room temperature for 24–30 hours.

2. Strain through a fine cloth. At this point the ginger beer is ready to be bottled and refrigerated. Serve with ice and charred limes.

Find more beverage recipes here.

Photographs: Toby Murphy
Production: Abigail Donnelly

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Recipe by: Vusi Ndlovu

Chef and TASTE contributor Vusi Ndlovu is the co-owner of EDGE, a restaurant focusing on indigenous ingredients, reimagined with a fine dining twist and the tradition of cooking over an open fire.

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