Ginger Beer

In a jar place 8 sultanas, juice of two lemons, 1 teaspoon of lemon pulp, 4 teaspoons of sugar, 2 teaspoons of ground ginger, 2 cups of cold water. Cover lightly with a cloth.

leave for 3 or 4 days in warm weather when it should be starting to ferment. Then each day for a week add 2 teaspoons of ground ginger and 4 teaspoons of sugar to the plant. It should be ready at the end of the week to make into beer.

To make the ginger beer

Place 4 cups of sugar into a very large bowl and add 4 cups of boiling water. Add the jiuce of four lemons. Strain the liquid from the plant by passing it through muslin or other fine cloth. Squeeze the plant dry and reserve dry material. Add 28 cups of cold water to the bowl, then add the liquid you extracted from the plant.

Mix and bottle in air tight bottles. You can use old beer bottles or bottles with screw tops. Store in a cool dark place for at least 2 weeks. Makes approximately 10 bottles.

Keeping the plant alive

Halve the plant in the cloth and place it back in the jar with 2 cups of cold water. Continue feeding with 4 teaspoons of sugar and 2 teaspoons of ginger for one week. Then you are ready to make your next batch of beer.