Fermented Ginger Soda

Also known as "Ginger Ale" this great soda recipe is a must have around our household.  It has a lemon flavor with a warm ginger undertone.  I got the original recipe here, https://wellnessmama.com/8945/ginger-ale/.  But as you know I like to tweak it and make it my own.

RECIPE: (for 3 half gallon jars) 
*1 large ginger root, about 3 inches wide (chopped into 1/2 inch pieces)
* 1 1/2 cup organic white sugar
* 1 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 tablespoon molasses
* 1 1/2 cup homemade ginger bug  (how to make ginger bug ...https://wellnessmama.com/8942/ginger-bug/ 
* 12 cups filtered water

First, add your cut up ginger to your filtered water (don't use tap water) and bring it to a boil.  Boil your ginger for a few minutes.  Turn off the flame and cover the pot and let it sit for an hour or so.  The ginger will infuse into the water and cool down a bit.  You don't want to bottle boiling ginger tea. 

Next add your slightly cool ginger tea mixture into a half gallon mason jar.  Add your sugar, lemon juice, molasses, and pinch of salt.

Next you are going to add your fizzy ginger bug to the mason jar mixture. Don't use all of it, you will need to keep some for starting the next culture.  I reserve at least 1/4 cup of the original mixture to start the next batch.  I strain out the ginger from the bug and put it back in the bug jar.  Refill the ginger bug and add some sugar then tightly cap and set aside for next time. 

Next you will add some filtered water so the ginger tea mixture is 1 inch from the top of the jar.  Then tightly cap your jar and set it in a warm area to ferment for 3 - 5 days. 

You know your Ginger Soda is ready when the jar lid is bulging and you hear a loud hissssss when you open the lid. 

Now it is time to bottle your soda and put it in the refrigerator to stop the fermenting process. I strain out my ginger and lemon pulp pieces and give them to the chickens. 

Please only use bottles that can take some pressure and have tight fitting lids.  I use soda bottles with swing top lids.  This soda can build up a lot of pressure as it continues to ferment in the frig! 

You are all set!  Let your soda sit for about a day in the frig all sealed up then pop the lid and enjoy your homemade Ginger Ale or as we call it, Ginger Soda.