Ginger Bug Recipe for Homemade Fermented Sodas

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Learning how to make a simple ginger bug, opens up a whole new world of possibilities! You can make your own, healthy, fermented sodas using this simple ginger bug recipe.

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Ingredients

• fresh, raw ginger (organic if possible)
• organic cane sugar
• filtered water

For most people, the only ingredient you will need to purchase is the ginger.

The reason you want to use organic ginger, is because you’re going to be using the skin and all. And you want to avoid washing it, as you want to use the beneficial microbes that are sitting on the surface.

I use organic cane sugar, because it’s less processed, and it isn’t bleached, unlike white sugar. (I buy mine in bulk from Costco, and store it in 5 gallon food-grade buckets with Gamma Seal lids).

It’s important to use good, filtered water. Chlorine will kill any beneficial microbes you’re trying to grow. If you live in town, you can put your water in a bowl and let the chlorine evaporate before using it.

I use my Berkey water filter, because it takes out all the bad stuff, but leaves those important minerals behind.

Equipment

• Glass jar
• cloth napkin or paper coffee filter
• rubber band
• small seive
• measuring spoons

Most people will already have these things on hand! I love simple recipes that don’t require a lot of gadgets or ingredients.

How to Make the Ginger Bug

Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to make the ginger bug. You’ll find the quantities listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Finely chop or grate the ginger (I do all of it at once, and store it in a jar in the refrigerator, so I don’t have to chop more ginger each day).

2. Add the 1 Tbsp of cane sugar and 1 Tbsp chopped ginger to your large mason jar.

3. Add the water

4. Stir vigorously to aerate it

5. Cover with your cloth napkin/coffee filter and secure with a rubber band

6. Let sit in a warm place in your kitchen

7. Every 24 hours, feed the ginger bug another Tbsp of sugar and ginger

1. After 7 days, your ginger bug should be fizzy and ready to use! You can use it now, or store it in the refrigerator (put a lid on it).
   
   If you store it in the refrigerator, be sure to pull it out once a week to feed it. (Using the same 1 Tbsp ginger and 1 Tbsp sugar), to keep it alive.

How to Use Your Ginger Bug

Use your ginger bug to create a healthy, homemade soda!

To use your ginger bug, add 1/2 cup of ginger bug liquid to a quart-sized mason jar. Fill with juice or homemade fruit syrup of your choice. Cover and ferment for 3-7 days.

If you want it even more carbonated, you can do a secondary ferment.

Transfer the fermented juice to swing-top bottles, and ferment for another 1-2 days. Don’t let this step go too long, as pressure will build up in your glass bottle, since it’s sealed. After 1-2 days, move the swing top bottles to your refrigerator.

Enjoy your homemade soda on a hot summer’s day!

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