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.

ginger bug with coffee filter on top

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Ingredients

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

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).

jar of cane sugar and piece of ginger

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.

adding water to measuring cup from berkey water filter

Equipment

  • Glass jar
  • cloth napkin or paper coffee filter
  • rubber band
  • small seive
  • measuring spoons
large mason jar, coffee filter, rubber band, tablespoon, small mason jar

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).
jar of chopped ginger

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

3. Add the water

adding water to ginger bug

4. Stir vigorously to aerate it

stirring ginger bug

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

ginger bug with coffee filter cover

6. Let sit in a warm place in your kitchen

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

ginger bug in a mason jar
  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.
top view of ginger bug with bubbles

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!

ginger bug and a piece of ginger

Ginger Bug

Alissa McCaw
Make a naturally fermented ginger bug, which you can use as a base for any wild fermented soda, including homemade ginger ale!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Fermenting Time 7 days
Total Time 7 days 10 minutes
Course Drinks
Servings 4 1/2 cup servings
Calories 35 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Quart sized mason jar
  • 1 Small mason jar with lid For storing chopped ginger
  • 1 Small seive For straining your ginger bug
  • 1 Cloth napkin or paper coffee filter
  • 1 Rubber band
  • 1 Glass measuring cup

Ingredients
  

Start the Ginger bug

  • 1 Tbsp organic cane sugar
  • 1 Tbsp chopped ginger organic
  • 2 Cups filtered water non-chlorinated

Feed the Ginger Bug (daily)

  • 1 Tbsp organic cane sugar
  • 1 Tbsp chopped ginger

Feed the Ginger Bug (weekly)

  • 1 Tbsp organic cane sugar
  • 1 Tbsp chopped ginger
  • filtered water top up as needed when you use your bug

Instructions
 

Prep Ginger

  • Rinse ginger under non-chlorinated water
  • Chop your ginger (go ahead and do all of it – it will make it much easier to feed it daily if your ginger is pre-chopped for the week).

Start Ginger Bug

  • Add 1 Tbsp each of sugar and chopped garlic to your 1 quart mason jar
  • Pour in 2 cups of filtered water, stirring while you pour
  • Cover your jar with a coffee filter or a cloth napkin, and secure with a rubber band
  • Place on counter in a warm spot, out of direct sunlight

Feed Ginger Bug

  • Each day, add 1 Tbsp chopped ginger, and 1 Tbsp sugar. Stir, and re-cover

Store Ginger Bug

  • After feeding your ginger bug for 7 days, it should be fizzy. At this point, you can switch the cover for a plastic lid, and store it in the refrigerator
  • Once a week, take it out and feed it 1 Tbsp chopped ginger, and 1 Tbsp sugar

Using Your Ginger Bug

  • If your ginger bug has been refrigerated, you want to wake it up, by removing it from the refrigerator, feeding it, and letting it sit at room temperature for 12-24 hours.
  • Use 1/2 cup of the liquid as your starter for your soda
  • Replace the liquid you removed with water, and return the ginger bug to the refrigerator
  • Continue feeding your ginger bug weekly until the next use
  • Over time, the chopped ginger will accumulate in the jar. You can strain out the liquid, dispose of the old ginger, and resume feeding it as per usual

Notes

Ingredients

  • Use filtered, non-chlorinated water
  • Use organic ginger where possible

Equipment

  • Make sure all your equipment has been washed in hot, soapy water before use
 

Nutrition

Calories: 35kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.04gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 7mgPotassium: 25mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 9gVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 0.03mg
Keyword fermented beverage
Tried this recipe?Mention @creeksidesimplicity or tag #creeksidesimplicity!

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