Swedish home-brewing expert Tove Nilsson crafts refreshing, healthy carbonated sodas. In her book Lemonade, Soda & Snacks, she shares her favorite: a perfectly balanced ginger beer with zesty lemon and spicy ginger kick.
Tove Nilsson: "One of my favorites. Nothing compares to a ginger beer where sour freshness perfectly balances the tingle of ginger."
Combine 600 ml water, both sugars, and chopped ginger in a pot. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large glass jar, add 2.5 liters of water, and cool to room temperature. Strain if needed, then stir in lemon juice and soda culture.
Cover with cheesecloth secured by an elastic band. Ferment at room temperature for 4-7 days, stirring several times daily.
Taste after 4 days. It gets drier as fermentation converts sugar—stop when it tastes fresh and balanced, before it over-ferments.
Strain into clean 330 ml PET or glass bottles, leaving 5 cm headspace. Seal and rest 1-2 days at room temp for carbonation. Refrigerate to halt fermentation.
Recipe from Lemonade, Soda & Snacks by Tove Nilsson, €17.50.
