Quick Note: I really have been meaning to post this for several days now & just never got around to it (just in case you may be wondering why in the world I’m still talking about Christmas in 2012) *grins* Happpyyyy New Year!!!
On Christmas Day in many Caribbean islands, including my own (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) there are certain things that are must haves in the home! No ifs, no buts, no maybes. Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without them. Ginger Beer is one of them. Now, this ginger beer prolly wouldn’t be like anything you’d think it’d be because it’s totally non alcoholic. Every Caribbean island does theirs a little differently, for example, Jamaica. They add yeast to their ginger beer. Trinidadians (who offers the recipe I like best) add lime to their ginger beer. Vincentians basically use ginger, water and sugar. Some people leave their “beer” to ferment in a cool dark place while others put theirs out in the sun. Some people sweeten the drink before fermenting. Some after. I guess it’s all up to the individual and their preferences. Regardless of the array of spices/ingredients used and methods employed, one thing is for sure – the ginger is a throat (and sometimes ear) burner. This is ginger beer, it has a bite that is not for faint hearted (I’m just teasing….or am I?). Really though, it is not to be likened to ginger ale or one of these “soda-like” drinks you may have had. This drink has a real kick and burn. You sip it. Swallow it. Exhale and then you feel the burn (sometimes, through your ears). However, if it’s any comfort to you, this ginger beer is also quite refreshing & addictive.
Ingredients:
1lb fresh ginger
8 cups boiling water
1 1/2 cups sugar (or to taste) (I used both granulated & dark brown sugar)
one tablespoon of lime juice
cloves
Method:
1. Wash and remove the skin from the ginger.
2. Chop the ginger and blend in a little water. I wanted to do it the way my grandmother and mother did it, so I grated it on a grater. They would use the smallest side of the grater to grate but I used the 3rd largest. Much easier.
3. Add ginger to a vessel and then pour boiling water into the vessel. I used an old Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice (sterilized) bottle. Give it a good shake once you’ve covered it.
4. Put in a dark place, or in the fridge or in direct sunlight for a few hours. I put mine in a cool, dark place for 48 hours. When that was done. I strained it into a glass mug-jug, added a squeeze of lime, a teaspoon of whole cloves and then sweetened the drink.
5. Serve chilled or with ice cubes. I poured myself a glass and pictured that I was back in the Caribbean waiting to be served my large plate of “Christmas food”.
Bye For Now…..
Lmao wow good to see a fellow islander in the bloggersphere.I’m from Antigua & Barbuda by the way.Only contrast is that I’m a male,and I specialize in seducing women.
Hi Kenny! Nice to meet a fellow West Indian! Antigua & Barbuda is a very beautiful place. Happy New Year to you. And thanks so much for checking out my blog. I’ll be sure to visit yours.
Eventhough I hate being called west ‘INDIAN’ since I’m not an INDIAN lol but I get what you mean though.
No doubt,this is what the bloggersphere is all about:speading the love on each other’s blogs.
LOL! Boy behave!!! *in my accent*
And you’re absolutely right about the Ginger beer thing.
Eventhough I was raised and grew up in NYC,I’ve been bacc few years now and my grandma always does hot-ass Ginger beer at Christmas time.
Wen I saw dis I jus smile cuz I was drinkiing sum ginger tea at d same time …we vincy ppl jus love out ginger beer bad…Happy New Year to u n ur family God bless njoy :)
Not just Vincy lmao.The whole islands are in love with ginger beer.
Thank you sweetie. Happy New Year to you and yours too.
@Tia-I actually don’t know what a Vincy accent sounds like.I need to take a trip down there.
I like that you have been sharing a variety of beverage recipes lately. This Ginger Beer looks great… I love ginger!
Brandon
from http://www.theyummybits.com
Thanks Brandon. Tis the season to be continually drinking. Happy New Year.
How fun! This sounds wonderful!
Sorrel is my thing! I grated a good bit of ginger in mine this time and made it a ginger sorrel. I love it both hot and cold :)
Ginger beer smells SO good, but it burns the hell out of my throat….. I can’t. *he he*
Happy New Year!
#teamsorrel
x
I will have to make some sorrel soon. I haven’t had some in a year.
I like sorrel drink too but I hate it with Ginger in it.
Hello!
oops sorry that sent before I finished! I will start again…
This looks tremendous! I’ve also tagged and recommended you you in the Food Blogger Uncovered Award. I hope you like it! I quite enjoyed writing a bit about my baking, nice bit of fun! Please have a look and if you want to answer the questions too please feel free to do so. I look forward to reading more about you and your food/baking inspiration soon!
http://princeproductions.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/food-bloggers-unplugged-and-the-versatile-blogger-award/
Happy New Year!
Thank you! I checked it out and I’m truly appreciative of the nomination. Thanks for reading my posts consistently.
Tia,
Thanks for dropping by my blog. Also, I celebrated my first Vincy Christmas this year, complete with Ginger Beer. Holy crap, it had some bite to it. My mouth was burning bad, but youre right, it was kind of addictive. I would be interested in learning any West Indian/Vincy recipes if you wouldnt mind sharing? Happy New Year!
All de best,
Valarie
Hi Valerie,
You are welcome! And thank you for coming to my corner as well. YAY! @ your first Vincy Christmas. Gotta love ginger beer. If you scroll peruse my blog you’ll find other Caribbean/West Indian/Vincentian recipes. I will continue to post more in the future as well. So far I’ve done Stewed Saltfish, Saltfish Cakes and Macaroni Pie that are all done in true Vincentian style. I also made stewed pigeon peas on Christmas day and will be posting that in the next few days. There’ll be lots more goodies to come, so please stay tuned.
Also if you have any specific recipes/dishes in mind that you’d like for me to give you a recipe to or see featured on my site, please just feel free to ask!
In keeping with the spirit of the Holidays, do you have a recipe for Black Cake. I recently had it at a neighbor’s house over Christmas. Macaroni pie, breadfruit and saltfish and stewed pigeon peas are so good; some of my favorite dishes here.
Black cake is one that I’m not very fond of so I don’t have any recipes of my own or family recipes either but you can try this one http://www.chow.com/recipes/12252-caribbean-black-fruitcake. Instead of using port though, Vincentians use Gonsalves Black Wine (a lot of floral, fruity flavor). You should be able to find it in their store in Kingstown. I would also add some Sunset Strong Rum. Alcohol makes everything (where food is concerned) better.
I’ve made macaroni pie and posted it HERE and I’ve also made saltfish. Breadfruit isn’t readily available to me so I usually eat it with rice and whatever ground provisions I can put my hands on. They are all SO good! I have already written up a stewed pigeon peas recipe since last week but will be posting it tomorrow or Monday so stay tuned (maybe you can compare it to any you’ve made or tasted before)
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