This article will discuss the Jamaican Ginger Beer Syrup recipe, ingredients, and benefits of drinking it. Jamaican Ginger Beer Syrup has various health benefits and has low sugar content. You can boost the benefits with probiotics of your preference.
Jamaican Ginger Beer Syrup Recipe
You can say goodbye to the Jamaican Ginger Beer Syrup brought in the store. Here is how you can make Jamaican Ginger Beer Syrup using fresh ginger. It is a non-fermented version that is still tasty and thirst-quenching. It serves as a great drink during holidays or any time of the year.
If you have always wanted to taste the Caribbean version of ginger beer, here is the recipe you need now.
Jamaican Ginger Beer Syrup Ingredients
In simple form, ginger beer is made from either fresh or dried ginger sugar and lemon juice. Ginger beer’s fermentation is created by adding yeast during the brewing process. There are two types of ginger beer available: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The taste of ginger beer varies with the kinds of ginger and sugar used. More importantly, some brands don’t indicate the ginger content in the product. So you can make it in your home.
Is Jamaican Ginger Beer Syrup Alcoholic?
Though the name ginger beer, this isn’t a beer or alcoholic beverage; that’s not how Jamaicans make it. Instead, we sort this on the bandwagon of the British and re-invented a strong spice-infused soft beverage, Ginger Juice. Jamaicans carry out the fermentation process and use chewing sticks according to tradition. But in total, it is a soft and child-friendly drink.
Jamaicans are more inclined to use rum in their freshly made ginger beer if they want a slight kick. Rum is the most preferred alcohol to be added to Jamaican Ginger Beer.
How to make Jamaican Ginger Beer Syrup?
Wash the ginger and peel it.
Grate the ginger, chop it up, and blend it with a half cup of water.
Add water if required.
Grating the ginger is preferred as it brings out the flavor.
Add the ginger, cloves, cinnamon stick, water, and optional rice, to a large pot.
Simmer it on low-medium heat for 5 minutes without destroying the properties.
Remove the pot from the stove, allow it to cool, and add lime juice.
Stir it if you are using granulated sugar.
Cover the pot and store it in a cool place or keep it in the refrigerator for several hours or a week.
The longer you leave it to rest, the stronger it will taste.
When it is ready to serve, strain it with cheesecloth or an extra fine mesh strainer.
Stir and add rum or essence, which is optional.
Add water if it is too strong and adjust to taste.
Carbonated Version
If you want to taste the carbonated version of Jamaican Ginger Beer Syrup, you can add sparkling water to the homemade ginger syrup. Sparkling water is a naturally occurring option.
How long does the Ginger Beer last?
It is usually served within 48 hours of making the Jamaican Ginger Beer Syrup. You can store it in your refrigerator for 7 to 10 days. But keep an eye on it as soon as you have made it.
What to do with the leftover pulp or peel?
You can use the leftover pulp or peel as compost if you are into gardening or use it to make boiled ginger tea. This pulp can also be added to your favorite smoothies.
Tips to make Jamaican Ginger Beer Syrup
You can peel the skin of ginger to avoid slight bitterness in the ginger beer.
You can add brown rice as an option as it extends the shelf life and yields no flavor.
Adding brown rice won’t impart any taste to the ginger beer.
You can use liquid syrup like agave or maple rather than granulated sugar.
For best results, you can serve chill with ice.
You can also use yeast to ferment ginger beer.
This recipe is child friendly and safe for drivers to drink.
Please ensure you heat the ginger mixture in low, medium flame to retain its properties.
Traditional Jamaican Ginger Beer Syrup is made by using a Jamaican chewing stick.
It is challenging to get chewing sticks outside the Caribbean so that you can omit them.
You can include it with the spices. If used, have a Jamaican chewing stick.
You can feel free to add species like cloves, cinnamon, and more.
If you don’t have whole spices, add one teaspoon of cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of cloves.
Jamaican Ginger Beer Syrup Benefits
Ginger beer has many health benefits that make it unique from other beverages.
It helps in relieving nausea and improves digestion
According to studies, ginger beer enhances digestion and helps food move smoothly tough the stomach. Stomach discomforts and nausea can be strongly correlated to each other. Ginger’s active substances gingerol and diagonal are effective agents to relieve stomach irritation and other digestive problems. These substances activate the body’s saliva and bile production, mix with the food contents, and assist digestion.
It helps in lowering the risk of cancer
Ginger beer is said to lower the risk of cancer. But still, studies need to be conducted for further scientific studies. Early indications say that ginger beer has active compounds that exhibit anti-cancer properties. A survey conducted by Cancer Prevention Research in 2013 says ginger killed off human colorectal cancer cells and prevented cancer from growing back. Another study published by Molecular Nutrition and Food Research in 2016 states that ginger prevented the development of human cells.
Have Anti-Inflammatory benefits
Ginger has active compounds that suppress inflammation and helps in pain relief. A study conducted in 2013 found that ginger works just like anti-inflammatory medication such as steroids to cure rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatism. The research published by the International Journal of Preventive Medicine says that consuming ginger regularly can suppress tissue inflammation and help the body protect against diseases caused by infectious agents and harmful habits like smoking.
Ginger’s potassium content helps to provide detoxification support and works well with Glutathione, a potent antioxidant that eliminates harmful free radicals.
Have Antibacterial properties
Ginger’s antibacterial properties help us understand why ginger is a primary ingredient in many culinary and traditional recipes worldwide. A study by the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Buea in Cameroon states that ginger suppresses four types of respiratory pathogens. A study conducted in Nigeria has revealed that GInger is superior to antibiotics.
Helps in slow down of Aging
Drinking ginger beer can delay the process of the aging process. Ginger beer can bring a sense of calm and energy to keep up with our daily routines. Ginger beer can promote good mental health. It treats mental problems like memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. Ginger can increase the brain levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. It can promote the activity of another neurotransmitter called acetylcholine which is a practical key in learning and memory.
You can prepare your own Jamaican Ginger Beer Syrup at home. Enjoy having a ginger beer with your family to get numerous health benefits.
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