- About 1/4 pound ginger, peeled
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
- About 2 quarts water
- a Microplane grater; a funnel; a clean 2-liter plastic bottle with cap
- Grate enough ginger using Microplane to measure 3 1/2 tablespoons, then put in a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl to collect juice, pressing on solids and then discarding.
- Place funnel in neck of bottle and pour in 3 tablespoons ginger juice (reserve any remaining for another use). Add sugar, lemon juice, yeast, and a pinch of salt.
- Fill bottle with water, leaving about 1 1/2 inches of space at top. Remove funnel and screw cap on tightly. Gently shake bottle to dissolve sugar.
- Let stand at room temperature until plastic feels hard and no longer indents when squeezed, 24 to 36 hours.
- Chill ginger beer until very cold.