It All Starts With This Little Jar
My first two ginger bugs were total duds. Just sad, sugary ginger water sitting on my counter. I was about to give up, but then I read somewhere that tap water can be a problem. Turns out, the chlorine in mine was just murdering the little yeast guys before they could do anything. The second I switched to a jug of spring water from the store, it worked. So this isn’t some fancy chef thing. This ginger bug recipe is just what finally worked for me after a couple of fails.
What You’ll Need For This Ginger Bug Recipe
You don’t need much. Just grab some organic ginger from the store (don’t even bother peeling it), a scoop of sugar (whatever kind you have is probably fine), and some water that doesn’t have chlorine. That’s it.
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How to Make It
How to Actually Make a Ginger Bug
This is basically all I do. It’s more about remembering to do it than any real skill.
Step 1: The First Mix-Up
So I just take a clean-ish jar and dump in about two cups of water, two big spoonfuls of sugar, and maybe two spoonfuls of chopped-up ginger. I stir it with a spoon ’til the sugar mostly disappears. Then I cover the top with a paper towel and a rubber band so nothing gross gets in it. Stick it on the counter.
Step 2: The Daily Feeding
Okay, this is the annoying part. You have to remember to feed it. Every day for like a week, I just add another spoonful of ginger and another spoonful of sugar and give it a stir. I literally put a post-it note on the jar, or I’ll space out and forget. It’s the only way you’ll get a decent live culture going.
Step 3: Looking for Signs of Life
After a few days, you should see bubbles. That’s how you know it’s not dead. It’ll get fizzier each day, especially after you feed it and stir it up. If it smells funky or gets moldy, toss it and start over, but that’s never happened to me. Seeing those bubbles is pretty much all there is to how to make a ginger bug.
Step 4: Using Your Bug and Keeping It Alive
When it’s fizzy enough that you can see and hear it bubbling away, you can use it. I just pour some of the liquid out (prob a quarter cup?) to start my homemade ginger ale. Then I just pour some more water back in to replace what I took. The whole secret to what to feed a ginger bug to keep it going is… just more ginger and sugar. If I get tired of making soda, I just throw the whole jar in the fridge and only remember to feed it like once a week. It slows way down but doesn’t die.
Why I Bother With This Recipe At All
Honestly, the main reason I keep this ginger bug recipe going is because store-bought ginger ale is way too sweet, and making my own makes me feel like I have my life together for five minutes, even when I don’t. It’s a small win. Anyway, if you try it, let me know. Curious to see if this method works for you too.
Ginger Bug Recipe
the secret to amazing homemade soda. this fizzy starter is super easy to make with just 3 things you probably already have in your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 2 big spoonfuls organic ginger chopped up
- 2 spoonfuls sugar any kind is fine
- 2 cups water no chlorine tho
Instructions
Step 1
get a jar mix the water ginger and sugar. stir it up good. cover it with a paper towel and a rubber band.
Step 2
everyday for like a week add another spoonful of ginger and sugar. stir it again. this is the important part so dont forget.
Step 3
look for bubbles after a few days. if it's fizzy and smells a little sweet its ready. if not just wait another day or two.
Step 4
use about 1/4 cup of the liquid to start your soda. then just add back the same amount of water and keep feeding it. or stick it in the fridge.
Notes
use organic ginger for real the yeast on the skin is the secret.
tap water is a no go itll kill the bug. use bottled water.
if it gets moldy toss it. hasn't happened to me but just in case.
warmer kitchens make it ferment faster.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per ServingCalories 14Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 3mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 0gSugar 3gProtein 0g