How to Make a Ginger Bug for Making Probiotic Rich Fermented Drinks
Hi Sweet Friends,
A Ginger Bug is a fermentation starter for making homemade carbonated beverages. It’s easy to make and only takes a few minutes a day of preparation over the course of 5 days to ferment. Once it’s fermented, you will add a 1/4 cup of the ginger bug liquid to a quart of a sweetened beverage that you’ll decant into a sealed bottle.
Left undisturbed, the sweetened liquid ferments and becomes a carbonated drink that is gut healthy and probiotic rich and much better for you than commercially made sodas.
After you’ve made the Ginger Bug, be sure to use it to make Fermented Ginger Ale.
Related Videos
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Stay in Touch with Mary’s Nest
-
Subscribe to My YouTube Channel for Traditional Foods Videos (Free) -
When you subscribe, be sure to click on the notification bell that will let you know each time I upload a new video.
-
Subscribe to Mary’s Traditional Foods Newsletter (Free) -
Get a free eBook for signing up: How to Stock Your Essential Traditional Foods Four-Corners Pantry.
- Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy (Optional Paid) - For more detailed videos and exclusive members-only perks, join my YouTube membership community.
I look forward to having you join me in my Texas Hill Country Kitchen!
Love,Mary ♥
You can print the recipe below.
How to Make a Ginger Bug for Making Probiotic Rich Fermented Drinks
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons Grated ginger, peeled
- 5 tablespoons White cane sugar
- 10 tablespoons Filtered water Chlorine free
Instructions
- Day 1: Add 2 tablespoons of grated ginger, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 2 tablespoons water to a quart-sized jar and stir well. Cover the jar with a coffee filter or clean fabric and leave undisturbed in a warm place for 24 hours.
- Day 2-5: Repeat steps outlined in Day 1.
- After 5 days, your Ginger Bug is ready to use to make fermented beverages. Learn how to make Fermented Ginger Ale here: https://marysnest.com/recipe/homemade-fermented-ginger-ale/
Notes
Shop for items used in this blog post or video
- Visit Mary's Nest Amazon Shop
-
Visit my Shopping Guide page
Learn where I buy my Beef Bones, Wild-Caught Fish, Sprouted Grains, and more...and learn about Special Discounts for Mary's Nest visitors, including from US Wellness Meats, Vital Choice, Masontops, and Breadsmart.
Favorite Bone Broth Making Supplies:
- 16-Quart Stock Pot
- 8-Quart Stock Pot
- 7-Quart Slow Cooker
- 8-Quart Slow Cooker
- 10-Quart Slow Cooker
- Fat Separator
- Stainless Steel Strainer
- Flour Sack Towels
*Affiliates note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My videos and blog posts may contain affiliate links to products and services. If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay.
**Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, a medical professional, a dietician, or a nutritionist. All content found on the MarysNest.com website, including text, images, videos, eBooks or eGuides, social media, or other formats, were created solely for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or proper nutritional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have watched in a video or read on this website. Use caution when following the recipe in this video. The creator and publisher of this video and website will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of this recipe and method or any other recipe and method on this website or corresponding video channel.
My bug isn’t fizzy, doesn’t look fermented at all. Let me tell you what I did, it might be my fault. Day 1 was a leisure day, so I grated all 10 tbsp of ginger. I knew the rest of the week would be hectic, so I froze the ginger in tbsp cubes, and just dropped 2 in every day, with the water (Poland spring) and sugar. It’s been so hot here so I knew the cubes would melt fast, which they did, and I know the fridge doesn’t kill ferments, so I figured they’d be ok. But there’s no bubbly action happening. Day 6 I even added another helping of water and sugar, but still nothing. What are your thoughts? Is there any hope?
Hi Chris, I understand completely. Ferments of any type can be VERY persnickety! I think the problem is the heat. Ferments don’t do well when it gets too hot – and unfortunately, they don’t like temperature swings either. So trying to modulate the temperature can upset them! Oh dear! They are so fussy!! I think the best thing to do, might be to try and start another “bug” once the temp in your home can be somewhere in the 68F-72F range. Keep me posted. Love, Mary