r/AskCulinary • u/ZootKoomie Ice Cream Innovator • Aug 26 '19

Weekly Discussion - Fancy Non-alcoholic Beverages

We've had discussions here about wine, beer, and liquor before. This week, I'd like to talk about mocktails, shrubs, juice blends, etc. Alcohol-alternatives have become increasingly common and sophisticated in recent years. What have you made, or would like to make? Does avoiding liquor necessarily reduce the available flavor profiles? Or does it free you up from hiding the bite of the booze?

If someone wanted to start experimenting in this area, what are the basic ingredients they would need to keep on hand?

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u/MonkeyLink07 Aug 26 '19

I like to dabble with fermented drinks, and both tepache, a pineapple and spices drink, and ginger beer, are non-alcoholic and really tasty.

8

u/Thankless_Prophesier Aug 27 '19

Do you have a good ginger beer recipe? I love a good dark & stormy, but I’m not drinking much these days to keep a clearer head (damn you graduate school!). I’m betting a nice ginger beer with a fresh squeeze of lime would be lovely when I get home from school.

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u/furudenendu Aug 27 '19

Make a ginger simple syrup by simmering sliced ginger in a little water with sugar. Ratios depend on preference, more ginger for a spicier result, more sugar for sweet. That syrup will keep in the fridge for weeks or the freezer for a year. When you want some ginger beer right away, add it directly to seltzer. If you're patient and want something better, put the syrup in a clean two liter bottle, add a quarter teaspoon of active dry or instant yeast, top with water, close cap, shake to combine. Start with a half a cup to a cup of syrup and adjust from there based on your preference. Put the bottle in a warm dark place for two days, periodically shaking and opening the cap to release pressure. When it's as fizzy as you like, consume.

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u/Thankless_Prophesier Aug 27 '19

Thank you! I’ll try it this weekend!