This is a traditional homemade drink that's found all across West Africa. It's sometimes called ginger beer, though it's not alcoholic.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes about 12 cups
Ingredients
Special Equipment
Preparation
Step 1
Purée ginger with 1/4 cup boiling-hot water in a food processor, then stir together with cloves and remaining 4 3/4 cups boiling-hot water in a large glass or stainless-steel bowl. Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature 2 hours.
Step 2
Set a sieve lined with 4 layers of rinsed and squeezed cheesecloth over another large bowl. Pour ginger mixture into sieve, then gather up edges of cheesecloth and squeeze to extract as much liquid as possible into bowl. Discard solids, reserving cheesecloth in sieve.
Step 3
Stir in 4 cups room-temperature water and lemon juice, then let stand at room temperature 1 hour (to allow sediment to settle). Ladle or pour ginger tea through sieve lined with cheesecloth, leaving any sediment at bottom of bowl. Add sugar and remaining 2 cups room-temperature water, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Chill in a pitcher until cold, about 2 hours. Serve over ice.
