This spicy but sweet drink is the perfect way to experience the tastes of West Africa from home. This 6 ingredient drink made with steeped ginger is great for a refreshing drink or a remedy for when you’re sick.
Hello Reader! I try my hardest to research recipes as best as I can before posting to ensure I am representing each culture correctly. If this recipe is from your country and I have made a mistake or you have suggestions for how to make it more authentic, I would love to hear! Please leave a comment below letting me know what should be different, and I will rework the recipe. It is always my intention to pay homage and respect to each cultural dish that I cook. Thanks for reading!
Recipe Origins
While it’s fun making main courses, desserts, and appetizers from around the world, I also LOVE making global drink recipes. It’s so fun to make drink recipes from around the world because they give an easy and insightful view into the tastes of each country.
This Ginger Drink is a slightly spicy drink made by steeping ginger in water alongside spices and citrus juices. I made this recipe to celebrate the country of Guinea, but, in truth, it is popular across many countries in West Africa.
In this interview with two Guinean brothers that are bottling their Ginger Drink (Ginjan) to sell, they recall that ginger juice was always sold in Guinea in a plastic bag. To drink the juice, you’d have to bite off the corner of the bag and drink through the hole that you ripped out.
Try making this ginger drink at home for a unique and fun treat!
Why Make this Recipe
- Simple: Though there are a few periods of rest in this recipe leading to a longer preparation time, the overall concept is very easy. Plus, there are only 6 ingredients (plus water)!
- Great for When You’re Sick: Though I can’t talk specifically about health benefits of this drink, I can tell you that when you have a head cold, it feels great to drink. To revitalize your nose and throat, have some of this Ginger Drink.
- “Travel” to Guinea: This recipe is a great way to experience the tastes of Guinea from your own home!
What Do I Need to Make this Recipe?
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.
- Ginger Root: You can use a spoon to peel the ginger root. Then grate it on a fine cheese grater or zester.
- Lime Juice: Use fresh limes.
- Orange Juice: Use fresh navel oranges.
How to Make this Recipe
Step 1: Steep the Ginger
In a large bowl, add the fresh ginger root and the boiling water.
Add the sugar, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Use a spoon to mix the combination together. Put a lid on the bowl and set aside on the countertop for an hour.
When the hour is over, strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer. Press the remaining ginger root with your hands to squeeze out any extra liquid. Discard the solids, but keep the liquid.
Step 2: Add the Citrus
Add the lime juice, orange juice, and water into the bowl. Put the lid back on the bowl and allow it to sit for another hour.
Step 3: Strain
After an hour, strain the liquid again, trying not to pour out any of the sediment at the bottom of the bowl.
Store in the fridge in a gallon jug or a large jar. Serve when ready… enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Some recipes call for Pineapple juice or pineapple essence. While this recipe doesn’t call for pineapple, it does sound delicious. Feel free to add it!
- Add a fresh squeeze of lime juice into each individual cup for some extra flavor.
- Some recipes for this Ginger Drink from Guinea also call for anise, lemon, or vanilla. Every recipe is different, depending on who makes it, so feel free to add whatever sounds good to you.
Recipe FAQs
While many articles call for serving this Ginger Drink chilled, you can also serve it warm. I specifically enjoy it with ice!
I diluted my recipe with 4 cups of water, but you can also use a blend of normal water and sparkling water for some extra kick.
Please keep in mind that I am not a doctor or a health blogger, so I am not an expert on the health benefits of this drink.
However, research shows that ginger juice can improve digestion, relieve pain, assist with high blood pressure, and more.
If you don’t want to hand-grate the ginger root (I don’t blame you), then you do have other options. You can do any of the following:
– Use a food processor
– Use a blender
– Use a garlic press
– Use a mortar and pestle
Did you enjoy this Ginger Drink recipe? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you:
If you make this recipe at home, leave a review/comment on this post letting us know what you thought!
And don’t forget to share a photo of your finished product on Facebook and Instagram and tag @TheForeignFork and hashtag #TheForeignFork.
Homemade Ginger Drink
Equipment
- Cheese Grater/Zester
- Large Bowl with Lid
Ingredients
- ½ cup Ginger root, fresh, grated
- 3 cups Boiling water
- 1/2 cup granulated Sugar
- 1 tsp whole Cloves
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- ¼ cup Lime juice, fresh squeezed
- ½ cup Orange juice, fresh squeezed
- 4 cups Cool water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add 1/2 cup fresh grated ginger root and 3 cups boiling water.
- Add 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp whole cloves, and 2 cinnamon sticks. Use a spoon to mix the combination together. Put a lid on the bowl and set aside on the countertop for an hour.
- When the hour is over, strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer. Press the remaining ginger root with your hands to squeeze out any extra liquid. Discard the solids, but keep the liquid.
- Add 1/4 cup lime juice, 1/2 cup orange juice, and 4 cups water into the bowl. Put the lid back on the bowl and allow it to sit for another hour.
- After an hour, strain the liquid again, trying not to pour out any of the sediment at the bottom of the bowl.
- Store in the fridge in a gallon jug or a large jar. Serve when ready… enjoy!
Notes
- Ginger Root: You can use a spoon to peel the ginger root. Then grate it on a fine cheese grater or zester.
- Lime Juice: Use fresh limes.
- Orange Juice: Use fresh navel oranges.
- Some recipes call for Pineapple juice or pineapple essence. While this recipe doesn’t call for pineapple, it does sound delicious. Feel free to add it!
- Add a fresh squeeze of lime juice into each individual cup for some extra flavor.
- Some recipes for this Ginger Drink from Guinea also call for anise, lemon, or vanilla. Every recipe is different, depending on who makes it, so feel free to add whatever sounds good to you.
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