Ginger Bug Starter Recipe

Name: Ginger Bug Starter Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 7 min
Yield: 1 cup
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup fresh ginger, grated; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 cups filtered water; 1/4 cup fresh ginger, grated (for feeding); 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for feeding)

Published: August 17, 2025 Prep Time: About 10 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 7 days 10 minutes Serves: 1 cup Difficulty: Medium Category: Beverage Cuisine: American

Ingredients

1/4 cup fresh ginger, grated
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 cups filtered water
1/4 cup fresh ginger, grated (for feeding)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for feeding)

Instructions

In a clean jar, combine 1/4 cup grated ginger and 1/4 cup sugar.
Add 2 cups filtered water and stir well.
Cover with a clean cloth and secure with a rubber band.
Let sit at room temperature for 24 hours.
Each day for 7 days, add 1 tablespoon grated ginger and 1 tablespoon sugar.
Stir well and recover with cloth.
After 7 days, the bug should be bubbly and active.
Use 1/4 cup of the bug to start your ginger beer or other fermented drinks.
Keep feeding the remaining bug daily to maintain it.

Special Notes

This natural starter is perfect for making ginger beer and other fermented drinks. The key is to use filtered water and keep the jar at room temperature. The bug will develop a yeasty, slightly sour smell when it's ready. It's a great way to start your fermentation journey and create delicious, probiotic-rich beverages at home.