Senegalese ginger juice
Jus de gingembre: Dakar's fiery fresh ginger drink with lemon and mint
Nearly every Senegalese party, baptism and wedding table carries a jug of jus de gingembre next to the bissap, and Dakar street sellers keep it in frosted plastic bottles. Fresh ginger is blended with water, left to steep, strained and sweetened, then brightened with lemon and mint. Expect a sweet first sip followed by a strong, warming burn that is surprisingly refreshing when the drink is ice cold. Some cooks add a little pineapple juice or vanilla for a rounder taste. Chef's tip: taste before serving and dilute with cold water if it is too fierce; the most common mistake is serving it undiluted, when it can be strong enough to make people cough.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
- 9 oz fresh gingerpeeled and chopped
- 6 ¼ cups cold water
- 7 oz sugaror to taste
- 4 tbsp lemon juiceabout 2 lemons
- 1 handful fresh mint leaves
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- ice cubes (optional)
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What you'll need
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Blend 9 oz fresh ginger with 2 cups cold water (500 ml) until very fine, about 2 minutes.
2 minStep 2: Pour into a bowl, add the rest of 4 ¼ cups cold water and 1 handful fresh mint leaves, cover and leave to steep for 30 minutes, longer for a stronger juice.
30 minStep 3: Strain through a sieve lined with muslin, squeezing the pulp hard. Discard the pulp and mint.
Step 4: Stir in 7 oz sugar until dissolved, then 4 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Taste and adjust the sugar and water.
Step 5: Chill well and serve over ice cubes. Keeps 3 days in the fridge in a closed bottle; shake before serving.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 110 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 28 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does senegalese ginger juice take?
- About 20 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of fresh ginger?
- ¼ tsp ground ginger per tbsp fresh (add it with the spices).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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