Homemade Ginger Ale
gf / v
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Makes about 2 liters.
Ingredients
2/3 cup finely grated fresh ginger
3/4 cup sugar
7 & 1/2 cups bottled water (non-carbonated)
1/8 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 & 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice
Steps
  1. Heat sugar and ginger in 1/2 cup water over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat, cover pan and let it sit for one hour.  
  2. Strain the ginger-sugar syrup over a bowl, pressing to get all the juice out.
  3. Chill syrup in refrigerator, uncovered, until  room temperature.
  4. Pour syrup into a clean glass two liter jug or bottle.  
  5. Add yeast, lemon juice, and 7 cups of water.
  6. Put a top on the bottle; gently shake to mix.  Let sit at room temperature for two days.
  7.  Open and check for desired amount of carbonation.  Once you like the amount of carbonation, put the ginger ale in the refrigerator.  You can keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks, but open the bottle at least once a day to let out some carbonation!
(Inspired by Alton Brown)