June 17, 2011
Small Beer
"I had once determined to go with Frank to-morrow and take my chance, &c., but they dissuaded me from so rash a step, as I really think on consideration it would have been; for if the Pearsons were not at home, I should inevitably fall a sacrifice to the arts of some fat woman who would make me drunk with small beer." ~Jane Austen to Cassandra, 1796

Martha Lloyd's Ginger Beer Recipe Two gallons of water, two oz. Cream of Tartar. Two lbs of lump sugar. Two lemons sliced, 2 oz. of ginger bruised. Pour the water boiling on the ingredients, then add two spoonfuls of good yeast; when cold bottle it in stone bottles, tie down the corks. It is fit to drink in 48 hours-- a little more sugar is an improvement; glass bottles would not do.To recreate this drink at home, try the modern recipe available from www.jerryrig.com. Historical information provided by Donald Yates, from his new book Ginger Beer & Root Beer Heritage available from The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors. Enjoyed this article? Browse our giftshop at janeaustengiftshop.co.uk for Regency recipe books!