The making of Ginger Beer

I was asked this week, "Do I make my ginger beer from scratch? Well, I do!  I remembered my mother doing it, so it is natural to me. I don't put the bottle in the sun, as she did, but it is almost as good. I do add vodka or rum, to make it into an afternoon cocktail.
 3 lbs Ginger Root, cleaned, peeled, grated

8 qts water, boling

3 T yeast

2T cream of tartar

2 limes, rind, juiced

3 C sweetener/ sugar

Cloves

Add ginger to boiling water. Add cream of tartar, juice and zest. Cover but stir frenquently.

When lukewarm, add yeast cover let stand 6 hours. Stir

Sweeten, bottle and add 2-3 cloves to each bottle, refrigerate. Will keep for 4 days.

The addition of rum will preserve it longer.