Gnamakoudji Recipe

Gnamakoudji is a ginger flavored beverage popular in many West African countries. It consists of ginger, water, spices and a sweetener. The ginger and spices are steeped in hot water, then removed and sweetened. It is chilled before serving.

Gnamakoudji is also called ginger juice or ginger drink. In Ghana it is called emudro and is made with black peppercorns. The Kenyan version is called tangawizi and is preferred warm, paired with milk and tea.

Other variations include adding other ingredients to enhance the flavor of the drink, like lemon, pineapple, mint, hibiscus and even chilli peppers for extra kick.

Ginger is a root, used both as a spice and medicinally. Described as spicy, its warm fiery flavor is not the same as hot peppers as it burns the throat, not the tongue. West Africans prefer ginger juice strong.

Origin and Cultural Significance

Gnamakoudji originates from West Africa. Gnamakou means ginger. Besides Ghana and Kenya, it is also popular in Mali, Senegal and the Ivory Coast. It’s so popular, it’s a staple, made at home, sold by street vendors but still special enough to be served at occasions like weddings.

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Gnamankoudji Recipe

Yield: 5 Servings

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Gnamakoudji is a ginger flavored beverage popular in many West African countries. It consists of ginger, water, spices and a sweetener.

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Ingredients

• Water - 4 cups
• Ginger root - 8 oz.
• Sugar - 2/3 cups
• Lemon (thinly sliced) - 1

Instructions

1. Immerse the ginger for a few minutes in cold water.
2. Drain and dry them well.
3. Peel them with a vegetable peeler.
4. Using a mortar and pestle, pound the ginger until it is pasty.
5. Bring the 4 cups of water to a boil then turn off the heat.
6. Add the ginger paste and the lemon cut into slices then let infuse for 1 hour at room temperature.
7. Filter the infused mixture through cheesecloth to remove the lemon slices.
8. Add the sugar and mix well.
9. Pour the ginger juice into a glass bottle and set it aside in the refrigerator for several hours.
10. Mix well before serving, very cold.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 145Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 14mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 1gSugar: 28gProtein: 1g

Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.