Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the jar. Add the water and the sugar. Screw on the lid and shake. Grate the ginger root and add to the jar. Cover with a paper towel and secure with a rubber band.

Every day, add a teaspoonful of sugar and a teaspoonful of grated ginger. Give the mixture a stir to dissolve the sugar. You’re welcome to put the lid on and give it a shake. Once the sugar is dissolved remove the lid and keep the paper towel rubber banded to the top to keep out insects and dust and cats or whatever else shares your home with you.

After a couple of days, when you add the sugar and ginger, and put on the lid to shake it, you will notice that some pressure builds up in the jar. Success! This is just what you want! The microbes are busy reproducing and digesting the sugar you’ve been adding. You are the proud owner of a Ginger Bug!