Caribbean Ginger Beer

Directions

1. 1
   Wash and scrape the skin off the ginger. Grate or blend the peeled ginger (grating brings out the flavor more, but to save time it can be blended).
2. 2
   Put ginger, lime juice, cloves, cinnamon stick and 3/4 cup of the sugar into a wide mouthed gallon glass or ceramic jar.
3. 3
   Add 10 cups boiling water to jar and stir until sugar dissolves.
4. 4
   Set ginger mixture aside to steep and cool to room temperature.
5. 5
   Cover jar tightly and refrigerate for 1 week.
6. 6
   Line a large strainer with a double layer of cheesecloth.
7. 7
   Strain ginger mixture through strainer into another wide mouthed gallon glass or ceramic jar, firmly pressing on solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much flavor as possible.
8. 8
   Throw away the solids.
9. 9
   Add the remaining sugar to ginger beer and stir until it dissolves.
10. 10
    Serve in glasses over crushed ice, garnished with mint sprigs.