National Dish Burkina Faso: Jus de Gingembre (Recipe)
In this article
Discover Jus de Gingembre, the golden ginger cordial that Burkina Faso reaches for whenever the afternoon heat becomes too much! Fiery fresh ginger meets bright lemon and just enough sugar to round it off, giving you a drink that is warming and cooling in the same sip. It takes four ingredients, one pan and barely any effort — yet it carries all the warmth of Burkinabè hospitality in a single glass.
About Jus de Gingembre
Jus de Gingembre is a traditional drink from Burkina Faso, celebrated for its distinctive flavour and its wonderfully refreshing effect. This ginger drink brings together the heat of fresh ginger and a sweet note from sugar and lemon. It is not only a favourite through the hottest hours of the day but also a genuine part of Burkinabè food culture, poured for guests and neighbours alike. Best of all, making it is straightforward and easily managed at home with no special equipment.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 50 g fresh ginger
- 1 lemon
- 100 g sugar (or to taste)
- 1 litre water
Shopping for the ingredients
To make Jus de Gingembre you want genuinely fresh ingredients. Look for firm, unwrinkled fresh ginger, as this delivers by far the best flavour. The lemon should be juicy and ripe so you get that ideal sweet-and-sour balance. Sugar is easy to come by anywhere, but you are free to use natural sweeteners such as honey instead, depending on your own preference.
Preparing the dish
Before you start, wash all the ingredients thoroughly. Peel the ginger with the edge of a teaspoon, which strips away the skin while keeping as much of the crisp root as possible. Prepare the lemon by halving it and squeezing out the juice. These small preparations matter — they are what allow the full aroma to come through in the finished drink.
Step-by-step instructions
- Chop or grate the peeled ginger into small pieces.
- Pour the water into a pan and bring it to the boil.
- Add the ginger to the boiling water and let it simmer for about 10–15 minutes.
- Allow the liquid to cool, then strain out the ginger.
- Stir in the sugar and lemon juice until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Serve chilled, or pour it over ice cubes.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
Jus de Gingembre is naturally gluten-free and lactose-free, which makes it an excellent choice for anyone with those intolerances. The only thing worth checking is the sugar: make sure it is pure and free of any gluten-containing additives. That simple precaution turns the drink into a safe option for every kind of diet, whether you are serving it alongside a bowl of Riz Gras or on its own.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
This drink is already vegan, since it contains nothing but plant-based ingredients. If you would rather avoid refined sugar, however, agave syrup or coconut blossom sugar both work beautifully as alternative sweeteners. They also bring their own subtle caramel notes into play, which adds another layer of interest. Either way, you end up with a refreshing drink that slots neatly into a plant-based diet.
More tips and tricks
For an even deeper aroma, toast the ginger briefly in a dry pan before boiling it — this gives the drink a rounder, slightly smoky edge. If you prefer a fierier version, simply increase the quantity of ginger. Experiment with other citrus fruits such as limes or oranges to create different flavour profiles. Adding a handful of mint makes the whole thing especially cooling.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
Jus de Gingembre is highly adaptable. Depending on your palate you can vary the amount of sugar and lemon at will. For a less sweet version, leave out the sugar altogether or add extra lemon juice instead. You might also throw in other spices such as cinnamon or cloves to widen the flavour. Adjustments like these make it easy to build the perfect drink for any occasion.
Ingredient substitutions
If you have no fresh ginger to hand, ground ginger will do the job, though the flavour is noticeably less intense. When you are after an alternative to sugar, honey or other natural sweeteners are ideal, as mentioned above. Replacing the water with coconut water lends the drink a tropical character that pairs surprisingly well with the heat of the root. Do adjust your quantities carefully, since dried products are far more concentrated than fresh ones.
Drink pairing ideas
Beyond Jus de Gingembre there are plenty of other refreshing drinks from West Africa worth trying. Bissap, the hibiscus infusion, is a popular choice with its gently sweet, floral character, and the chilled Jus de Bissap is a close cousin. Tangy Jus de Tamarin offers a sharper counterpoint. For anyone wanting something stronger, Dolo carries a great deal of culture and tradition with it.
Serving and presentation ideas
Presentation can lift the Jus de Gingembre experience considerably. Serve the drink in tall glasses garnished with a wedge of lemon or a thin slice of ginger. Fresh mint leaves add not only flavour but a vivid splash of colour. A handsome carafe on the table makes the whole thing far more inviting and tends to encourage guests to pour themselves a second glass.
A bit of history
Jus de Gingembre has its roots in Burkinabè kitchen culture and stands as a symbol of hospitality and community. Across many West African countries the drink is traditionally served at gatherings and celebrations, where a full carafe signals a welcome. Ginger’s long-standing reputation for health and wellbeing has helped make this drink a treasured part of Burkinabè cuisine. Try it, and you will feel the spirit of Burkina Faso.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Jus de Gingembre
Jus de Gingembre is far more than a refreshing drink; it is a symbol of Burkinabè culture. The combination of fresh ginger, sugar and lemon delivers a flavour that is both nourishing and thoroughly delicious. Whether you are hosting a party or simply treating yourself on a warm afternoon, this drink is an outstanding choice. Pour a glass, sit back and let a little of Burkina Faso’s particular flair carry you away.
