At the beginning of 19th century, the Britons of Corfu cooled their hot afternoons drinking ginger-root beer("gingibira" in Greek), a beverage, which, despite its name, had nothing to do with beer or alcohol.

Lemon juice and dried ginger roots are the basic substances of this spicy, refreshing drink with a peppery taste. The English word "ginger" comes from the plant’s Greek name zingiberis, which ended up in the English vocabulary through Latin and French.

The ginger root is quite popular in several cultures. In Chinese herbal medicine, it is believed to have antipyretic and digestive qualities. According to Indians the ginger root triggers passion."Gingibira" is still produced on the island of Corfu as a beverage and it is best served chilled, ten days after its production, to obtain a mature taste.

Greek Mediterranean Gastronomy: Food, Life and Travel in Corfu