Water kefir — dairy-free fizzy probiotic soda
4
Units:
Prep: 10 min
Sugar water
- 4 cup non-chlorinated water
- ¼ cup white or coconut sugar
Starter
- 3 tbsp active water kefir grains
- 1 lemon slice (optional)
- 1 dried unsulphured fig (optional)
A naturally carbonated, mildly sweet probiotic drink made from sugar water and water kefir grains. These grains (distinct from milk kefir grains) feed on sugar, producing lactic acid and CO2 — a homemade soda with live cultures.
Instructions
- Dissolve sugar: Stir sugar into water until fully dissolved. Warm water dissolves faster; cool back to room temperature before proceeding.
- Cool: Ensure the sugar water is fully at room temperature — hot liquid kills the grains.
- Add grains: Pour water kefir grains into a clean glass jar and add the sugar water.
- Add minerals (optional): Drop in a slice of lemon and a dried fig for trace minerals that keep grains strong.
- Cover: Secure a breathable cloth over the jar with a rubber band.
- Ferment: Leave at room temperature 24-48 hr. The liquid turns slightly cloudy and loses most of its sweetness.
- Strain: Pour through a plastic or nylon strainer. Return the grains to a fresh sugar-water jar immediately.
- Optional second ferment: Bottle the strained kefir with 1-2 tbsp fruit juice per bottle, seal, and ferment 2 more days for extra fizz.
Tips
- Use plain white sugar, raw sugar, or coconut sugar. Avoid honey — its antimicrobial compounds damage the grains.
- Water kefir grains multiply quickly. Share, compost, or freeze the extras.
- Use only plastic, nylon, wood, or silicone — metal weakens the grains.
- Second-ferment flavors that shine: ginger-lemon, berry, grape, apple.
Created: 3/23/2026, 2:43:47 AM diyfreeorganic
Glass jar (1 qt), plastic or nylon strainer, cloth cover, swing-top bottles for optional second ferment