That's right, not all soda is bad for you! Kefir soda is a favorite beverage in our home! It is a great alternative to store bought soda and I personally think tastes much better. It is fizzy and full of probiotics, minerals and vitamins.
I first learned about kefir soda at our last church; it seemed everyone was making it at home (except for me). Several months ago I decided to take the plunge and try making it myself. After getting the hang of it and seeing how much my family and I love drinking it (and experiencing the health benefits), I decided to share with you! Let's get right to it!
Step 1. Order kefir grains online or get some from a friend if they have extra (the grains multiply). You can order from Amazon or Cultures for Health*. Here is an example here.
*Make sure to get water kefir grains and NOT milk kefir grains. Well, you can if you want of course but that's not what this tutorial is about. We are making water kefir here and not milk kefir (maybe another post) ;)
Step 2. Rehydrate your crystals when they come in the mail by following the directions that they come with. They are ready when they have a texture of gummy bears.
Step 3. Take a clean quart size canning jar and add 4 Tbsps. of a minimally processed sugar.
Step 4. Dissolve sugar with mineral rich water (well water works best but tap and spring water will also work). Be sure to stir with a wooden or plastic spoon but NOT metal as it is reactive and will hurt the living grains. Leave about an inch of space at the top.
Step 5. Add approx. 1/4 cup of plump kefir grains. No need to stir, just let them sink to the bottom.
Step 6. Cover with a breathable cloth or paper towel that will keep the fruit flies out and secure with a rubber band.
Step 7. Set in a dark place where it will be undisturbed for 2 full days at room temp. I put them in my bread box.
Step 8. After 2 days, strain grains out with a plastic or nylon-mesh strainer (again, no metal) into another clean glass quart size jar.
Step 9. Then add fresh or frozen fruit or juice of your choice, leaving 1/2 in. of space at the top. Our favorite is raspberries but ripe mango, fresh pineapple, banana, lemons, etc are good too. (**See note below on what to do with remaining grains at this point)
Step 10. This time, add an air tight lid and set jar in dark area to be undisturbed for 2 more full days. Now it will get fizzy, fruity and delicious! Step 11. Strain, enjoy at room temp or add ice and enjoy. Or go to step 12...
Step 12 (optional). Put in refrigerator for another day as is. Strain and enjoy chilled!
** After step 9, repeat steps 1-10 with the strained grains. And on and on it goes...your grains will continue to multiply and makes lots more yummy kefir soda for you as long as you keep up this process.
If you need to go on vacation or something, allow them to "sleep" in fresh sugar water (as prepared above) in the refrigerator until you return. When you get home, simply put on counter (dark area like above) for a few days while the grains "wake up" and then repeat steps 1-10. Let me know if you have any questions! Let me know how it goes...enjoy!
I first learned about kefir soda at our last church; it seemed everyone was making it at home (except for me). Several months ago I decided to take the plunge and try making it myself. After getting the hang of it and seeing how much my family and I love drinking it (and experiencing the health benefits), I decided to share with you! Let's get right to it!
Step 1. Order kefir grains online or get some from a friend if they have extra (the grains multiply). You can order from Amazon or Cultures for Health*. Here is an example here.
*Make sure to get water kefir grains and NOT milk kefir grains. Well, you can if you want of course but that's not what this tutorial is about. We are making water kefir here and not milk kefir (maybe another post) ;)
Step 2. Rehydrate your crystals when they come in the mail by following the directions that they come with. They are ready when they have a texture of gummy bears.
Step 3. Take a clean quart size canning jar and add 4 Tbsps. of a minimally processed sugar.
Step 4. Dissolve sugar with mineral rich water (well water works best but tap and spring water will also work). Be sure to stir with a wooden or plastic spoon but NOT metal as it is reactive and will hurt the living grains. Leave about an inch of space at the top.
Step 5. Add approx. 1/4 cup of plump kefir grains. No need to stir, just let them sink to the bottom.
Step 6. Cover with a breathable cloth or paper towel that will keep the fruit flies out and secure with a rubber band.
Step 7. Set in a dark place where it will be undisturbed for 2 full days at room temp. I put them in my bread box.
Step 8. After 2 days, strain grains out with a plastic or nylon-mesh strainer (again, no metal) into another clean glass quart size jar.
Step 9. Then add fresh or frozen fruit or juice of your choice, leaving 1/2 in. of space at the top. Our favorite is raspberries but ripe mango, fresh pineapple, banana, lemons, etc are good too. (**See note below on what to do with remaining grains at this point)
Step 10. This time, add an air tight lid and set jar in dark area to be undisturbed for 2 more full days. Now it will get fizzy, fruity and delicious! Step 11. Strain, enjoy at room temp or add ice and enjoy. Or go to step 12...
Step 12 (optional). Put in refrigerator for another day as is. Strain and enjoy chilled!
** After step 9, repeat steps 1-10 with the strained grains. And on and on it goes...your grains will continue to multiply and makes lots more yummy kefir soda for you as long as you keep up this process.
If you need to go on vacation or something, allow them to "sleep" in fresh sugar water (as prepared above) in the refrigerator until you return. When you get home, simply put on counter (dark area like above) for a few days while the grains "wake up" and then repeat steps 1-10. Let me know if you have any questions! Let me know how it goes...enjoy!
