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Home » Ferment » Fermented Soda » Naturally Fermented Turmeric Soda

Naturally Fermented Turmeric Soda

May contain affiliate links or sponsored content. Please see my privacy policy and affiliate disclosure.

Originally published on September 26, 2022. Last updated on September 27, 2022

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Turmeric soda fermenting and a glass of turmeric soda with an orange slice, with a middle banner that reads fermented turmeric soda.

Naturally fermented turmeric soda is a delicious way to enjoy the health benefits of turmeric. Turmeric soda is an easy natural soda recipe made using a ginger bug. It’s vibrant, healthy, fizzy, and has an amazing taste!

A flip top bottle of fermented turmeric soda with a top banner that reads fermented turmeric soda.

Fermenting Turmeric for Soda

You might remember a while back I made a turmeric bug, which is basically a “starter” for making fermented sodas.

The turmeric bug started bubbling away very quickly, within only a few days, which was really exciting.

That means it’s time to make a naturally fermented turmeric soda!

This is similar to how one would make a traditional ginger beer using a ginger bug, but with turmeric root instead.

Fermenting turmeric bug with cheesecloth on top.

How to Make Fermented Turmeric Soda

The first step in making this recipe is to get a turmeric bug going. Once you have at least ½  cup or more of bubbling turmeric bug starter, then you can proceed with this recipe.

The ginger and peppercorns are optional, but recommended ingredients. I think the ginger gives it a little bit more flavor, and the peppercorns increase the bioavailability of the turmeric.

I think that one cup of sugar is perfect in this recipe, but you may want to add a little more if you like things on the sweeter side.

Sliced turmeric, ginger, and other ingredients in small bowls.

Make the Turmeric Soda Base

Bring the turmeric root, ginger, and peppercorns to a boil in about two quarts (8 cups) of filtered water.

Simmer for at least 30 minutes to make a strong turmeric tea.

Turmeric and spices boiling in a pot.

Let it cool a bit, then strain out the spices.

Straining the spices out of the soda from the pan, pouring into a glass jar.

Put the turmeric tea into a wide-mouth gallon glass jar (make sure it’s not too hot so the glass doesn’t break), add the sugar, and stir to dissolve.

Fill up the jar with cold filtered water, leaving several inches of head space.

Once the mixture has completely come down to room temperature, add the turmeric bug.

Turmeric bug being poured into a gallon glass jar to combine with the turmeric soda.

Stir the turmeric bug into the turmeric soda until combined.

A wooden spoon stirring the turmeric bug into the jar with the soda.

If you want to keep your turmeric bug going, leave a few tablespoons out and continue feeding it as described in my post on how to make a turmeric bug.

Cover the jar with cheesecloth or a clean towel secured with a rubber band.

A gallon size jar of turmeric soda with cheesecloth on top.

Ferment the Turmeric Soda

Put the jar in a dark and quiet corner of your kitchen. Check on it daily and give it a good stir. It should start bubbling within the first day or two.

Since it was fairly cold in my kitchen, I let the soda ferment for about 3-4 days. In warmer temps, it may only take a day or two.

Turmeric soda bubbling in a gallon jar.

Bottle the Turmeric Soda

Once you are ready to bottle the turmeric soda, first strain out the pieces of turmeric that were from the bug.

Turmeric soda being poured into a glass jar through a mesh strainer.

Then use a funnel to transfer the soda into flip top bottles. Let the bottles sit at room temperature for a few days to a few weeks to build up carbonation.

Turmeric soda pouring into a flip top bottle through a funnel.

Again, if it is warm out it will only take a few days to build up carbonation, and if it’s cold it may take a week or two.

Be sure to check the pressure by opening a bottle every couple of days to make sure that they aren’t building up too much to cause bottle breakage!

Refrigerate once the fermented turmeric soda is to your liking.

A bottle of turmeric soda.

My soda has been sitting in the bottles for about a week, and some carbonation has built up.

I tend to like mine really fizzy though, so I’m going to let them sit for a few more days before I refrigerate them.

Turmeric soda in a small glass with turmeric root sitting next to it.

This fermented turmeric soda turned out absolutely delicious! I love the turmeric flavor, it’s interesting and different, but quite good.

It’s so nice to have a healthy and homemade alternative to regular store-bought sodas, with the added benefit of anti-inflammatory turmeric.

A glass of turmeric soda garnished with an orange slice.

Have you ever made a naturally fermented soda? What is your favorite flavor?


Naturally Fermented Soda Recipes

Here are some more naturally fermented soda recipes for you to try.

  • Strawberry Rhubarb Soda
  • Fermented Root Beer
  • Fermented Elderberry Soda
  • Elderberry Soda
  • Sweet Potato Kvass
  • Kefir Soda
  • Winter Herb Kvass

 

Fermented turmeric soda in a glass.
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5 from 7 votes

Fermented Turmeric Soda

Naturally fermented turmeric soda is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy the health benefits of turmeric. Turmeric soda is an easy natural soda recipe made using a ginger bug. It's vibrant, healthy, and tastes delicious! 
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Fermentation Time 3 days
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 101kcal
Author Colleen @ Grow Forage Cook Ferment

Equipment

  • Medium Pot
  • Fine Mesh Sieve
  • One Gallon Glass Wide Mouth Jar
  • Cheesecloth
  • Rubber Band
  • Small Funnel
  • Flip Top Bottles

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric
  • 6" piece fresh turmeric peeled and sliced
  • 1" piece fresh ginger peeled and sliced (optional)
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns (optional)
  • 14-16 cups filtered water divided
  • 1 cup sugar or more to taste
  • 1/2 cup turmeric bug

Instructions

  • Place the turmeric root, ginger, and peppercorns in a medium pot along with 8 cups of filtered water. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, then cool slightly (just until it's not hot enough to crack a glass jar). Strain the turmeric tea into a wide mouth gallon jar. 
  • Add the sugar to the turmeric tea and stir to dissolve. 
  • Add additional filtered water to the jar, leaving 2-3" inches of headspace. Cool to room temperature. 
  • Add the turmeric bug to the cooled turmeric tea, then stir well. Cover the jar with cheesecloth secured with a rubber band. 
  • Place the jar in a dark corner. Stir once a day. It should start bubbling within a day or two. Ferment to taste, anywhere from 1-2 days in a warmer spot to 3-4 days in a cooler location. 
  • When you're ready to bottle, strain the soda to filter out the pieces from the turmeric bug. Use a funnel to transfer the soda into flip top bottles. Set the bottles aside at room temperature for a few days to a few weeks to build up carbonation. Refrigerate once fermented to your preference. 

Notes

Turmeric soda will last a few months in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 16ounces | Calories: 101kcal
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Georgia Denby says

    March 15, 2019 at 3:26 am

    5 stars
    Am I meant to put the whole bug into the second lot or just the juice from it?

    Reply
    • Stefan says

      May 1, 2019 at 1:10 am

      Not the author but I do tumeric soda and ginger ale a lot. I usually put in the whole bug, let it sit for a while filter it out again before bottling. I then use some of the solids and some of the liquid to start a new bug.

      Reply
  2. Sandro Marques says

    February 2, 2019 at 11:42 am

    Hi guys,

    Love the article and I have a question? How many time I can keep in the fridge?
    Thank you very much

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      February 24, 2019 at 1:33 pm

      The turmeric sodas will last for a few months in the fridge!

      Reply
  3. Mary says

    January 5, 2019 at 6:35 am

    For those of us who do not eat any processed sugar or processed sugar products, can Erithrytol be substituted for the sugar?

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      January 5, 2019 at 12:00 pm

      Hi Mary, unfortunately in order to ferment some kind of real sugar needs to be used. Honey may work as a substitute if you’d like to try that. One thing to consider is that there is minimal sugar left in the final product because most of it is “eaten” by the beneficial bacteria during fermentation.

      Reply
  4. James says

    September 1, 2018 at 4:15 pm

    What do you do with the left over turmeric and ginger from the tea making process?

    Reply
  5. Aliyanna says

    February 9, 2018 at 1:05 pm

    I was wondering how half ginger and half turmeric would work? For flavor and economy….in my area…turmeric is a terrible price.. Also does this work with most recipes for ginger bug? See a lot of those around.

    TIA

    Reply
    • Laurie Nathan says

      November 23, 2019 at 10:36 am

      I have a ginger bug and sometimes add turmeric instead of ginger. I’ve never (yet) had any problem doing this.

      Reply
  6. Mackenzie says

    October 8, 2017 at 6:36 am

    Good morning!
    Having great luck so far, except I went camping and didn’t stir my soda once in the three days it sat with the cheese cloth…just stired really good but this was the first time in the three days. No bubbles or anything. Will it be fine if I let it sit a couple more days, Or should I bottle it up now? Been loving your web site! Thanks

    Reply
  7. Angela says

    September 25, 2017 at 7:57 pm

    Hi there..I’m type 1 diabetic,but …very interested in all you share with turmeric bugs..and making into soda….does the sugar break down in fermentation,where it becomes less,or is it full blown sugar ?

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      January 29, 2018 at 4:10 pm

      The sugar does get reduced, but I can’t say for sure how much less.

      Reply
  8. Christine says

    September 5, 2017 at 8:07 am

    Can green tea be used in making turmeric soda

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      September 11, 2017 at 12:35 pm

      I think it probably could, just make sure it’s room temperature before adding the turmeric bug.

      Reply
  9. Stormy Stevenson says

    August 13, 2017 at 8:49 pm

    This looks amazing. I have a bunch of fresh tumeric I wasn’t sure how I was going to use. I think this may be it. So excited to try it!

    Reply
  10. Sondra says

    June 16, 2017 at 10:50 am

    I love this drink, but can’t seem to get it to fizz. Also, I have gotten a mold on the bug, so will be discarding it into my compost. I have used my faucet filtered water and tried spring water, but neither have produced any carbonation. I have been using organic cane sugar. What do you think is the problem?

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      June 22, 2017 at 11:12 am

      I’m not sure, was the turmeric bug active at all before making the soda? It sounds like maybe it wasn’t if it has developed mold, so that may be the issue.

      Reply
  11. Billy says

    June 7, 2017 at 3:33 pm

    This must be one of the most stomach-friendly drinks in the world! I know turmeric is known to help with stomach issues, but then add in probiotics and I can’t even imagine what it could do for me! The end product looks almost like orange juice! Thank you for sharing your recipe!

    Reply
    • Christiine says

      February 3, 2018 at 5:23 pm

      When you say, add probiotics, how do you do this and is there a particular probotic you have to use? Thank you Chris

      Reply
  12. Emily says

    May 29, 2017 at 10:09 am

    Hi GFCF! I was wondering if I could add lemon juice to the drink? At what step should I add it? I make a turmeric lemonade that tastes awesome. It would be great to add some probiotics to it, too. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      May 29, 2017 at 9:31 pm

      Yes, I think that would be awesome! I would try adding a little at the same time you add the turmeric bug. It might be something you need to experiment with a bit as far as how much to add.

      Reply
  13. DIllon says

    May 20, 2017 at 7:56 pm

    Thank you for this post! I noticed someone else’s comment mentioning mold on top. Is it possible that thew bacteria in the lacto-fermented drink prevent that mold from spreading any further, or does it not work like that?

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      May 29, 2017 at 3:49 pm

      No, if there is any fuzzy mold at all it should definitely not be consumed.

      Reply
  14. Deb land says

    May 11, 2017 at 3:41 pm

    Do you have to worry about cross fermentation like with kombucha and jun. I have vessels spread out all over my kitchen now that have to be like 5 ft away from each other. Just finished my turmeric bug and started the gallon vessel for the 1st ferment of the soda and trying to find a place for it lol

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      May 15, 2017 at 8:58 am

      I don’t think that’s anything to worry about.

      Reply
  15. Ryan D says

    April 17, 2017 at 11:19 am

    This sounds amazing! I am curious about fermentation: As I am a recovering alcoholic, I want to know if the fermentation process creates a noticeable amount of alcohol….that is I want to avoid the mood altering effects that alcohol produces.

    Reply
  16. Marlene Clark says

    March 22, 2017 at 7:01 am

    Thank you for this recipe. Looking forward to your other ideas.

    Reply
  17. Kayla says

    March 21, 2017 at 7:42 pm

    Hey, I recently made a ginger bug and then used it to make ginger beer (following your turmeric soda recipe) and I just noticed there’s mold on the top of the liquid.. where did I go wrong? Do I have to throw out the whole batch and start anew, or do you think I can strain off the mold and be ok? (Kinda like cutting mold off of cheese)

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      March 24, 2017 at 9:32 pm

      I would throw it out and start over… it’s not like cutting mold off cheese in this case, unfortunately. I’m not sure why the mold occurred, but that is something that happens from time to time when fermenting.

      Reply
  18. Christine says

    March 21, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    Any ideas on what fruit would go well in the tumeric soda?

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      March 24, 2017 at 9:34 pm

      I personally like it as is, or with some ginger thrown in. Maybe some berries would be nice, though?

      Reply
  19. Camille Farias says

    March 21, 2017 at 5:31 am

    I’ve been making lacto fermented soda for a while now. My favorites are fruit juices (apple, grape, cranberry, etc.) Such a fantastic and probiotic rich alternative to gross commercial sodas.

    Reply
  20. Andrea says

    February 27, 2017 at 12:42 am

    I want to marry you Colleen. OK just a sister wife maybe. Seriously though I use neem and turmeric for healing properties. Does the soda taste like Turmeric or can you do Half Ginger Half Turmeric? I am attempting the ginger bug brew tomorrow. I binged on you blog and now have Mead going as well. What an amazing resource!

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      March 1, 2017 at 8:18 am

      Haha, thank you! Yes, you can definitely do half turmeric half ginger, that would be delicious! I happen to love the taste of straight turmeric, but if you don’t this is a good way to compromise :)

      Reply
  21. Claudette Steeves says

    February 4, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    Colleen, does the turmeric bug eat the sugar in the soda?

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      February 4, 2017 at 3:42 pm

      Hi Claudette, yes it will eat some of the sugar in the soda, but I can’t say how much. There is probably a small amount of sugar left in the end.

      Reply
  22. Jacqualine says

    February 2, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    Hi, what will happen if I put a pinch of yeast in the bottom of the bottle when I bottle.??

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      February 2, 2017 at 8:26 pm

      I wouldn’t recommend doing that. It would cause more fermentation to happen and that will most likely explode your bottles. If you want to add yeast you need to have an airlock or some way for the carbon dioxide to escape.

      Reply
      • Barm says

        March 15, 2017 at 4:45 pm

        There is already yeast in the bottles. That is what is in your turmeric bug causing the soda to ferment. There is no reason to add any more.

  23. therearebetterways says

    January 30, 2017 at 10:38 am

    Thanks for this.

    When looking into tips for water kefir, I’ve read that since honey is antimicrobial, it’s not a good substitute. On the otherhand, mead is a fermented honey beverage.

    Also, the microbes consume the glucose, not the fructose, which means you drink the fructose. I was making my water kefir with coconut suger which has more glucose & less fructose & the result wasn’t sweet at all. It was pretty much vinegar. So I tried with table sugar & it was too sweet. I haven’t made any since, but it’s my plan in the future to use half coconut & have cane or whatever.

    Reply
    • Sandra says

      February 27, 2017 at 7:00 pm

      This is in response to THEREAREBETTERWAYS. I’ve been making water kefir for a long time using half organic coconut palm sugar and half organic cane sugar. It’s been delicious but I noticed the grains Were getting smaller in size. I just recently read that there arent enough nutrients in the coconut sugar to keep the grains healthy so I’ve changed to all cane sugar and will be adding a little molasses in the next batch.
      I can’t wait to try this turmeric and ginger bug for soda. I love my kombucha, water and milk kefir but there’s always room for another experiment!
      What a great blog…thank you!

      Reply
  24. BrewDoc says

    January 22, 2017 at 12:35 pm

    Won’t there be some alcohol as an end result of fermentation? Sounds like Turmeric Beer to me!

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      January 22, 2017 at 2:53 pm

      There will be a small amount of alcohol, yes. Doesn’t seem to be a whole lot, though. If more sugar was added and a longer fermentation time was allowed, you would probably have some turmeric beer on your hands :) Sounds tasty to me!

      Reply
  25. Francesca says

    January 14, 2017 at 7:19 pm

    Hi, I made the turmeric bug when you first posted, but as no soda instructions came through fast enough – it fermented in <3 days – I went ahead and made a secondary fermentation of my Jun tea, using the bug, with a dash of a ginger cordial. It was also ready fast and tasted delicious, thanks :)

    Reply
  26. Linda Griffin says

    January 14, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    Could you replace the sugar with splenda or other sweetner?

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      January 14, 2017 at 5:19 pm

      No, unfortunately there needs to be some kind of real sugar in order to feed the bacteria that do the fermenting. Honey would most likely work instead. One thing to consider is that most of the sugar is “eaten” by the bacteria, so there really isn’t much left in the end product, just like in kombucha.

      Reply
  27. multikulinaria says

    January 14, 2017 at 5:59 am

    Cool idea to turn turmeric into soda. Since I never buy sodas and once in a while get bored by solely drinking tab water, this sounds like a great alternative. Will try!

    Reply
  28. Tammy says

    January 14, 2017 at 1:19 am

    Do you think honey would be OK instead of sugar? We don’t use sugar.

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      January 14, 2017 at 10:07 am

      Yes, you could definitely try honey instead of sugar for the soda. I’m not sure what the results will be as I’ve never tried it, but honey will readily ferment.

      Reply
      • Sylvia says

        March 21, 2017 at 7:08 am

        I would hesitate to use honey as it is antibiotic. I don’t k ow if it might kill off the beneficial microbes that you are trying to cultivate.

      • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

        March 24, 2017 at 9:38 pm

        Yes, honey is antibacterial and antimicrobial, but it is also full of wild yeasts and will readily ferment on it’s own :)

      • Vicki Wellspring says

        April 5, 2017 at 9:53 pm

        when you use honey instead of sugar in your bug it’s called a “jun.”

      • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

        April 11, 2017 at 8:43 am

        Actually, that’s not exactly true. Jun is a culture similar to kombucha, and it has its own SCOBY. Using honey instead of sugar in a ginger or turmeric bug does not make it jun. You can see my post on making jun here: https://www.growforagecookferment.com/how-to-brew-jun-kombucha/

      • Deb land says

        May 11, 2017 at 2:25 pm

        I use honey in my Jun kombucha without any trouble

  29. Robin Jozovich says

    January 11, 2017 at 6:45 am

    These photos look really good, Colleen! Isn’t turmeric good for arthritis?

    Reply
    • Alejandra says

      March 16, 2017 at 9:36 am

      Really is!!!! I drinking for almost a year and help me a lot!!!!! I’m really recommend try the natural turmeric root.

      Reply
  30. FeathersInTheWoods (@la_murano) says

    January 11, 2017 at 6:20 am

    I take Turmeric daily but never knew you could make it into soda! I’m definitely trying this. (do you think I can use mason jars until I get bottles?)
    Lisa

    Reply
    • Renee says

      March 2, 2017 at 3:09 pm

      I don’t have bottles, either. I used Mason jars when I made Ginger Beer. I still “burped” the jars (I did it every day…I am afraid of exploding jars). Mine turned out great! Still ordering bottles this week, though.

      Reply
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