Water kefir is a delicious drink that is full of probiotics and health benefits. Also known as kefir soda, this is an easy recipe made with water kefir grains and minimal ingredients. Mostly, what you need is time, as with most ferments!

Water Kefir Benefits

Water kefir is a fizzy fermented probiotic-rich drink that is easy to make and delicious. It’s a great way to curb your craving for bubbly drinks while getting major health benefits.

This soda also has immune-boosting benefits, is wonderful for gut health, and is helpful for digestion. This version is made without dairy, so it is a good option if you are dairy-free but still want a probiotic boost in your diet.

Kefir soda can be fermented once for some basic bubbly action, as I will show in this recipe. Another option is to do a second ferment to flavor the kefir water however you choose.

Using fruit like strawberries or using herbal tea are both great ways to flavor kefir soda during a second fermentation process. Today, though, we’ll just stick with a basic recipe.

This fermented kefir soda is similar to kombucha since it is a naturally fermented probiotic drink with similar health benefits. But, in my opinion, kefir water is easier to make than kombucha.

About Water Kefir Grains

While not actually grains at all, “water kefir grains” are, in fact, clusters of live bacteria, yeast, and polysaccharides that have a crystal, jelly-like grain appearance.

You might hear water kefir grains called tibicos, Japanese water crystals, or California bees. No matter what you call them, they’ll make a delightfully bubbly kefir soda!

Water kefir grains grow and multiply rapidly. Give the gift that keeps on giving to a friend, or you can simply start multiple batches with several jars if they become overcrowded in one jar.

Just make sure to mark the date on your jars so that you can keep up with the process.

How to Store the Grains

It’s okay to put the grains on pause for a week or two. Here’s how:

1. Soak them in non-chlorinated water to remove stored minerals. They will become pale in color.
2. Strain them with a mesh strainer and gently pat them dry between 2 paper towels.
3. Put the grains in a clean glass jar and cover it with a cheesecloth or paper towel. Secure with a rubber band.
4. Place the jar on the lowest shelf in your refrigerator.

Note: I do not recommend using this method to store your grains any longer than two weeks.

It is always important to give your grains a boost if they have been stored for a while or have been sent by mail.

To do this, add a tablespoon of molasses to the sugar water to enhance the mineral content. The kefir soda does take on the molasses flavor, so that is something to be aware of.

Alternatively, you can simply add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to your sugar water, and that will also give the batch extra minerals.

How to Dehydrate Water Kefir Grains

If you do need to store kefir grains for longer than two weeks, they need to be dehydrated. Follow these steps:

1. First, soak the grains in non-chlorinated water for about 30 minutes.
2. They need to be very pale in color, so after 30 minutes, refresh the water and soak for another 30 minutes.
3. Once they are very light in color, remove them from the water and gently pat them dry between two paper towels.
4. Spread them onto a piece of unbleached parchment paper and place them in a low-humidity area out of direct sunlight.
5. In 2-3 days, your grains will be fully dehydrated. They will be much smaller.
6. Wrap the dehydrated grains in a paper towel and store them in a sealed, moisture-free container for up to one year.

How to Rehydrate or Activate Kefir Grains

To activate dehydrated kefir grains, either go by the instructions on the package or follow this basic process:

1. Heat about 4 cups of water.
2. Add the hot water and 1/4 cup sugar into a jar, and stir to dissolve.
3. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
4. Add the dehydrated water kefir grains into the jar.
5. Cover with cheesecloth secured by a rubber band, and place in a warm corner of your kitchen for 3-4 days.
6. When the grains are ready, they will be plump and translucent. Strain and discard the water, and now you can use the grains!

Water Kefir Recipe

Water kefir grains might be new to some of you, but don’t fret! They’re easy to work with, can be purchased online, and can be reused multiple times. Plus, they grow and multiply!

Ingredients

Water kefir grains: I buy mine from either Cultures for Health or Kombucha Kamp. If you have a friend with healthy growing grains though, ask if they’ll share!

Note: Sometimes, the grains will arrive dehydrated. Follow the directions on the package to rehydrate the grains before proceeding with this recipe.

Sugar: I use organic cane sugar. Remember that the grains will metabolize the sugar during the fermentation process and fuel the bubbles, so it is still considered a low-sugar drink.

Non-chlorinated water: Many city water systems clean their water with chlorine, so it’s important not to use regular tap water if that is the case where you live. Filtered or bottled water is best for fermentation.

How to Make Water Kefir

For this recipe, we will be working with one half-gallon size jar and approximately 1/2 cup of kefir grains. Typically, when working with kefir grains, you want an equal amount of grains to sugar.

Note: If you are working with fewer grains, you can feed them less in a one-to-one ratio and use a smaller jar — until they grow and multiply, which happens quickly!

First, rehydrate the water kefir grains if necessary by following the instructions on the package or the simple instructions above.

Then, fill a half-gallon jar with non-chlorinated water that is room temperature. Be sure to leave enough room at the top to add the sugar and the water kefir grains.

Next, stir in the sugar until it is completely dissolved.

Then, add the kefir grains into the jar.

If you have a previous batch of water kefir, you can also add a couple of ounces or so of water kefir starter. This isn’t required, but it helps the fermentation get going quicker.

Then, cover the jar with a cheesecloth and secure it with a rubber band or string. Don’t forget to note the date on the water kefir jar so that you remember when you fed it.

Now, let the water kefir ferment at room temperature for 12-48 hours.

Once it’s done fermenting, strain out the water kefir grains with a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth. You can reserve the grains and a small amount of liquid to start a new batch.

Store Homemade Kefir Soda

Now, you can refrigerate the fermented water kefir and enjoy it anytime you need a bit of probiotic goodness! This is a great way to make the switch from soda to a healthy, bubbly drink.

Another option after fermentation is to do a second ferment to flavor this delicious, probiotic-rich soda.

More Fermented Drinks

• Pine Needle Soda
• Fermented Root Beer
• Strawberry Rhubarb Soda
• Sweet Potato Kvass
• Fermented Turmeric Soda
• Yarrow, Rose, and Strawberry Soda
• Fermented Elderberry Soda
• 12 Fermented Soda Recipes
• Strawberry Water Kefir Soda