Strawberry kefir soda is an easy way to flavor water kefir with a second fermentation process for a fizzy, refreshing probiotic drink!This recipe will make about eight 16oz bottles.
Put the strawberries into a 9x13 dish and sprinkle the sugar and the lemon zest evenly over the strawberries.
Pour the water and the lemon juice over the strawberries and stir everything together.
Cover the mixture and allow the strawberries to thaw at room temperature.
Once thawed, put the strawberry mixture in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
After the strawberries have been marinated, place them and their juices in a blender. Blend until pureed with a smooth consistency. For a small blender, you may have to puree in 2-3 batches.
This mixture can be used right away or stored in jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze any extra puree for later use.
Strawberry Water Kefir 2nd Ferment
Pour the fermented water kefir into swing-top bottles (or any bottle that has a tight-fitting lid) to halfway full, about 1 cup per bottle.
Add the strawberry puree to each bottle, leaving about an inch of headspace at the top of the bottle
Seal the bottles tightly and store them at room temperature out of direct sunlight for about 24 hours.
After 24 hours open a bottle to test for fizziness. This is a quick and active ferment so it likely will be quite fizzy, but if it’s not the bottles can be left to ferment for another 24 hours.
Chill the bottles in the refrigerator before serving.
Notes
A fermented half-gallon batch of water kefir needs to be ready before starting this recipe.
Fresh strawberries can be used instead of frozen.
The ratio of water kefir to strawberry puree in the bottles can be adjusted to your liking. Half and half is a good place to start, but if you want more water kefir and less strawberry puree in each bottle, that works.
This is a very active and quick ferment – be careful when opening the bottles, as they might bubble over!