Easy Flavored Water Kefir Recipe + Benefits

Packed full of gut healthy benefits, this water kefir recipe is a delicious and healthy way to get some added nutrients into your diet! Learn the secrets to making delicious, bubbly water kefir right at home with this easy recipe.

a glass pitcher of flavored water kefir with a small glass jar sitting to the sit full of water kefir

Raise your hand if you love fermented foods! (I recognize I may be in the minority here).

If you were to ask me some of the best (and easiest ways) to start eating healthier, I would automatically recommend adding a variety of fermented foods into your diet. Much like sourdough, water kefir is a fermented drink that has been left to do its thing for a period of a few days, creating a variety of gut healthy benefits in the form of a deliciously bubbly drink.

I have been a huge fan of basically any kind of sparkling water drink (like this sparkling strawberry lemonade) for years. I now consider myself to be somewhat of a connoisseur when it comes to sparkling water, having tried many different brands and flavors. Imagine my excitement, then, when I learned I could make it myself at home in the form of deliciously flavored water kefir. Better yet, it is packed full of gut healthy nutrients.

Sparkling water that is nutrient dense and delicious? Sign me up, baby!

What is Water Kefir?

Water kefir is a type of fermented drink that is packed full of probiotics, making it great for gut health. It is made using water kefir grains, sugar, and water (yes that’s it!) and is left to ferment for a period of 2-3 days. The result is a deliciously flavored, bubbly drink that is packed full of nutrients.

Benefits of Water Kefir


  • BUBBLY: If you are a fan of sparkling water or soda, you will love water kefir!
  • HEALTHY: Packed full of beneficial bacteria, water kefir is a delicious, low sugar drink option that is you can feel good about.
  • INEXPENSIVE: The gift that keeps on giving! Once you acquire water kefir grains, they can be used over and over again to make delicious homemade probiotic soda right at home.

FAQs

I bought mine from Cultures for Health.

Water kefir and kombucha are both fermented drinks that are full of good probiotics. Typically, water kefir contains more probiotics than kombucha.

Water kefir will store well in the fridge for up to two weeks.

No. The good bacteria feeds on all the sugar, making it a very low sugar drink once fermented.

How to Make Flavored Water Kefir

  1. In a small pot, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add in 1/2 cup cane sugar, stirring until completely dissolved. Once the sugar has dissolved, set the mixture aside to cool completely.
  2. Add 1/3 cup of hydrated water kefir grains to a half gallon jar. Fill the jar almost to the top with filtered water, leaving some room to add the cooled sugar water.
  3. Once the sugar water has cooled, add it into the jar with the rest of the water and the water kefir grains.
  4. Place the lid on loosely and allow to ferment for 24 to 48 hours.
  5. Once the water kefir has completed the first fermentation, use a small fine mesh strainer or a thin tea towel to strain the kefir grains from the fermented liquid.
  6. Second Fermentation: Using a flip top bottle, add 1/4 cup grape juice to each bottle.
  7. Fill each bottle the rest of the way with strained water kefir, using a funnel if needed.
  8. Close the flip top lid and allow the water kefir to sit for another 24 hours to complete the second fermentation.
  9. After it has been sitting for 24 hours, pop the lid. There should be a loud “pop” sound when you do this. If not, that’s okay! The soda hasn’t fermented enough. Allow it to sit for another day until ready.
  10. Enjoy!

Make sure the sugar water has COOLED COMPLETELY before adding it to the water kefir grains. Hot water can kill off all the beneficial bacteria.

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Tips for Success

  • Experiment with different flavors! This is part of the fun with water kefir. You can add grape juice, cherry juice, lime… whatever strikes your fancy to create your own flavored soda.
  • When you go to open the bottle, make sure to open it slowly. Water kefir can sometimes be a little explosive 🙂
  • If you buy water kefir grains, you will have to rehydrate them before using. You can follow the manufacturer’s directions for this.
  • Water kefir grains can be stored in water in the fridge until ready to use again.

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Flavored Water Kefir Recipe

a glass pitcher of flavored water kefir with a small glass jar sitting to the sit full of water kefir

Packed full of gut healthy benefits, this water kefir recipe is a delicious and healthy way to get some added nutrients into your diet! Learn the secrets to making delicious, bubbly water kefir right at home with this easy recipe.

Ingredients

  • Hydrated water kefir grains
  • 1/2 cup organic cane sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • Additional water to fill large mason jar (about 7-8 cups)
  • 1/4 cup flavored juice (grape, cherry, etc.)

Instructions

  1. In a small pot, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add in 1/2 cup organic cane sugar, stirring until completely dissolved. Once the sugar has dissolved, set the mixture aside to cool completely.
  2. Add 1/3 cup of hydrated water kefir grains to a half gallon jar. Fill the jar almost to the top with filtered water, leaving some room to add the cooled sugar water.
  3. Once the sugar water has cooled, add it into the jar with the rest of the water and the water kefir grains.
  4. Place the lid on loosely and allow to ferment for 24 to 48 hours.
  5. Once the water kefir has completed the first fermentation, use a small fine mesh strainer or a thin tea towel to strain the kefir grains from the fermented liquid.
  6. Second Fermentation: Using a flip top bottle, add 1/4 cup grape juice to each bottle.
  7. Fill each bottle the rest of the way with strained water kefir, using a funnel if needed.
  8. Close the flip top lid and allow the water kefir to sit for another 24 hours to complete the second fermentation.
  9. After it has been sitting for 24 hours, pop the lid. There should be a loud "pop" sound when you do this. If not, that's okay! The soda hasn't fermented enough. Allow it to sit for another day until ready.
  10. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Experiment with different flavors! This is part of the fun with water kefir. You can add grape juice, cherry juice, lime... whatever strikes your fancy to create your own flavored soda.
  • If you buy water kefir grains, you will have to rehydrate them before using. You can follow the manufacturer's directions for this.
  • Water kefir grains can be stored in water in the fridge until ready to use again.
  • Did you make this recipe?

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    If you liked this flavored water kefir recipe, be sure to come back and and leave a 5 star rating and a review! I would love to know how it turned out for you.

    rachael

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