Making homemade soda is surprisingly fun, easy, and addicting to make at home. Not to mention the fermentation from the water kefir grains provide a whole extra layer of flavor!
EQUIPMENT:
INGREDIENTS:
For activation:
1/4 cup (56g) demerara, brown, or organic cane sugar
1/2 cup (118ml) hot water
3 cups (709ml) room temp filtered (ideally fluoride free) water
For every batch of water kefir:
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp (78g) sugar *same as before*
1 cup (237ml) hot water
5 cups (1.2 liters) room temp filtered water
INSTRUCTIONS:
Method:
To activate your kefir grains; take ¼ cup of demerara/brown sugar, ½ cup of water and add it to a small pan. Bring up to a heat to dissolve and then pour it in a 1 quart sized jar. Cover it with another 3 cups of room temperature water and mix. Add in your kefir grains, making sure the water is no higher than 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cover the top with cheesecloth and tie it down with some butchers twine or a rubber band. Let it sit at room temperature for 3-4 days.
To make kefir, strain the grains out of the liquid and discard the liquid.
Dissolve ½ cup plus 2 teaspoons of sugar and 1 cup of hot water in a glass. Once completely dissolved, pout that into a ½ gallon jar and cover it with another 5 cups of water. Add in your activated kefir grains and cover with your cheesecloth lid. Leave out at room temperature for 24-48 hours.
To flavor and carbonate your kefir, choose your favorite fresh fruits juices/extracts.
Strain out your kefir grains and reserve the liquid. Add in your preferred fruits and sugar, place in a flip top bottle and let it sit out for 1-3 days; burping it every day.
