Water Kefir Recipe
Equipment
- 1-quart glass jar
- Plastic or wooden spoon
- Cheesecloth or coffee filter
- Rubber band
- Fine mesh strainer (preferably plastic)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A clean bottle (for storing kefir)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup water kefir grains
- ¼ cup organic cane sugar
- 4 cups filtered water
- 1 small piece of lemon (optional)
- 1 dried fruits like figs or raisins (optional)
- Fresh fruits, herbs, or juices (for flavoring, optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Dissolve the Sugar
- In the glass jar, add ¼ cup of organic cane sugar to 4 cups of filtered water.Stir until the sugar completely dissolves.
Step 2: Add the Water Kefir Grains
- Add ¼ cup of water kefir grains to the sugar water.Optionally, add a small piece of lemon and 1-2 dried fruits for added flavor and minerals.
Step 3: Cover and Ferment
- Cover the jar with cheesecloth or a coffee filter and secure it with a rubber band.Let the jar sit at room temperature (68-85°F) for 24-48 hours. The fermentation process will depend on the room temperature. Warmer environments will ferment faster.
Step 4: Strain the Kefir
- After 24-48 hours, taste your water kefir. If it’s slightly tangy with a hint of sweetness, it's ready.Strain the liquid into a clean glass bottle using a fine mesh strainer, reserving the water kefir grains for your next batch.
Step 5: Second Fermentation (Optional)
- If you want a flavored or fizzy water kefir, add fruit, juice, or herbs to the strained kefir.Seal the bottle tightly and let it sit for another 24 hours at room temperature.After 24 hours, refrigerate the kefir. Once chilled, your water kefir is ready to enjoy!
Step 6: Store the Kefir Grains
- Place the strained water kefir grains in a fresh batch of sugar water to start a new batch, or store them in a jar with sugar water in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Enjoy your refreshing, non-alcoholic water kefir! You can experiment with different fruits and flavors during the second fermentation to create your favorite combinations.