How to Make Water Kefir at Home
A fizzy, dairy-free probiotic drink made by fermenting sugar water with water kefir grains. Light, tangy, and easy to flavor any way you like.
Yield: 1 Serving
Materials
- 4 tbsp tbsp active water kefir grains
- 4 cups cups filtered water chlorine-free
- 4 tablespoons tbsp cane sugar
Instructions
- Dissolve sugar in water: Dissolve 4 tablespoons tbsp cane sugar completely into 4 cups cups filtered water (chlorine-free). Let it cool to room temperature if you used warm water to help it dissolve.
- Add the grains: Add 4 tablespoons tbsp active water kefir grains to the sugar water in a clean glass jar. Cover loosely with a breathable lid.
- Ferment 24-48 hours: Let the jar sit at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, for 24 to 48 hours, until the liquid tastes tangy and less sweet.
- Strain and bottle: Strain out the grains using a plastic or nylon strainer. Transfer the finished water kefir to a bottle or jar.
- Chill or flavor, restart grains: Refrigerate the finished water kefir, or bottle it with a splash of fruit juice for a fizzy second ferment. Place the strained grains in fresh sugar water to start your next batch.
Notes
Avoid chlorinated tap water and metal utensils, both of which can weaken the grains over time. For a fizzy second ferment, bottle the strained kefir with a splash of fruit juice and seal for 1-2 more days at room temperature before refrigerating.