Homemade Water Kefir Recipe (Healthy Soda Alternative!)

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This homemade Water Kefir recipe is made with just three simple ingredients. Water kefir and other fermented probiotic beverages are all the rage right now, and I am 100% on board! It can be a fun little hobby with amazing health benefits. Read on to learn how to make this tangy, fizzy drink that is chock full of probiotics and other nutrients.

Water Kefir vs Milk Kefir

Making water kefir is much easier than I ever thought it could be. You might be familiar with milk kefir. The fermentation process is basically the same, except instead of lactose in milk, the beneficial bacteria uses sugar dissolved in water to create a delightful probiotic beverage.

Milk kefir grains cannot be used to make water kefir, and vice versa. While milk kefir has a lot more probiotics and health benefits, homemade water kefir as a wonderfully healthy alternative to soda.

Water Kefir Recipe ingredients

To make this homemade kefir recipe, you’ll need:

Water kefir grains
Sugar
Filtered water
Optional ingredients: fruit juice, diced fruit, or ginger

Where to Purchase Grains

I purchased my grains from Cultures For Health. They come freeze-dried and require several days of rehydration to activate them. I also recently found the grains at a local Orange County Kombucha bar called Fermentation Farm. If you’re on the lookout for kefir grains (water or milk), check local health food store bulletin boards, Craigslist, and through social media. I find people are more than happy to share. There are even Facebook groups where members share cultures and information about fermenting kefir, kombucha, vinegar, and other probiotic beverages.

What Kind of Sugar to Use

The kind of sugar and water used matter a lot. The culture readily consumes plain old white sugar, but requires more minerals to maintains the health of the kefir grains.

Raw sugars such as evaporated cane juice, turbinado, jaggery, or sucanat are recommended. If I use white granulated sugar, I make sure it’s cane sugar, preferably organic.

Honey has its own enzymes and other things that may interfere with the fermentation process, so it’s best to stick with sugar. Maple syrup and coconut sugar, or other natural sugars, might be okay, but always let the grains rest and rejuvenate in plain sugar water occasionally or they might stop working or die off.

I do know of people who have successfully used honey, maple, or coconut sugar effectively, but if you’re a beginner, start with sugar.

What Kind of Water to Use

It’s important to use filtered waterto make this water kefir recipe.If the filter removes minerals, like reverse osmosis, they will need to be added back in. There are several ways to do that, but only choose one to add back in:

¼ teaspoon of molasses
¼ teaspoon baking soda
a pinch of sea salt
mineral drops

Tap water often contains chlorine, fluoride, and even lingering pesticides, all of which can harm the kefir grains. I have a reverse osmosis filter in my kitchen, which works fine, but I do add a pinch of sea salt in with the sugar and water for the added minerals.

How to Make Water Kefir

Here are the basic steps to mastering this water kefir recipe:

Warm 1 cup of filtered water, then dissolve sugar in it.
Transfer the mixture to a jar, then add in the kefir grains and remaining water.
Set aside to ferment.
Once fermented, strain out the water kefir grains to make another batch.

How Long Do I Let it Ferment?

Fermentation time varies a little, but typically 24 hours is sufficient for the first fermentation; maybe 48 hours if the room temperature is on the cooler side. It’s important to keep feeding those grains, so anything beyond 1-2 days may actually injure them. I know people who ferment for longer, but add a little sugar each day to keep the grains active.

I did leave some to ferment for 5 days as an experiment and the grains recovered, but I wouldn’t let that become a habit.

How To Do A Second Fermentation

A second fermentation is optional, but will result in a fizzy “soda” that is utterly delightful. The second fermentation is done without the kefir grains. They are filtered out and a new batch immediately started.

For the second fermentation, fruit or fruit juice, herbs, or spices can be used to flavor it. I usually use about ¼ cup of 100% juice for every 1 quart of fermented water kefir.

The second fermentation is also 24-48 hours, but can be even longer depending on how fizzy you like it. The longer it ferments, the fizzier it will become. We’ve even had some pop and bubble over like champagne. (My kids love that trick!)

How to Store

Whatever you do, keep the jar covered with a cloth or paper filter to prevent fruit flies, ants, or other unwanted pests. Fruit flies are the biggest concern. They love the sweet, fermented liquid and will quickly take residence in an open jar. Cheesecloth is not recommended because the weave isn’t tight enough. I use pieces of flour sack towels and a rubber band.

How to Store Water Kefir Grains

Once you get going on the water kefir, it can seem a bit overwhelming. The grains will grow and reproduce. To halt the fermentation process for a short amount of time (less than a month), the grains can be refrigerated in the sugar water solution. Change the sugar water every so often, but the grains should be just fine.

For longer storage, it’s recommended that the grains be dehydrated. Freezing is not recommended.

How Long Does it Last in the Refrigerator?

You can drink the fermented kefir water right away or store it in the refrigerator. Ours never lasts longer than 1-2 days because we are always drinking it, but it should last 2-4 weeks.

Do be careful and “burp” the bottles so they don’t explode. I have only had that happen once because I forgot to stick the bottle in the fridge at bedtime and we woke up to a GIANT mess.

What Does it Taste Like?

The water kefir should have a nice, yeasty or yogurt-y kind of smell to it. If it smells sulfury or “off” it’s best to toss it out and start with fresh sugar water. It’s very rare for mold to grow on the kefir. There might be strands of yeast, however, which is totally normal.

Tips for Making Water Kefir

The process of making homemade kefir is as easy as can be. Once it gets going you’ll have a new batch of water kefir every other day or so. I like to do a second fermentation, which results in a bubbly “soda,” but that’s an optional step. It’s perfectly fine to drink after the first fermentation.

If adding fruit juice to your water kefir for a second fermentation, read the ingredients list to make sure you’re using 100% fruit juice.

Note that you must wash and sterilize whatever jar you’ll be storing your homemade kefir in. It’s very important that you take the time to do this, otherwise your kefir might not ferment properly.

More Healthy Drink Recipes:

Fresh Pressed Rainbow Juice
Carrot and Orange Power Smoothie
Anti-Inflammatory Mango Smoothie
Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie
Almond Date Smoothie