How to Make Water Kefir from Start to Finish

Subtly sweet, bubbly, and refreshing, water kefir is a delicious way to include probiotics in your diet. It’s incredibly simple to make, and you’ll love creating tons of fun, new flavors!

Anytime I learn about a new fermented food or drink, I want to make it. Whether it’s fermented peppers, beet kvass, or sauerkraut, I’m constantly trying new things.

When I heard about water kefir, I knew I had to make it! I mean, doesn’t a healthy, naturally carbonated “soda” (complete with probiotics) sound amazing?

Now that I’ve been making it for a while now, it’s one of my favorite things. It’s fun to drink, and I love experimenting with new flavors!

Once you try it, you’ll be hooked!

Why You’ll Love Making Water Kefir

Simple recipe – With only a few easy steps, you’ll be a pro in no time.

Kid-friendly – Kids absolutely love drinking it, and you’ll love that they’re getting probiotics.

Subtly sweet, effervescent drink – If you like sparkling drinks or soda, you’ll love water kefir!

Limitless flavors – If you can think of a flavor for water kefir, you can make it!

Affordable – Each batch of water kefir costs pennies to make.

What Does Water Kefir Taste Like?

Water kefir is slightly sweet, slightly tangy, and tastes similar to store-bought sparkling drinks.

For a sweeter version, you can increase the sugar content in the second fermentation and decrease the fermentation time. If you prefer a more tangy drink, decrease the sugar in the second fermentation and increase the time.

Water Kefir vs. Kombucha

Water kefir and kombucha are both probiotic beverages, however, they have a few significant differences.

• Water kefir is made with sugar water and kombucha is made with sweet tea.
• Kombucha has a small amount of caffeine while water kefir does not.
• Kombucha has a stronger flavor and the flavor of water kefir is more mild.
• Water kefir is made every 24-48 hours, but kombucha is brewed every couple of weeks.

Water Kefir Flavor Ideas

There are so many options when it comes to flavoring water kefir during the second fermentation. The main thing is to use a small amount of something that will introduce extra sugar and some flavor.

You can even use a combination of ingredients for a more complex flavor!

• Fruit juice
• Dried, frozen, or fresh fruit
• Fresh or dried herbs and spices
• Flavoring extracts
• Coconut water

If the flavoring of your choice doesn’t contain much sugar, you can add a little bit of sugar or some other natural sweetener to kefir during the second fermentation. I have also found that higher sugar contents create a more bubbly final product.

Feel free to experiment with all kinds of flavors! Since the flavoring is done once the grains have been removed, you can only mess up the current batch. If you don’t like the taste, it’s not a big deal since you’ll have a new batch ready within a few days.

How to Store Water Kefir

Once your water kefir is done fermenting, you can store it in the fridge for approximately two months. As time goes on, it will continue to ferment and taste less sweet and more vinegary.

For the best flavor, I prefer drinking it within a few weeks.

FAQs

Does water kefir contain alcohol? – Just like all fermented foods and drinks, water kefir does contain a small amount of alcohol. However, when it is fresh, it typically contains about the same amount as overripe fruit. When it’s stored for a while, the alcohol content will increase slightly.

What are water kefir grains? – Water kefir grains are not actually grains at all but a type of symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast.

Can I make my own water kefir grains? – No, the grains are a combination of specific microorganisms and polysaccharides that have come together and cannot be made from scratch. However, as you make water kefir, the grains will multiply.

How do I keep the jars from exploding? – The most important thing is to use swing-top glass bottles specifically designed for making carbonated beverages. Also, if you let your 2nd fermentation go for more than a couple of days, it’s best to burp the bottles every day or so to keep the pressure from building too high.

Is there lots of sugar in water kefir? – No, the kefir grains eat the sugar which creates the fermentation process. The longer you let it ferment, the less sugar it will contain.

Can I use milk kefir grains to make water kefir? – No, if you want to make water kefir, you will need water kefir grains. You can buy the ones I use on Amazon.

Tools You May Need

Quart mason jar – For the first ferment.

Cover for the jar and rubber band – You can use anything that will keep dust out but will still let air circulate. I typically use a cloth napkin, but a coffee filter or cheesecloth are both good options as well.

Funnel – For pouring the kefir into the bottles. Make sure it’s plastic, silicone, or stainless steel. A funnel often comes with the swing-top bottles.

Fine mesh strainer – For straining out the water kefir grains to use for your next batch. Use either a stainless steel or plastic strainer.

Swing-top glass bottles – Using these are the best way to carbonate your water kefir and prevent explosions.

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Ingredients for Water Kefir

1st Ferment

Water kefir grains – These are dehydrated and come with instructions for rehydrating them. You may also be able to get some active water kefir grains from a friend.

Sugar – Organic sugar is best to avoid pesticides interfering with the water kefir grains. Also, water kefir ferments best if the sugar has some minerals in it. I like to use sucanat, but cane sugar or raw sugar are good options as well.

Water – Clean well water is often the best choice since it contains minerals that help the water kefir. If well water is unavailable, many people have success using tap water, though it’s best to first filter it.

2nd Ferment

Flavoring – Fruit juice or fresh, dried, or frozen fruit are the most popular options. I used cherry juice for this batch.

How to Make Water Kefir

1st Fermentation

First, combine the sugar and 1/2 cup boiling water in a quart mason jar. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Then pour 3 cups of cold water into the jar. (Since I use sucanat sugar, my sugar water is brown, but yours may be lighter in color depending on the type of sugar you use.)

Next add the water kefir grains. There’s no need to stir them; they will settle at the bottom of the jar.

Cover the jar with a cloth napkin, cheesecloth, or coffee filter secured with a rubber band. Place the jar at room temperature out of direct sunlight for 24-48 hours.

It’s not an exact science, so don’t stress about the exact timing. If it’s colder in your home, let it ferment closer to 48 hours, and if it’s warmer, ferment it closer to 24 hours.

You can also taste test it. If it’s tangy, it’s done, but if it’s still pretty sweet, let it ferment a little longer.

2nd Fermentation

First, pour your flavoring of choice into a swing-top glass bottle. I used cherry juice in these photos.

Next, using a mesh strainer and funnel, strain the water kefir into the glass bottle.

The kefir grains that stay in the strainer will be used to make your next batch. Since they won’t stay healthy if they’re out of sugar water for long, try to start the next batch within 15 minutes.

Seal the bottle with the swing-top lid, and place it at room temperature out of direct sunlight for 1-7 days. The longer you let it sit, the stronger it will get. I typically prefer water kefir that has been fermented around 2 days, and I recommend starting there.

If you let it ferment longer than 2 days, you will need to burp the lid to release pressure every day or so.

Once you are done fermenting it, place it in the fridge to chill and enjoy!

If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments! Tag me on Instagram @violet_rightathome

More Fermented Recipes

Complete Guide to Easy Homemade Yogurt without a Yogurt Maker

Beet Kvass Recipe – Traditional Fermented Drink

Fermented Cranberries in Honey – Best Cranberry Sauce

Simple Fermented Peppers and Onions