Water kefir is a simple, probiotic-rich drink that you can easily make at home. It’s a refreshing way to support your gut health, and the best part is, it’s sustainable. By making your own water kefir, you’re cutting down on waste and reducing your carbon footprint, all while enjoying a tasty, health-boosting beverage.
What’s Water Kefir?
Water kefir is a fermented drink made from water, sugar, and kefir grains. These grains are a mix of bacteria and yeast that ferment the sugar, creating a lightly fizzy, slightly sweet drink that’s full of probiotics. Probiotics are the good bacteria that help keep your gut healthy, which is important for digestion, immune function, and overall wellness.
Unlike milk kefir, water kefir is dairy-free, making it a great option for anyone who’s lactose intolerant or following a vegan diet. It’s also easy to flavor with your favorite fruits, herbs, or spices, so you can customize it to your taste.
Why Make Your Own Water Kefir?
Making your own water kefir at home is a sustainable choice. You’re cutting out the need for single-use plastic bottles that store-bought drinks often come in, and you’re reducing the environmental impact that comes with transporting those products to the store. Plus, you’re in control of the ingredients, so you know exactly what’s going into your drink—no unnecessary additives or preservatives.
Another big plus is that making water kefir is cost-effective. Once you have your kefir grains, you can keep using them to make batch after batch, so you’re saving money in the long run.
How to Make Water Kefir at Home
Gather Your Ingredients and Supplies:
1/4 cup water kefir grains
1/4 cup sugar (organic cane sugar works well)
4 cups filtered water
A glass jar
A cloth or coffee filter and rubber band
A strainer
Dissolve the Sugar: Start by dissolving the sugar in a small amount of warm water. Once it’s fully dissolved, add the rest of the water to bring the temperature down. The water should be room temperature, not too hot, as high heat can damage the kefir grains.
Add the Kefir Grains: Place the kefir grains into the glass jar, then pour the sugar water over them.
Cover and Ferment: Cover the jar with a cloth or coffee filter and secure it with a rubber band. This allows the drink to breathe while keeping out dust and bugs. Let it sit at room temperature for 24-48 hours, depending on how strong you want the flavor to be. The longer it ferments, the less sweet and more tangy it will become.
Strain and Enjoy: After fermentation, strain the kefir grains out of the liquid using a strainer. Your water kefir is now ready to drink. You can enjoy it as is or add some fresh fruit or herbs for flavor. If you want it fizzy, let it sit in a sealed bottle for an extra day to carbonate.
Store and Reuse: Store the water kefir in the refrigerator and drink it within a week. Save the kefir grains to start your next batch right away or store them in a little sugar water in the fridge until you’re ready to use them again.
Recipe: Lemon-Ginger Water Kefir
Ingredients:
4 cups prepared water kefir
Juice of 1 lemon
1-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced
Optional: 1-2 tsp honey or agave syrup for extra sweetness
Instructions:
Mix the Flavors: Add the lemon juice and ginger slices to the prepared water kefir. If you like it a little sweeter, stir in some honey or agave syrup.
Carbonate (Optional): Pour the flavored kefir into a sealed bottle and let it sit at room temperature for another 24 hours if you want it fizzy.
Chill and Serve: Once it’s flavored to your liking, refrigerate the kefir. Serve it cold, and enjoy a refreshing, probiotic drink.
For more ways to improve your G.U.T. Health, check out my booklet: HEALING MY GUT: WHY DOES MY TUMMY HURT?
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