Water Kefir Update

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Last time I posted about water kefir, we'd made several unsuccessful batches and one successful batch. That is, drinkable. We had ideas for more. So, now that it's been a few weeks, are you curious how it went?

We have success! The newest batch of kefir is going fast because we both really like it and are drinking 2 - 3 bottles a day. So, let me share with you our new favorite recipe:

Grape Water Kefir (Makes 12 16-oz. bottles)
5 quart mason jars
15 c. water
1.25 c. sugar
5 tbsp. water kefir grains
7.5 c. grape juice (preferably organic)
12 16-oz. glass bottles with tightly sealing top
Plastic spoon
Cheesecloth and rubberbands

In each (clean) mason jar, add 3 c. water and 1/4 c. (white) sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Add 1 tbsp. of kefir grains to each jar. (Use a plastic spoon for all of this.) Cover each jar with a piece of cheesecloth and attach it with a rubberband. Allow the jars to sit 2 days.

Strain the kefir grains through cheesecloth and set aside to reuse. Pour 1.25 c. of the kefir into each glass bottle. Then, add 5 oz. (1/2 c. + 2 tbsp.) grape juice to each bottle. Cap the bottles. Let them sit on the counter 2 - 3 days, until you start to see bubbles developing around the edges. Then, refrigerate them and enjoy! Make sure to point the bottles away from you when opening because they will "pop" pretty nicely!

This version tastes just like grape soda to me, without the artificial aftertaste. Stronger-flavored juices seem to do better than weaker ones. If you're going for a "soda substitute," grape or cherry juices will produce good ones. Other people like to get fancy with their water kefir and add egg shells (honestly, we should probably try that for the calcium), dates, lemon slices, and lots of other things. I found this all confusing and decided to just skip it. The version we have is yummy and easy!

We have a batch of cherry going right now, and I expect that will be yummy too! Soon maybe we'll try cranberry, and you could also try blueberry, pomegranate, or whatever other flavor (or blend of flavors) that you enjoy!

In case you have different sized bottles, the proportion is 2 parts water kefir to 1 part juice.

Have you tried water kefir yet? Do you think it would be a good substitute for your family if you enjoy soda?



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