Water kefir is not only easy to make, it is a healthy, delicious, probiotic-rich, dairy-free drink that is good for the whole family.
Initially my Mom started making water kefir when she stopped consuming dairy products. None of us wanted anything to do with her milk or goat milk kefir projects, but water kefir is a different story, it tastes like soda pop! Even my five year old daughter enjoys it. Mom has had her little water kefir factory going for just over a year now and her grains grew enough that she was able to split them and give some to a friend of mine. A month ago my parents left town and I took over the production so before they left I got a lesson on taking care of the kefir grains, which I lovingly refer to as Mom’s Sea Monkeys.
Equipment You Need:
2 glass containers that hold about 5 cups
a nylon mesh strainer (not metal as it will harm the grains)
4 flip-top bottles (we use Grolsch beer bottles)
a glass measuring cup
a thermometer
Water Kefir
- ¼ to ⅓ cup organic white sugar
- 4 cups filtered water
- 2 tbsp hydrated kefir grains
- ¼ tsp molasses (or Concentrace Minerals)
- 1½ cups frozen mixed berries (or whatever you want to flavor it with)
- Heat 1 cup of water and stir in sugar and molasses until it is dissolved.
- Stir in the rest of the water and allow it to return to room temperature (between 75-80 degrees) I’m not a patient person, so I use a little bit of ice to quickly cool it off.
- Add the Kefir grains to the sugar water, cover loosely, I use a paper coffee filter and a rubber band. Set it on a shelf in the pantry and leave it for 48 hours.
- Strain out the grains and add frozen berries or mango. Cover and let sit in the pantry for 48 hours, this time I cover it with plastic wrap and a rubber band.
- Strain out the fruit and pour into flip-top bottles. I usually leave it on the counter for half a day before I refrigerate it and this helps it get fizzy.
In less than a week, you will have water kefir at three stages, including ready to drink! At this point, you only spend 15-20 minutes on your water kefir factory every 2 days.
Really? It tasteS like soda pop? I can’t imagine that but I’m Curious to try it now. This is a clever substitute for dairy. I bet it’s great for digestion also
Wow! It’s really easy! I love the idea of using berries. It must be so flavorful and healthy!
Wow this is so cool. I have never heard of non dairy kefir. I think my kids would like this and I will feel good about them getting the good gut health from it.
Interesting! I’ve never had it before but it does look good and healthy you say? I can’t wait to try it.
This is my first time hearing about kefir. I am not really an expert on this but this one looks like a good way to make use of time while staying at home.
I have heard good things about keifer, but never had it because I try to avoid dairy. I didn’t know you could make it using water. I definitely want to try this!
I drink this every day. I love the mixed berry flavor. We tried peach and it wasn’t strong enough.
Do you repeat the process every day? Or every other day?
I would like to try this, it sounds good.
Hey Christine, We did it every 48 hours or so. You kind of get a feel for it depending on how quickly it ferments in your climate, how bubbly you want it to be etc. Give us a call if you want to chat with my mom about it. She’s the expert.