Step 1

Heat 1 cup of water until warm but not boiling.

Step 2

Remove from the heat and add 1/2 cup brown sugar to the warm water. Stir until completely dissolved and let cool completely.

Step 3

Add 3 cups cool filtered water to the sugar water mixture and stir to combine.

Step 4

Put 1/4 cup water kefir grains into a half-gallon jar.

Step 5

Pour the sugar water into the jar with the water kefir grains.

Step 6

Cover loosely with a cloth (secure with a rubber band or use a coffee filter secured with a rubber band).

Step 7

Let sit on the counter top (or another warm place in the kitchen—between 68° —85°) to ferment for 24-48 hours. The length of time it takes to ferment depends on the temperature of your kitchen. If it's cooler, it will take longer, and if it's warmer it will happen faster.

Step 8

After 1-2 days, strain the kefir using a fine mesh strainer or a double layer of cheesecloth. Now it's ready to drink and enjoy!

Step 9

When kefir has finished culturing, make a new batch of sugar water and combine with the kefir grains left in the jar, following steps 1-8 above.

Step 10

Optional Step for Fizzy Water Kefir Soda: Now you can add flavorings or do a second ferment to make it extra fizzy.

Step 11

For a second ferment, add finished water kefir to flip-top brewing bottles, leaving plenty of head space at the top. Add 1/4 cup of juice to the water kefir in the bottle for added flavor (grape, apple, berry are a few examples of juice flavors you can use). Let the water kefir set out on the counter top in the flip-top bottles for a second ferment. This can take anywhere from 1-3 days. How long depends on the temperature of your kitchen. Be careful when you open the bottles after this second ferment, as the water kefir soda can get very bubbly and even explode! Try to open the bottles very slowly, away from your body. Enjoy!