Name: Water Kefir Soda
Yield: About 1 quart
Ingredients: *First Ferment:**; 1 quart filtered water; 1/4 cup sugar (white, raw cane, or coconut sugar); 2-3 tablespoons water kefir grains; *Second Ferment (Flavoring):**; 1/4 cup fruit juice, fruit pieces, or flavored simple syrup (see variations below)

The most versatile fermented soda. Make the base, then flavor it however you want. This is the template for endless variations.

Ingredients

*First Ferment:**
1 quart filtered water
1/4 cup sugar (white, raw cane, or coconut sugar)
2-3 tablespoons water kefir grains
*Second Ferment (Flavoring):**
1/4 cup fruit juice, fruit pieces, or flavored simple syrup (see variations below)

Method

**First ferment**: Dissolve the sugar in warm water, let cool to room temperature, and add the water kefir grains. Cover loosely with a cloth and ferment for 24-48 hours. The water should taste slightly tangy and less sweet than when you started.
Strain out the grains (start a new batch immediately or store grains in sugar water in the fridge).
**Second ferment**: Add your chosen flavoring to the strained water kefir. Pour into swing-top bottles, leaving 1-2 inches of headspace. Seal tightly.
Leave at room temperature for 24-48 hours to build carbonation.
Refrigerate and enjoy cold.
*Flavor variations:**
**Berry Blast**: 1/4 cup mashed mixed berries
**Tropical**: 1/4 cup pineapple-mango juice
**Grape**: 1/4 cup grape juice (makes a fizzy grape soda)
**Lemon-Ginger**: Juice of 1 lemon + 1 tablespoon grated ginger
**Vanilla Cream**: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract + 1 tablespoon sugar
**Apple Cinnamon**: 1/4 cup apple juice + 1 cinnamon stick
**Root Beer**: 1 teaspoon sassafras extract + 1 teaspoon vanilla