Water kefir with a twist – Fizzy Orangeade

If you like drinking water kefir, you may like to try giving to it some twist. And what better twist than mixing the water kefir with oranges.

FIZZY ORANGEADE water kefir

Ingredients:

• 6–8 tbsp water kefir grains (tibicos)
• 400 ml orange juice + 400 ml water; or 800 ml cold water
• 4 cubes crystallized stem ginger or
• 6 candied orange peels
• 1 twig of mint

Squeeze orange juice and mix it with an equal amount of water. this is important to avoid turning the liquid into alcohol. Moreover,  you can use orange nectar (either store-bought or homemade) and than you don’t need additional sugar to feed the bacteria. Also, you don’t have to dilute the nectar with water, since it will not ferment into alcohol. If this is the day you have no oranges, plain water will be just fine.

Use a glass jar that is possible to seal airtight. First, you need something sugary to feed the bacteria: candied peels, crystallized stem ginger, sugar, etc. Add mint for freshness. Add water kefir grains, fill with cold water and seal the jar. Leave it on the kitchen counter for 1–2 days, keeping it away from direct sunlight. During this time, shake the container frequently, but do not open it.

When the beverage is fizzy enough, pour it into a glass bottle through a sieve. If you made the beverage with water, than add juice, and seal it right away. Keep it in the refrigerator and serve cold. If you made the beverage with juice, than sieve it and seal it right away. Rinse the water kefir grains under cold running water to remove fruit and other remains. The grains are now good for another fermentation process. And remember, The fizzy nature of your drink is in relation to activity of the bacteria,  as well as the sugar content and fermentation time.

Warning: You should use a high-quality pressure resistant glass jar to avoid cracking and breakage.

Recipe is created by Mrs Urška Fartelj for Kefirko recipe booklet.

Get your Kefirko kefir fermenter here.