Apple & Grape Kefir Soda: An Autumn Fermentation Recipe

Make the most of autumn’s harvest with homemade apple and grape kefir soda. A little sweet, a little tangy and naturally fizzy, this seasonal brew is a brilliant way to use up apples and grapes while experimenting with your own fermented drinks at home.

Why make apple and grape kefir soda?

Water kefir is made by fermenting sugar water with live water kefir grains. Once your grains are active, you can flavour your brew with all sorts of fruit juices and cordials during the second fermentation.

Apple and grape are a natural pairing for autumn. Apples bring a fresh, crisp flavour, while grapes add sweetness and depth. Best of all, you can adjust the blend to suit whatever fruit you have available.

Ingredients

First fermentation: Grow your culture

• 60g fresh water kefir grains
• 600ml spring water
• 3 tbsp cane sugar
• ¼ unwaxed lemon 
• 1 dried fig
• Second fermentation: Apple & grape flavour

Second fermentation: Apple & grape flavour

• 600ml strained water kefir from your first fermentation
• 30ml fresh apple juice
• 30ml fresh grape juice

Instructions

First fermentation

1. Prepare sugar water by mixing 600ml of spring water with 3 tbsp of cane sugar until dissolved.
   You can gently heat to dissolve fully.
2. Add the fresh grains to a clean jar and pour in the sugar water. Make sure it’s cooled to room
   temperature.
3. Add the 1⁄4 lemon and the dried fig to the jar for nutrients.
4. Cover and leave the jar, away from direct sunlight at room temperature for 48hrs.
5. Once ready, the mixture should have a slight fermented smell. Avoid letting it become too sour.

Second fermentation

1. Strain the grains, keeping the sugar water. Use a funnel to transfer the sugar water into a plastic
   bottle with a screw cap.
2. Add 60ml of your Apple & Grape juice to the bottle. You can adjust these measurements to your taste.
3. Secure the cap tightly and leave at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, for 48 hours.
4. Release pressure from the bottle twice a day.
   
5. Taste test your kefir until you achieve your desired level of fizz and sweetness.
6. Once ready, store in the fridge for up to two weeks. Use the strained grains to repeat the first fermentation process to keep the cycle going.

Ready to start brewing?

Fancy making your own naturally fizzy drinks?

Our Fizzy Buoys Water Kefir Starter Kit gives you the essentials to get started at home, grow your own live culture and experiment with seasonal flavours like apple and grape.

🌿 Shop the Starter Kit