Guide for Infusing Water Kefir with Flavorful Twists
Ready to give that plain water kefir a pop of flavor? Here are some delightful ideas on concocting extraordinary homemade water kefir second ferment flavors!
Water kefir starts with water kefir grains combined with sugar water, usually enriched with a fig or lemon juice. Within 24 to 48 hours, sugar water transforms into a refreshing, bacteria-rich fizzy drink!
But why bother with flavoring water kefir? While plain kefir is already bursting with benefits, the fig-lemon combo offers a popular taste that many enjoy consuming as is. However, you can easily elevate the taste by experimenting with various flavors based on your inspiration and ingredient availability.
This guide will reveal the secrets to mastering water kefir flavors!
Jump to the section that catches your interest:
- Timing Your Flavor Reinforcements
- Fruit Juice Flavors
- Fruit Flavors
- Syrup Flavors
- Tea Flavors
- Herbs, Spices, & Extracts
- Essential Oils
- Inspiring Water Kefir Flavor Ideas
- Get to Work!
Timing Your Flavor Reinforcements
Before learning how to flavor water kefir, it's essential to know when to do so. For optimal results, flavor your water kefir immediately after separating the grains from the beverage, that is, before the second fermentation (F2).
The ingredients you use to add flavor can potentially contaminate and weaken the grains. Only dried fruit (rinsed and free of additives) and citrus fruits (without peel or as juice) can come into contact with the grains.
However, once the grains have been removed, homemade kefir can be flavored in numerous ways! To maintain the effervescence, keep the ingredients to a maximum of 20% (for 1 liter kefir, no more than 200 ml of fruit, juice, or other ingredients).
Also, be careful of gas production during F2. If you include a sugar source (juice, fruit, syrup), be cautious as excessive pressure can build up in the bottle and potentially lead to an explosion! Always use pressure-resistant bottles, and exercise caution while opening them.
Fruit Juice Flavors
For an intensified flavor, fruit juices are ideal! Add between 60 to 200 ml (1/3 to 3/4 cup) of your preferred juice per liter of kefir.
Remember, fruit juices harbor sugars that yeast adore. Keep an eye on your bottles, as the pressure can increase rapidly.
Our favorite juices for flavoring 1 bottle (750 ml) of kefir:
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) grapefruit juice
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) coconut water
- 45 ml (3 tbsp.) lime juice
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) orange juice
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) cranberry juice
You can also ferment fruit juice with your water kefir grains! This method works great for apple juice and other juices like grape, strawberry, pear, kiwi, tomato, or pomegranate.
Just ensure you set aside some grains, in case your grains get weakened or damaged from this type of feed.
Fruit Flavors
Experiment with an array of fruits to flavor your kefir. Fruits can be fresh, frozen, dried, whole, or pureed, and cut or crushed for optimal taste. Choose ripe fruit and remove any damaged parts.
A smaller fruit size results in more surface area in contact with your kefir, allowing flavor transmission to happen faster. For best results, cut or crush your fruit, so it doesn't clog the neck of the bottle when you're ready to serve...
Beware that fruit skin harbors yeast, particularly during secondary fermentation where increased bottle pressure can occur.
Our favorite fruits to flavor 1 bottle (750 ml) of kefir:
- 5-10 crushed cherries
- 4-5 strawberries and a few small pieces of cucumber
- 1 prickly pear
- 1/2 peach in pieces
- A small handful of crushed blueberries
Syrup Flavors
Syrups are perfect for a quick water kefir flavor boost! These flavor concentrates should be added in small quantities.
Use commercial syrup, homemade shrub or even raw syrup. Add the syrup (or shrub) directly to your bottle or glass, as desired!
Our favorite syrups for flavoring 1 bottle (750 ml) of kefir:
- 15-30 ml (1-2 tbsp.) grenadine syrup
- 15-30 ml (1-2 tbsp.) elderberry syrup
- 15-30 ml (1-2 tbsp.) raw strawberry syrup
- 15-30 ml (1-2 tbsp.) blueberry shrub
- 15-30 ml (1-2 tbsp.) cherry shrub
Tea Flavors
Herbal teas and flavored teas make excellent additions to water kefir, providing subtle flavors to your drink.
To flavor your kefir, add between 10 to 20% of your favorite tea or herbal tea. For example, for 1 liter of kefir, add between 100 ml and 200 ml of infusion.
Since your tea or herbal tea kefir will be diluted, make it 2 to 4 times more concentrated than usual to achieve a full flavor. Allow it to cool to room temperature before adding it.
Our favorite teas or herbal teas to flavor 1 bottle (750 ml) of kefir:
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) mint tea
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) chamomile and lavender infusion
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) of your favorite tea or herbal tea!
To ensure proper effervescence, feel free to add 1/2 tbsp. of sugar, maple syrup, or molasses when flavoring.
Herbs, Spices, & Extracts
Nature is full of flavor! Explore flavoring your kefir with your favorite flowers, plants, and spices.
For the simplest technique with these types of ingredients, use cold maceration (infusion). Simply immerse your ingredients into the kefir and allow to rest for 24 hours in a cool place, then filter and bottle. This technique is perfect for flowers (lilac, lavender, butterfly pea flower) and ground or finely chopped spices (cinnamon, clove, ginger powder, etc.).
Use decoction for woody, tough ingredients whose flavors are harder to extract, such as root beer and chaga.
👉 To learn more, peruse our article on Flavoring Fermented Beverages With Wild Plants from Canada.
Our favorite flowers and spices for flavoring 1 bottle (750 ml) of kefir:
- 1 tsp. chai spices
- 1/2 tsp. powdered ginger and turmeric or 1 tbsp. fresh chopped ginger and turmeric.
- 30 ml (2 tbsp.) root beer mix in 250 ml (1 cup) water (see Root Beer Water Kefir Recipe)
- 4 g (2 tbsp.) chaga in 250 ml (1 cup) water as a decoction
- 2 g dried butterfly pea flowers
- 2 g dried lavender flowers
- 4 g fresh lilac flowers
Essential Oils
Essential oils are not suitable for flavoring kefir. As they are not soluble in kefir, ingesting them can have undesirable effects on both your body and the kefir microorganisms. If you still wish to use essential oils, make sure they are food-grade and safe for internal consumption and that you are aware of their effects when consumed internally.
Combining Flavors
Don't hesitate to explore surprising flavor combinations! Here are some of our favorite water kefir recipe ideas:
- Grapefruit juice and butterfly pea flower
- Root beer and vanilla (or sweet clover)
- Apple juice and cinnamon
- Lime and mint
- Coconut water and pineapple
- Pears and star anise
- Prickly pear and fresh coriander
- Coconut milk and vanilla
- Ginger, turmeric and orange juice
Water kefir is simple to tailor to your personal tastes, offering endless opportunities for experimentation! Make a run to your fridge, and you're sure to stumble upon countless water kefir flavor inspiration ideas!
Get the Tools!
Here are some suggested items to get you started on flavoring your water kefir:
Get Started!
- Purchase Water Kefir Grains
- Complete Water Kefir Guide
- Choosing Your Water Kefir Equipment
- Is My Water Kefir Grain Sick? FAQ
- All our Water Kefir Recipes
- Water Kefir Risks: What You Should Know
- To bring a touch of sophistication to your water kefir, consider infusing it with some premium 'health-and-wellness' ingredients from the kitchen. For instance, you can try adding turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties, or cinnamon for its blood sugar-regulating benefits.
- Experiment with fusion of flavors from different culinary domains, such as combining 'lifestyle' elements like butterfly pea flower with 'food-and-drink' options like grapefruit juice, or 'cooking' staples like star anise with 'food-and-drink' essentials like pears.
