Juniper Berry and Lemon Water Kefir
Juniper berry and lemon may be one of my favourite combinations for water kefir. It is earthy, tart, and hydrating. To make it yourself, learn from this easy-to-follow guide which will show you how to combine the distinct flavours of juniper berries with the bright zest of lemon to create a deliciously fizzy fermented drink. Perfect for anyone looking to add a probiotic-rich beverage to their diet, this water kefir variation is sure to delight your taste buds and boost your gut health.
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I’ve fallen in love with water kefir for its gentle effervescence, subtle sweetness, hydrating qualities, and rich probiotic content. It’s also incredibly versatile, allowing for endless flavour combinations. Inspired by the local abundance of juniper berries, which impart a distinct earthy and citrusy flavour, I’ve crafted this unique juniper berry and lemon water kefir recipe.
While lemons aren’t local to my area, their unmatched flavour makes them a worthy addition. Combined, these ingredients create a perfectly balanced drink with a delightful fermented tang and refreshing bubbles.
What is Water Kefir?
Water kefir is a fermented, probiotic-rich beverage made by adding water kefir grains to sugar water. These grains are a combination of bacteria and yeast that ferment the sugars, creating a lightly carbonated, slightly tangy drink packed with beneficial probiotics. Water kefir can be flavoured with fruits, herbs, and spices after fermentation, offering a refreshing, customizable, and gut-healthy alternative to sugary sodas.
To make this recipe, you’ll need to know how to make water kefir. Making a quart of unflavoured, fermented water kefir is the first phase of the process and you can learn how to do that here. Flavouring is the second phase of the process and that is what this recipe is for.
Health Benefits of Water Kefir
Water kefir is a fermented beverage that uses a small amount of sugar, natural yeast and bacteria, water and whatever flavouring you desire. It has everything you need to satisfy a soda sweet tooth, hydrate properly, and support gut health.
Probiotics
This fermented beverage is packed with probiotics that improve gut health. Regular consumption can aid digestion, alleviate digestive discomfort, boost the immune system, and support a healthy gut flora balance.
Low Sugar vs. No Sugar – Sweetened Beverages
Water kefir has a natural effervescence that makes it a refreshing, low-sugar, soda alternative. Switching from soda to water kefir would reduce sugar intake which is something that almost everyone would benefit from. If you drink diet or artificially sweetened soda, water kefir is still a better option even though it contains some sugar and calories. Learn more here about why drinking an artificially sweetened beverage is worse than drinking a low-sugar beverage.
Versatility
One of its most appealing and unique features is its versatility; it can be flavoured with various fruits or herbs, making the world your oyster. Whether enjoyed plain or infused with flavours, water kefir provides a tasty way to incorporate medicinal herbs or fruits into your diet. That is one of my favourite things about it!
Water kefir is also my favourite way of incorporating red raspberry leaves into my diet to support female hormone health. Learn how to make it red raspberry leaf and ginger water kefir here.
Health Benefits of Juniper Berry
Juniper berries have numerous health benefits, thanks to their rich content of antioxidants and essential oils. Known for their anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, juniper berries can also aid in digestion and help to relieve bloating and heartburn.
They also possess diuretic properties, which promote kidney function and improve urinary tract health. Additionally, juniper berries have been used in traditional medicine to treat rheumatism and arthritis, and recent studies suggest they may help regulate blood sugar levels.
What You’ll Need
A clean quart jar with a lid: I used a classic quart mason jar with plastic lid.
Pop top bottle or second quart mason jar: This is optional if you want to strain out your fruit before storing and enjoying.
Funnel with a filter: One of those things you didn’t know you needed. Get one here. You can also use a regular funnel with cheesecloth.
Unflavoured, fermented water kefir: This recipe is for the second phase of making water kefir which is fermenting the flavouring. This means you’ll need to make the unflavoured, fermented water kefir before proceeding. Learn how to make it here.
Lemon slices: You’ll need 2-3 lemon slices. You can use fresh or dehydrated. Learn how to dehydrate lemon slices here.
Juniper Berries: About a tablespoon of wild harvested or store bought whole juniper berries.
Water: Clean drinking water is what you always want.
How To Make Rhubarb Lemon Water Kefir
Prepare the Jar: Start with a clean, empty jar. Add lemon slices and juniper berries.
Extract the Flavour: Pour one cup of hot water over the lemon and juniper berries to help extract their juices. Let the mixture steep for 1-3 minutes.
Cool the Mixture: Add one cup of cold water to the jar to cool the mixture down.
Combine with Water Kefir: Take your jar of unflavoured, fermented water kefir and pour two cups into the flavoured water. Stir gently.
Start the Second Ferment: Place a lid on the jar and leave it at room temperature to ferment for 1-2 days. This stage is known as the “second ferment.”
Check and Strain: After 1-2 days, the water kefir should be bubbly. You’ll want to strain out the berries as they can be woody.
Strain: Grab a second clean quart jar. Place a funnel with a filter on the opening and pour the fermented water kefir through it, capturing the berries and lemons and leaving just the flavoured kefir.
Store and Enjoy: Place a lid on the strained kefir and store it in the fridge. For the best flavour, consume within 3-5 days.
Juniper Berry & Lemon Water Kefir
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Water Kefir fermented, unflavoured
- 1 Tbsp Juniper Berries
- 2-3 Slices of Lemon
- 1 cup Hot Water
- 1 cup Cold Water
Instructions
- Prepare the Jar: Start with a clean, empty jar. Add berries and lemon.
- Extract the Flavour: Pour one cup of hot water over the juniper berries and lemons, muddle to help extract the flavours. Let the mixture steep for 1-3 minutes.
- Cool the Mixture: Add one cup of cold water to the jar to cool the mixture down.
- Combine with Water Kefir: Take your jar of unflavoured, fermented water kefir and pour two cups into the flavoured water. Stir gently.
- Start the Second Ferment: Place a lid on the jar and leave it at room temperature to ferment for 1-2 days. This stage is known as the “second ferment.”
- Check and Strain: After 1-2 days, the water kefir should be bubbly. Next, you'll strain out the berries and lemons.
- Strain: Grab a second clean quart jar. Place a funnel with a filter on the opening and pour the fermented water kefir through it, capturing the juniper berries and lemons and leaving just the flavoured kefir.
- Store and Enjoy: Place a lid on the strained kefir and store it in the fridge. For the best flavour, consume within 3-5 days.
Watch The Magic Happen
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