Fermented Drink Recipes

Fermented drinks such as beet kvass, kombucha, water kefir, and real ginger ale are not just fun to drink, they're also loaded with probiotics that keep your gut healthy and your immune system working right. Here's the skinny on what they are, why they're so good for you, and how to make them. Plus there are loads of easy recipes, too.

What are fermented drinks?

Fermented drinks are typically made from fruit juices, herbal infusions, soaked grains, as well as green and black tea that have been allowed to culture or ferment for a period of time. As a result, these drinks are generally a good source of beneficial bacteria and yeast.

Do they contain alcohol?

Brewers ferment some drinks, like wine and beer, specifically for their alcohol content. And others brew ferment drinks, like wild sodas and kvass, for their probiotics.

Accordingly, lightly fermented drinks, such as kvass, contain only negligible amounts of alcohol. Most fermented drinks contain less than 1% alcohol by volume and are typically closer to .5%. In other words, that's about the same amount that you'll find in orange juice.

Sugar Content

In order to ferment properly, cultured beverages and tonics need a caloric sweetener like sugar, honey, or fruit juice. Sugars feed the beneficial microorganisms that are responsible for fermentation. And, without them, your drink won't ferment properly.

As a result, many probiotic drinks still contain a fairly notable amount of sugar.

Are they good for you?

Lightly fermented drinks are an excellent source of beneficial bacteria and yeast that help to support digestive system health. Moreover, each different drink will offer slightly different benefits.

And that's because their benefits depend upon the bacteria and yeast used to culture them. Accordingly, the more diverse the bacteria in the starter culture, the more microbiologically rich the drink will be, and the greater benefit you're likely to obtain from drinking it.

Fermented drinks are functional foods. That is, they're foods that convey more benefits than providing nutrition alone.

That's primarily because they contain beneficial bacteria. Further, many of them contain fruits, vegetables, herbs, and teas which are also high in antioxidants and phytonutrients. In combination, those probiotics and micronutrients can offer some serious nutrition.

Starter Cultures and SCOBYs

If you're just getting started with fermentation, there are a few things you should know. Primarily, most fermented drinks rely on a starter or a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast), while others use wild fermentation. These recipes include kombucha, jun, and water kefir.

These starters inoculate your sweetened herbal infusion, fruit juice, or other substrates with specific bacteria and yeasts that help them to culture safely and effectively.

Wild-Fermented Sodas and Tonics

While many fermented drinks depend upon a SCOBY or starter culture to ferment properly, others use wild fermentation. To clarify, they ferment using only the wild bacteria and yeasts that populate your kitchen.

Common wild-fermented drinks include tepache or fruit kvass. Brewers also often make beet kvass as a wild-ferment.

Fermented Drink Recipes

Ready to get started? For fermentation newcomers, it's best to tackle low-investment, simple fermented drinks. So instead of rushing out to buy expensive continuous brew equipment or mother cultures, consider making a simple wild-fermented drink or whey soda.