How to Make Fermented Strawberry Soda (Video)

Homemade fermented sodas are an easy way to enjoy a fresh, probiotic-rich alternative to commercial soft drinks. This strawberry soda is lightly sweet, tangy, and refreshingly fizzy.

Ingredients

• 6 cups sliced strawberries — yields about 2 cups of juice
• 1/3 cup white cane sugar
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup active ginger bug
• 2 cups chlorine-free water (or filtered water)

Instructions

1. Combine the sliced strawberries, sugar and lemon juice in a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth.
2. Strain the pureed strawberry mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl, pressing to extract as much juice as possible.
3. Add the ginger bug and enough water to the strained juice to bring the total volume to 4 cups. Stir gently to combine.
4. Pour the mixture into a clean quart-size canning jar or similar container and secure the lid. A tight lid will allow carbonation to build, so monitor pressure during fermentation.
5. Store the jar in a warm place out of direct sunlight. Each day, loosen the lid slightly to release some of the carbon dioxide gas that accumulates, then tighten again.
6. After about 2 days begin tasting the soda for carbonation and sweetness. Fermentation time will vary with temperature and the activity of your ginger bug. When it reaches the desired flavor and fizz, chill in the refrigerator to slow fermentation.
7. Serve chilled, at room temperature, or over ice. Refrigerated soda will continue to slowly lose carbonation over time; consume within a few days for best flavor and effervescence.

Notes