How to Make Sparkling Water Kefir at Home (Gut-Friendly & Delicious)

Marie de Burbure
Sep 9
2 min read

Updated: Sep 10

A refreshing, probiotic-rich recipe for better digestion & natural energy

Water kefir has become one of my favorite daily rituals. It’s light, naturally sparkling, and packed with probiotics that support your gut health. Here’s my simple recipe that you can make at home in just 24 hours! Download the full recipe here!

Ingredients (2L batch):

• 2 liters filtered water (chlorine-free)

• 1⁄2 cup organic sugar

• 3 dried organic mango slices

• 2 dried organic apricots

• 1 organic lemon (juice + peel)

• 3–4 tbsp water kefir grains

Equipment Needed:

• Large airtight glass container (minimum 2L)

• Plastic/wooden spoon

• Strainer (non-metal)

• Swing-top bottles for storage

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Dissolve the 1⁄2 cup sugar into the filtered water.

2. Place the kefir grains into your container.

3. Add dried mango, dried apricots, lemon juice, and lemon peel.

4. Close the container so it’s airtight (this helps with natural carbonation).

5. Leave it at room temperature (20–25°C) for 24 hours.

6. After 24h, strain the kefir into bottles (swing-top bottles are perfect).

7. Store in the fridge and enjoy cold.

8. Rinse your kefir grains gently with filtered water and reuse them for the next batch.

Tips & Variations:

• Always use organic fruit & lemon, pesticides or wax can harm the grains.

• Use filtered water only, chlorine can kill the grains.

• The longer it sits, the fizzier it gets, but 24h keeps it refreshing and not too sour.

• Try a second fermentation with berries, ginger, or herbs for fun flavors.

Where to Buy or Acquire Water Kefir Grains in belgium

Specialized fermentation shops

There are local shops that focus on fermentation and healthy living. Some of them sell starter kits with everything you need: kefir grains, a glass jar, and sometimes even a strainer. This is the easiest way to begin if you want a ready-made package to get going right away.

Online fermentation stores

If you prefer ordering from home, there are reliable European webshops that ship kefir grains straight to your door. They usually come dehydrated or fresh, with clear instructions on how to activate and care for them.

Community sharing

One of the beautiful things about kefir is that the grains grow and multiply. That means anyone who makes water kefir at home often ends up with too many grains, and they’re usually happy to share! You can often find people giving them away in Facebook groups, local wellness or zero-waste communities, or even by asking in your local organic store. It’s a lovely way to connect with others who enjoy fermentation.

A little tip:

Once you have your grains and start brewing, you’ll see them grow too. In a few weeks, you might already have extra grains to pass on to a friend, keeping the cycle going. That’s part of the charm of fermentation, it’s something you share.