How to Make Water Kefir at Home: A Refreshing Gut-Friendly Fermented Drink

Water kefir is a delicious, lightly fizzy probiotic drink that you can easily make at home. It's a natural way to support your gut health with beneficial microbes—plus it's dairy-free, caffeine-free, and wonderfully refreshing.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how to make water kefir step-by-step using the Water Kefir Starter from The Ferment Company, explain how to reuse your kefir for future batches, and share the amazing health benefits of this fermented drink. I’ll also mention other gut-friendly fermented drinks like kombucha, kvass, and coconut water kefir for variety and inspiration.

🌿 What Is Water Kefir?

Water kefir is a traditional fermented drink made from water, sugar, and live cultures of bacteria and yeasts. It’s similar to kombucha in the sense that it’s naturally carbonated and probiotic-rich, but milder in flavour and typically caffeine-free. Perfect for daily gut support!

🥄 How to Make Water Kefir (First Time Using a Starter)

I used the Water Kefir Starter from The Ferment Company (available to purchase in Tallinn at Ökosahver) to make my first batch. Each starter pack contains 3 sachets of 5g, which is enough to ferment up to 27 litres of water kefir.

Here’s the exact method I followed, based on their instructions:

🧉 Ingredients:

1 litre of room-temperature, filtered water
2 tablespoons of raw cane sugar
1 sachet of Water Kefir Starter (from The Ferment Company)
2 dried organic figs
A clean large preserving jar or glass jar

📝 Instructions:

Pour the water into the jar, leaving some space at the top (the volume will expand slightly during fermentation).
Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
Add 1 sachet of the starter and gently stir until the powder dissolves.
Add 2 dried organic figs.
Close the jar with a lid or cover with a coffee filter secured with a rubber band. I used the coffee filter
Let it sit at room temperature (20–22°C) for 24–48 hours.

⏳ After 24–48 hours, your kefir is ready! The figs usually float to the top when the fermentation is complete. Taste it to see if it suits your preference—24 hours will give you a milder and sweeter taste, while 48 hours results in a sharper, more fermented flavour.

💡 TIP: If your room is warm, fermentation can finish faster—check after 12 hours. Always open the jar carefully, as natural carbonation may cause some fizzing or foaming.

🧊 Storage & Serving:

Pour the ready water kefir into a clean bottle or jar.
Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Drink about 150 ml per day to support your gut microbiome.
Save 200 ml of the finished kefir to use as a starter for your next batch!

🔁 How to Make Water Kefir Again (Using the Previous Batch)

Once you’ve made your first successful batch, it’s easy to keep the cycle going!

📝 Repeat Instructions:

Dissolve 2 tablespoons of sugar in 1 litre of room-temperature water in a preserving jar or glass jar.
Add 200 ml of the previous water kefir (best if it hasn’t been refrigerated for more than 2 days).
Stir gently.
Add 2 dried organic figs.
Cover and let it ferment at room temperature for 24–48 hours.
When it tastes good to you, store it in the fridge and save another 200 ml for the next batch!

🌟 Health Benefits of Water Kefir

Water kefir is full of live probiotic bacteria, which can help:

Balance the gut microbiome
Support digestion and reduce bloating
Boost immune function
Improve nutrient absorption
Enhance skin and mood via the gut-brain axis

It’s also naturally rich in enzymes, B-vitamins, and organic acids, and it’s a gentle alternative to kombucha for those sensitive to caffeine or acidity.

🥥 Other Fermented Drinks to Try

If you love fermented drinks and want to mix things up, try these probiotic-rich options:

Coconut Water Kefir – Slightly sweet and rich in electrolytes; great post-workout or in warm weather.
Kvass – A traditional Eastern European drink made from fermented bread or beets; earthy and mineral-rich.
Kombucha – A tangy, bubbly tea-based drink full of antioxidants and natural acids.

Each has its own taste, benefits, and unique microbes!

✨ Final Thoughts

Making water kefir at home is easy, rewarding, and a fantastic way to boost your gut health naturally. Once you get into the rhythm, it becomes part of your wellness routine—just like brushing your teeth or brewing tea.

Start simple, taste along the way, and enjoy the gentle fizz of a drink that loves your microbiome!