Most Refreshing Summer Drink Ever

So, I'm sitting here drinking the most refreshing summer drink, ever.

Water Kefir! (Also known as homemade fruit soda.)

This batch is lemon/mint. Yums.

Here's the recipe:

1/2 cup turbinado sugar
12 raisins or so
1/4 lemon or if you're lazy, some lemon juice
1/8 tsp baking soda or so
A few sprigs of fresh homegrown mint (from my neighbor!)
1/2 cup water kefir grains (email me if you want some)


Dissolve the sugar in a cup of hot water. Add 3 cups cold water and the rest of the ingredients. Add 1/2 cup water kefir grains. (Water can be warm but not hot.) Cover with cloth and set in a warm place for 1-3 days. (I used to do 3 days but with the warmer weather, the grains are growing & fermenting all over the place. I like the drink after 2 days.)

Strain the kefir - you can reuse the grains - this time for 2 batches. My friends like to keep the kefir bottled tightly at room temp for another day to get it really bubbly. Then stick it in the fridge. Drink within a week or two.