Pomegranate Grape Kefir Soda

Adapted from cultured.guru

First Fermentation:

• 1/4 cup water kefir grains
• 3 tablespoons organic cane sugar
• 1 tablespoon organic maple syrup
• 3 1/2 cups purified water
• Pinch of sea salt

Second Fermentation Ingredients:

• 3 cups water kefir (from first fermentation)
• 1/2 cup organic grape juice
• 1/2 cup organic pomegranate juice

First Fermentation

1. Prepare sugar-water mixture in a quart-sized mason jar by adding the sugar, maple syrup, and sea salt. Pour in 1 cup boiling water. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the remaining water.
2. Pour a drop of the sugar water onto your wrist to make sure the liquid is completely room temperature (too much heat will kill the grains).
3. Add the kefir grains to the sugar-water mixture.
4. Cover jar with a loose fitting llid or cheesecloth secured with a rubber band.
5. Allow kefir grains to ferment the sugar water mixture for 48 hours.
6. Set a strainer over the top of a 1-liter swing-top bottle. Pour the water kefir and grains through the strainer. Set aside the grains while preparing the new batch of sugar water.
7. Repeat step one to make a new batch of the sugar water mixture and add the grains.
8. Proceed to second fermentation steps below.

Second Fermentation (making the soda)

1. Into the 1-liter swing-top bottle now filled with kefir water, add 1/2 cup organic grape juice and 1/2 cup organic pomegranate juice. Leave a small amount of headspace in the bottle as the carbonation that develops will create pressure. 
2. Secure the lid and allow it to ferment at room temperature for 24-48 hours. Taste once or twice a day. As soon as the soda is very carbonated, place in the refrigerator to halt fermentation.
3. Open the bottle with caution and drink within 2-3 days.