Strawberry Kiwi Soda
Another lacto-fermented soda for ya'll to try. This one is very light tasting, not nearly as bold as the blueberry version. It tastes delicious on a hot summer day when you need a really thirst quenching drink. In case you forgot, lacto-fermented sodas are extremely wonderful for hydrating the body. :)
Gut Healthy Strawberry Kiwi Soda
Ingredients
4 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
4-6 kiwi fruit
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups active ginger bug (learn more here)
1 gallon filtered water
Directions:
1. Peel and dice the kiwi fruit and strawberries.
2. In a large pot bring half of the water (2 quarts), sugar and strawberries to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
3. Add in the kiwi fruit and reduce the heat to a simmer.
4. Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes. I stir mine occasionally to squish the fruit up which helps extract all the flavor.
5. Meanwhile pour the other half of the water (2 quarts) into a large glass pitcher.
6. Remove the berry mixture from the heat and pour it all into the pitcher along with the water.
7. Cover with a cloth and allow this to cool to room temperature.
8. Once cool, stir in the ginger bug.
9. Cover the pitcher back up and allow this to sit on your counter for 1-3 days, remembering to stir several times a day. The time will vary depending on the temperature of your room and the strength of your ginger bug.
10. Once it becomes nice and bubbly it is ready to bottle.
11. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain off the pulp.
12. Pour the soda into bottles of your choice, remembering to leave a little head space. About one inch is sufficient.
13. Now you will let the bottles sit on the counter for another day or so to build up the carbonation for some nice fizz.
**Watch this carefully, however! If you let it sit too long you could have an explosion. If this makes you leery, then here is my suggestion:
When first starting out, use pint sized mason jars with the metal lids and rings. Every so often, check the “bubble” on top of the lid by pushing it down. If it gives under pressure, then your soda is not ready. Once the lid becomes firm and does not give anymore the soda has become carbonated.
14. Once they are carbonated, immediately place the bottles of soda in the refrigerator and drink to your health!
Additional Notes:
Using 4 kiwi fruit gives a very subtle kiwi flavor. Try using 6 for a little more kiwi flavor.