How to Make Fizzy Coconut & Water Kefir from Kefir Grains (Probiotic Drink)

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Coconut Kefir & Water Kefir
Water kefir (“keh-fear”) grains - also called sugar kefir, tibicos, tibi, Japanese water crystals - are similar to kefir grains, which are used in dairy milk to make a fermented dairy drink.
In this article I’ll be giving you a recipe for coconut water kefir and water kefir. The first is one you make with coconut water from a young coconut, the second is one you make with filtered water. It's a great healthy drink to replace carbonated sugary drinks.
Kefir Grains
Dairy kefir uses different grains (which are not grains like wheat grains - the word is used as it is in a grain of sand) to water kefir. If you want to make the type of coconut kefir that uses the meat from the coconut too, which results in a white kefir, rather than a translucent kefir, I’ll will be adding a video and recipe for that shortly (I’m writing this in April 2019).
Water kefir grains tend to be translucent, whereas milk kefir grains will be whiter, looking a little bit like cauliflower. Because water kefir grains tend to be used in a variety of liquids, they will sometimes appear different colours, depending on the colour of the liquid. So in the video for fizzy coconut kefir below, I use dark molasses and coconut sugar, which turns them brown. If you use white sugar, they’ll turn white.
No two batches of water kefir drink or grains are exactly the same in their bacterial makeup. This also means that you may find some variance in taste between two batches that you make, even with the same grains.
Like kefir grains, water kefir grains are a mix of bacteria and yeasts, which feed on the sugar in many different sugary liquids to produce lactic acid, very small amounts of ethanol (alcohol), and carbon dioxide, which carbonates the drink on the second stage fermentation, as I show in the video.
The main benefit of this process is that probiotics are produced in the final drink. It’s thought these are beneficial to the human intestines, creating an environment that aids digestion.
Growing Water Kefir Grains
Water kefir grains cannot be grown from scratch; they have to come from a donor. The good news is that you only need a very small amount to start growing them from that first batch. It seems there is an abundance of kefir grains for sale on eBay. You’ll only get very small amounts, but that’s all you need to start them multiplying.
Here are the instructions for growing kefir grains. The grains need a high amount of sugar to feed on.
For making water kefir and growing more grains
6 cups spring water
1/4 cup water kefir grains
1/2 cup coconut sugar or white sugar
1 teaspoon blackstrap molasses (optional)
1/8 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate
- Place all ingredients in a glass jar and cover with a breathable tight mesh material, such as a nut milk bag.
- Allow to stand at room temperature for up to 48 hours.
- Strain the liquid and reserve the grains.
- The resulting water can be drunk as is or added to smoothies for an extra boost of probiotics. You can also add fruit juice for a second stage fermentation (see recipe below).
- You should notice an increase in the volume of the kefir grains that came out, compared to when you started.
- Repeat this process until you have enough grains to keep this process going and also make coconut kefir.
- Young coconut water doesn’t seem to make the kefir grains grow very fast, which I assume is because it doesn’t have much sugar beyond being able to make the coconut water ferment into kefir.
So I like to use the growing kefir grains recipe, then alternate it with the coconut kefir recipe, back and forth each batch. When you team up growing the grains with the recipe on how to make the actual kefir, you should be able to provide your daily kefir requirements on an ongoing basis.

[@scrollfinger]

FYI, cut the bottom half of a 1 gallon plastic distilled water jug; and you have a huge funnel. Then you can pour from large bowls like he uses here, and you won't spill a drop. Is something to actually use them for.

[@adimeter]

I love how you explain your every move. Being a novice, this can look slightly complicated. Thank you so much.

[@therawchef]

Glad you like it :)

[@h.chappelle2720]

I was able to carbonate it in the fridge with using several layers of cheese cloth over the top with a rubber band to secure it, and leave it like that overnight, I did not have to put a full cover and burp it. My second batch came out great--I used a black cherry juice with the Kefir I made, the black cherry juice was from the health food section of a store, that was just black cherry and filtered water. It came out like black cherry fizzy soda--the water Kefir soda definitely tastes much better than regular soda.

[@GOzoRAW]

I’ve watched a lot of videos on how to do my first batch of water kefir (and especially coconut water kefir), and yours is without doubt the best and most clearly explained. Thank you Russell 🙏🏽

[@Sbannmarie298]

Oh cool to hear. Going to make it

[@mariamegrebart]

coconut kefir with pineapple juice would make an awesome pina-colada kefir I'm thinking!

[@farmerdude3578]

Maria Megre put in a little rum and call it a day.

[@TNUni167]

I've made that mix, gf loves it. Has to be with coconut cream.

[@jasminpayes6904]

Life Connoisseur did you add the coconut cream in the second fermentation? And how much did you add?

[@myboozjee]

I make milk kefir a lot but now I'm ready to try the water kefir. These drinks look so delicious and you explained the process very well. Thank you!

[@therawchef]

Yes, absolutely. . .they will work perfectly well.

[@fabijazmine5452]

Thank you so much for this video. I appreciate that your instructions, both in your video and your link, are so clear, helpful and informative. Moreover, it's great you outlined grain replenishment and both the first and second stage and fermentation. Thanks!

[@SuperHipmama]

Thank you! This is my first attempt at fermenting and like you said in your video, I am very nervous dealing with live grains. The whole concept just awes me. Love your video. Thanks again. Can't wait to learn more from you.

[@nathalypablo2683]

This is gold! Thank you so much! You're a good teacher btw. :) Very calming~

[@fiveft12]

10 years later and this is the best water kéfir tutorial I’ve watched. ❤

[@rjvnz]

Best video on making kefir! super informative and detailed. Thanks so much for making this video!

[@carlbibben7475]

this is fantastic. clear and concise. thanks a lot man. subbed

[@therawchef]

Thank you! :)

[@flo9]

I wanted to say the same thing. All other videos I have found don't clearly explain why you're doing things and how to know when it's done etc. It's really cold here so it's taking longer than the usual 48 hours. But now I know what to look out for, thanks!

[@shestudios]

I understand it now. Thank you for this well produced, detailed video.

[@debdeelie8241]

Thank you! This is really helpful!

[@herbalcat]

So much great information and ideas!! Thanks!

[@GaiaPrincipleHealth]

I really like how simple you make this... Thank you for such a good video! I'm starting to launch my new business as a health coach and will share this with all my clients!

[@Book_beans]

This video is brilliant. Very informative, thank you!

[@nathalypablo2683]

I like your style of teaching! Thank you~

[@marianafragelli8102]

Very well explain, clear and organized. Thank you.

[@l.j.landseibert3388]

Thank you! Great ideas for additions, I'm really liking the coconut and orange one.

[@farmerdude3578]

This is the best video on kefir. Adding fruit juices is key. It's a great tasting heathy drink. Something we all need in today. Thanks

[@ProphetiaPortia_]

Thank you. I appreciate your details of principles of foods, nutrients, combinations and utensils.

[@tubassee]

I love the way the Kefir Water made with sugar and molasses tastes! I like to put fresh mint from the garden in it. It bothered my stomach a little at first, but now I drink a big glass of it every night. I'm ready to try the soda recipes. Thanks for the informative video!

[@tin6219]

Very clear explanation.

[@mummaquinn]

Hi! I am new to all this and choose your video as it is the best one I could find. Thank you very much for this. I have followed your instructions and made some fab Kefir! Did each of the recipes in your video and they all worked great! Thank you soooooo much! I am no longer scared of the process and ....love it!! :-)

[@thatgirljo2119]

thank you for such a detailed video. I am new to trying this out and your video helped with understanding to how to aspect. thanks again!

[@frances852]

Thanks. Loved your video. I have been making milk kefir and water kefir using either lemon or limes, but now i know how to make them fizz.Thanks very much.

[@CloudyWishes]

+TheRawChef Very clear instruction, appreciate the time spent on the finer details others often miss when explaining . Thank you

[@therawchef]

:)

[@yazmincolon3129]

I like how you explained all this in details. Blessings.

[@Roxie7676]

Thank you! I came home to day and one exploded when I lifted the lid I thought slowly, I guess it takes some practice. Thank you for getting back to me.

[@thunderstorminmyblood3705]

Amazing video! All the other "how-to" guides out there were confusing but yours was very clear and inspiring! Can't wait to start making my own kefir drinks!

[@therawchef]

Great! Thanks so much for stopping by :)

[@VanLe-ex8hr]

Loved your method, easy to follow. Thanks for sharing

[@JanColdwater]

So excited! I just ordered Kefir Grains!

[@indira.r]

Great clear explanation. Thank you!

[@VeronicaGonzalez-kd5vd]

Great information to detail. I loved all the ideas. Thanks!

[@h.chappelle2720]

Lately, I discovered that using a paper coffee filter that is barrel shaped, and putting that in a sieve and turning that upside down and on top of Water Kefir in a mid-size glass pitcher works better than cheese cloth. The fizz is smoother. I made accidentally a great vodka-grapefruit tasting soda using organic lemons, limes, tangerines, pomegranate powder and ginger, pink salt and aluminum free baking soda, and magnesium powder (with raspberry lime flavors) in the second ferment. In the first ferment, I used organic honey and agave (pasteurized them) and organic sugar with pink salt and aluminum free baking soda, and organic lemons, ginger, garlic, pink salt and fermented for seven days until there was no sweetness left. Water Kefir is amazing. It is just great the different flavors one can obtain. It does not take long to prepare the ingredients. I wash and cut my organic fruit and put them in a freezer to use later in the ferments.

[@Beecozz7]

Really informative video, thank you!

[@ClauCuartas]

Lovely advice on how to make water kefir drinks, well explained, everything you need to know to start brewing your own. Thanks a lot :)

[@louiealissa]

Thanks, great video really helped

[@therawchef]

Thanks, Steve :)

[@addisontewharetoi6843]

Very good presentation to have prepared bottles ready to go and good clear explanations...thank you.

[@ordinaryguy6869]

Thank you so much for this great how-to video. You are an excellent teacher!

[@therawchef]

Thanks! :)

[@iowelots]

thank you I like the way you explain I love the idea of coconut water😉

[@carinavansteenbergen8324]

really intresting and a guy who´s pleasant to listen to

[@stormyskyz7881]

This looks awesome!

[@ginalai5401]

Thanks Raw chef

[@luisamedina1]

Just wanted to thank you for your video. Good energy throughout. Good flow!

[@therawchef]

Thanks :)

[@teresagiansante950]

Hi had seen other videos on kefir and kombucha. I loved your explanation

[@blissfulbaboon]

Excellent video ! 👍 Thank you so much for making it.

[@marthaarnold6763]

I made mine also with blueberries. Yummy!

[@MoonDefender007]

Thanks for the recipe :D

[@SuperHipmama]

Thank you so much! I'll give it another go. I guess I am concern about the alcohol part if I let it ferment too much. I am willing to experiment with my next batch. Thanks again for your time replying to my post, Russell.

[@eefonglee]

Thank you for this very comprehensive tutorial.

[@therawchef]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@koobeedoo]

dope thanks James. I'm going to try both of these

[@griffcollins3019]

Great technique, first Water Kiefer Video that I have really understood And, really absorbed all the information thank you🙏👌 can’t wait to give it a try

[@kaunas888]

This is one of the most detailed videos on the topic so thanks.

[@therawchef]

Wonderful! Thanks for stopping by :)

[@SoundlessLament]

I am going to try this again! My last batch died, I think, from neglect. Thank you Russell james.

[@Jessica-ps4te]

Thank you so much for this!!!

[@therawchef]

Thanks, Jessa :)

[@neusagoncalves9194]

Love this video! Very professional presentation and clear explanation! Excellent job!

[@therawchef]

Thanks! Glad you found it useful

[@claytonholton2749]

You won me over buddy your the best so far! Keep up the videos love to see the numerous ways to spice up your health in our old age!

[@geose18]

Just got my kefir today and watchung thus video gave me more ideas beside making water kefir. Nicely done!

[@ElanSunStarPhotographyHawaii]

I have been 100% raw for over 45 years. I have in tha tperiod opened over 100,000 coconuts and in the past 30 years ost of that water has been mixed with probiotics such as this.

[@kissmissthis]

I like the giddy laugh after you said "goodness" (<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="65">1:05</a>). LOL

[@veronicabessa3372]

Thanks for the video

[@Freckle62]

Hi Russell, really enjoyed this video. I love it because it is so clear and straight forward. I have one question: I have just received ordered some dehydrated kefir grains. How do I get them started? thank you in advance for your help.

[@rogerbuck3585]

First time i drank my home made Kefir it was like a after it kicked in i felt better than i have for a long time and now my second batch is done ill be enjoying that but i must say those grains multiply fast and now my third batch will yield 3 gallons so i wont be running out now unless i stop making it and that wont happen any time soon .I will be experimenting with the (Chaga from the birch tree) in it or lemon grass for even better health benefits .Let your drink be your medicine and this is great medicine .

[@lltllt7425]

Super. I’ve taken your classes since 2013 or so and really have learned a lot from you. Cheeses, chocolates and a wonderful bread recipe that I think I’ll make tomorrow. Use to drink kombucha but stopped due to too much sugar, so know thought I’d make juice or water kefir and found your video on how to make it best. So glad I did. Thanks for the great instructions. Keep up the good work product and helping people.just sub-ed and will go download the recipe to make tomorrow. Order the water kefir granules and this should be fun.

[@therawchef]

Amazing!! Let us know how you get on :)

[@Natasha-uy1dl]

Simply stunning tips! Thank you so much for sharing. I've subscribed to your channel straight away. xxxx

[@therawchef]

Thanks!

[@vickiepowers5758]

Great Job Chief!!!

[@lissettewalls5556]

Thank you, great ideas.

[@therawchef]

Thanks, Veronica :)

[@Daneeldrgn]

Thank you just finding out about this and thankyou for explaining about the metal too keep wondering about that on other vids I have been watching your the only one that explains that thanks for doing that It helps

[@vanessA-zv2qc]

very informative. thank u tons for posting the video :)

[@gailpaulics5504]

I tend to burp the flip top bottles once a day even in the fridge as I have had one explode and if any of us had been in the kitchen at the time it could well have killed us. Other than that I love the kefir water and do many different mixes with different fruits and put ginger in most of them. So good.

[@MintNHoney]

I've read that filtered water was okay to use as well though I must admit I love the taste of spring water that I can get from a store.

[@joyceparkes2678]

Thank you! Awaiting my grains in the post. I’m gasping for any one of your drinks😊

[@therawchef]

Let us know how it goes :)

[@joyceparkes2678]

Loving it hon.. my body sings

[@15JohnstBrenda]

Very informative video thank you :)

[@therawchef]

Thanks for stopping by, Brenda :)

[@Kamal-xq3cx]

THAT IS A FULL WELL EXPLAINATION AND ILLUSTRATION. THANKS

[@therawchef]

Thanks, Kamal!

[@therawchef]

There's many different ways to make kefir, and some people use lemon to regulate Ph, but the bicarb does that. Adding some figs will add sugar, but that's not needed with the coconut sugar being in there.

[@therawchef]

If they're still in grain form after 4 months, you have a good chance of them being good to go still. I would try them out in the water, molasses and coconut sugar mix and see if they grow. Usually when they die, they will just dissolve to nothing.

[@vizii8111]

Would drink it if they died?

[@hfxrybch]

You are best chef)

[@moonspell6759]

good work!

[@phuonghuynh554]

great video, thank you for getting right to the point! :)

[@spaceshipper2for71]

Thanks very much!! I'm now ready to make my very first batch of fizzy coconut kefir. I'm gonna go for the more rewarding 2-stage process ;)

[@therawchef]

:)

[@michellebarkman2301]

Thank you I am starting this as soon a I receive my grains. And you made it so much easier for me to understand. I was worried since I was fermenting some thing LOL.. Thank you again..

[@therawchef]

Thanks, Michelle :)

[@rubenlara4944]

Great Video very helpful !!

[@parshiolux]

thank you so much.. i finally understand about Kefir after watching your video (",) and it is fun to watch too (",) many best wishes for you..

[@calebnapper2554]

Very informative video, Looking forward to your other videos. But first can i buy your kefir grains ^_^ also can this really help get rid of thrush and candida? I have searched high and low for a good video on how to make kefir and you definitely are the best i've found.

[@oranbilsen7035]

Very helpful. I'm chopping ginger, right now!

[@voolala7]

BEST VIDEO EVER about water kefir! Thank you so much, I feel a lot more hopeful about making them now :) (one question though, my water kefir started to have strange mucus-like substance floating IN the water suspended... would you know why / how to prevent that? I use a ratio of 250ml bottled mineral water to 1 Tbsp of grains to 1 Tbsp of sugar - 3/4 unrefined brown sugar + 1/4 muscovado molasses)

[@mauricegagne258]

Very interesting and informative thanks for all the ideas I am going to try it today :)

[@therawchef]

Thanks, Maurice :)

[@stemack1975]

subcribed your vids are very well researched the best I have seen Bravo

[@cherylann7096]

great video! thanks!

[@benjaminljcattana76]

Awesome video man thankyou, Super healthy for one's gut health, very good. You got a good vibe about you ♾️ May Light, Love and Wisdom be with all 🙏💚🧙‍♂️

[@louchiasson]

Great video! Would love to see more Kefir based recipes :)

[@robinlillian9471]

It's NOT scary. It's safe unless it smells bad or has mold on top. To help prevent mold, stir with a wooden spoon every day. The only ferment you shouldn't stir is Kombucha, because the mushroom won't form if you do that.

[@kyliepattnaik6068]

Hi Russell. Thanks for a great video. I'm just starting out with making Kefir and it was just what I was looking for. I've noticed some other videos say there is a risk of the bottled exploding during the second ferment, if you don't release the gas daily, but you find leaving it 2 days with no release is ok. Is this because you use the bottles with the rubber seals?

[@dibyendumukharjee8822]

Great Tutorial. Can we use any juice we like?

[@therawchef]

No problem - I bought them at Ikea :)

[@Roxie7676]

I followed your video which was great, clear and very detailed, I put it in my bottles and watched your video again, for got the extra sugar after adding some flavor and when I opened the bottle it went every where lol is that normal to have so much fizz after 4 hours? I live in Vegas so not sure if it's the temp or?? Roxie

[@h.chappelle2720]

Thanks a lot for posting. Thanks for the tip about adding 1/4 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). I have not seen that in most other information about making water kefir. I am using aluminum free baking soda.