Looking for a simple, natural way to support your gut health? Fermented drinks are a fantastic source of beneficial bacteria. With just two basic ingredients juice and whey, you can make a bubbly probiotic drink that is so refreshing and good for you. Soooo yo wanna make it? Here’s how to do it!
You know the liquid stuff that’s in the yogurt? That’s whey, it is rich in live bacteria. Now let’s talk about the juice. Juice, especially those naturally high in sugar like apple, grape, or pineapple, serves as the perfect medium for fermentation. The natural sugars (juice) feed the beneficial bacteria (whey). This leads to a mildly fizzy, lightly tart drink that’s loaded with probiotics.
Ingredients:
• 1 quart (4 cups) 100% fruit juice (choose organic if possible; avoid juices with preservatives)
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh liquid whey (strained from yogurt)
• A clean glass swing top bottle
Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Whey:
strain plain yogurt through a cheesecloth, coffee filter, or clean kitchen towel over a bowl. After a few hours, you’ll have thickened yogurt in the cloth and liquid in the bowl. That’s your whey
2. Combine Ingredients:
Pour the juice into your bottle leaving a little space at the top. Add the whey close the top and gently shake to combine.
3. Ferment:
Let the mixture sit at room temperature (around 68–75°F / 20–24°C) for 2–3 days. The warmer the room, the faster it will ferment. Also pop the top daily to release some of the pressure.
4. Taste Test:
After 2 days, taste a small spoonful. It should be a bit less sweet, slightly tangy, and possibly a little bubbly. If it’s still too sweet, let it ferment another day.
5. Refrigerate and Enjoy:
Once it reaches your desired flavor place in the refrigerator. The cold will slow down the fermentation. Enjoy within 1–2 weeks for best taste and probiotic benefits.
Tips for Success:
• Use fresh, preservative-free juice. Preservatives can inhibit fermentation.
• Don’t overdo the whey. Too much can make the drink overly tangy or sour. Start with 1/4 cup and adjust next time based on your taste.
• Watch for pressure. The pressure from carbonation can build. Burp the jar daily.
This simple homemade probiotic drink is a great way to repurpose whey and give your gut some extra love. It’s affordable and customizable.