Lacto-Fermented Soda

We made Lacto-Fermented Soda this weekend. It turned out better than I believed it could. It was really delicious. Following is the recipe I used:


Lacto-Fermented Ginger Citrus Soda

1 gallon glass jar and lid
1 citrus (wash the day before, let air dry)
1 nickel-size piece of ginger root
herb of choice (grape or raspberry leaves or other herbs)
about 1/2 cup fruit with peel (wash the day before, let air dry)
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 cup whey
1/2 cup agave or 3/4 cup sugar
filtered water

Place sweetener in jar and add a small amount of water (do not use tap water) into jar. Stir to dissolve. Squeeze citrus juice into jar and add the body of the citrus fruit.

Add other ingredients. Top off with water. Place in warm area for 2 to 3 days. On the third day strain. Place in airtight bottle(s) and place in warm area 1 - 2 days. Soda should have some carbonation. Refrigerate.


I suggest washing the fruit at least a day before to allow wild yeast and bacteria to settle on the skins. It is my understanding that microorganisms (bacteria and yeast) consume some of the sugar during fermentation. This process will create some fizz. We placed this in a sunny window to promote healthy bacteria and to deter yeasts.

We used lemons, an apple and lemon grass in our soda. It was delicious like this, but for the secondary ferment (in the bottles) we mixed it with grape-cherry juice. It was wonderful. (I think this may have too much sugar. It was good but too sweet I think. I'll work on reducing the sugar.)

I did reduce the sugar and changed the recipe a bit. We made this again but with grapefruits and lemons. The grapefruit peel turned the soda bitter and no one could drink it. I think it might be fine with the juice but not the peel.

Soda Culture

1 TBSP. ginger root, diced
2 tsp. per day sugar
mason jar (one quart)
filtered water


Add ginger root and 2 tsp. sugar to jar. Add filtered water and
stir well. Cover with loose cloth. Stir several times daily.

Each day add the ginger and sugar in same increments. Stir.

After 7 days culture is ready to use. You may store in refrigerator
until ready for use. Use one cup starter per gallon for soda making.