Homemade Fruit Kvass | Fermented Fruit Probiotic Drink | Cotter Crunch (2024)

This homemade fruit kvass with berries, lime, and mint is a gluten free version of a popular Russian fermented probiotic drink. This fermented fruit recipe makes a refreshing, tangy, bubbly drink that you can make right at home. An invigorating and fruity way to get more probiotics in your life!

Recipes for Gut Health

And here we go, the third “gut healthy” recipe! In cased you missed it, I’ve “accidentally” been focusing on gut health specific recipes. It all began with the cheater’s apple kimchi salad, then the detox broccoli salad, now this fruit kvass. I have about 3 more to round up in the next week or so. Sound good? Cool. Cause your gut will thank you. At least I hope!

Now, let’s focus in on this bubbly fermented fruit drink right here.

Confession. I may have developed a slight kombucha addiction. I LOVE that it’s a probiotic, but I don’t love paying upwards of $5 a bottle for it.

Aaaand since we’re relying on one income right now, I thought making it at home would be the responsible thing to do, am I right? But kombucha can feel intimidating to make. Although, it really just takes patience. Just see my original “how to make a scoby” recipe post from way back when!

Anyway, we’re trying to keep things SIMPLE these days, so that’s where fruit kvass comes in.

So, what is kvass?

A little background to get you more excited about this fruit kvass, because it’s going to be your new go-to healthy, refreshing summer drink. You can put a bottle of it in the fridge next to the turmeric ginger lemonade, mmm k?

Kvass is a fermented beverage that originated in Russia, typically made from rye bread. I kid you not, there are actual kvass trucks! Russians line up in the summer for their probiotic drinks, kinda like our version of the ice cream truck. Pretty sure the kvass truck will never replace the ice cream truck here, LOL!

This version is made using 3 kinds of fresh berries (yes, more berry love), plus lemon, mint, and raw honey.

Sounds delicious already! And even though it’s grain free, it’s still got all the GOOD probiotic qualities. It ferments on the counter for about 5 days in an air-tight glass container. You’ll have to shake it a few times to prevent mold, but that’s IT!

Once the fruit looks cooked, strain and pour yourself a tall glass of kvass. I’ve even got the kiwi hooked!

Benefit of probiotic drinks like fruit kvass

Now I’m going to nerd out on you, because I want y’all to know how nutritious fermented foods are. Well, fermented probiotic drinks specifically, mmm k?

The probiotics in kvass populate your gut with healthy bacteria, improving intestinal tract health and crowding out all those bad microbes. And you know how much I hate those bad microbes! After what I’ve been through with my digestive issues, I’m seriously ALL about getting in my probiotic drinks!

Another added bonus, probiotics stimulate and enhance the immune system. Goodbye Summer cold! Hold on, ‘cause there’s even MORE! Fruit kvass is high in antioxidants. You remember all those berries and the lemon? They’re ready to fight free radicals (Oxidative Stress)and boost your immune system. Ya, what’s not to love about it?

Helpful Brewing Tips

• The berries release their pigments which gives the kvass an orange/pink-red color. The color of kvass will change depending on what type of you fruit .
• When you start to see bubbles (usually after 1 day of sealing) release the lid and let a little air out so it won’t get over carbonated. If you don’t see any bubbles, just keep it sealed until the 2nd day.
• Using a starter culture (like the kombucha juice) along with the sugar helps to speed up the fermentation process and give the kvass a little in more flavor pizazz (aka palatability).

Seriously, this drink is AMAZING! It’s slightly sweet, slightly acidic, a little bubbly (aka fermented fizzy goodness), and has some powerful health benefits! So go make it! The hardest thing will be waiting for it to ferment. Yes, first world problems.

Other gut health drink recipes to try:

• Cranberry-Pineapple Gut Healthy Elixir
• Soothing Coconut Cranberry Smoothie

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Have you tried making fermented probiotic drinks? Now that you know how to make kvass, there are no excuses! Well, dare I ask that you join me in this little “gut healthy” recipe venture? Haha, too many questions, I know!

Cheers to rebooting that immune system!

LC