Now that you have your ginger bug, lets make probiotic soda!
Homemade probiotic soda is a delicious, naturally carbonated drink that’s rich in beneficial bacteria and yeast. Using a ginger bug to ferment fruit juice or tea is an easy, beginner-friendly way to make your own gut-friendly soda at home! In this guide, I’ll break down how the ginger bug works, the step-by-step process, and the best flavor combinations.
Once you have your ginger bug you can easily create probiotic-rich naturally carbonated sodas. This step is easy and with a couple days you have a delicious drink filled with a gut friendly nutrients.
How Does a Ginger Bug Work?
A ginger bug is a naturally fermented mixture made from fresh ginger, sugar, and water. As the ginger bug ferments, wild yeast and beneficial bacteria multiply, creating a bubbly, probiotic-rich liquid. When added to sweetened fruit juice or tea, the live cultures in the ginger bug continue to feed on the sugars, producing carbon dioxide and creating natural carbonation. This is what makes your homemade soda fizzy!
The key to a successful ginger bug soda is keeping the right balance of sugar and active cultures. The sugar acts as food for the microbes, and as they consume it, they release carbon dioxide, creating bubbles. If you don’t have a ginger bug yet, start with my guide: How To Make A Ginger Bug Using Sugar or Honey
Ginger bug + Sugar –> Feeds microbes –> Produces CO₂ –> Natural carbonation –> Creating fizzy, probiotic-rich soda!
Ingredients for Making Probiotic Soda
Making probiotic soda at home is simple—you only need a few key ingredients:
- Starter Culture: The base for fermentation. A ginger bug is most commonly used, but you can also use whey or water kefir. Each one adds its own unique flavor and beneficial bacteria.
- Sweetener: Sugar is essential to feed the good bacteria. You can use cane sugar, honey, or maple syrup. Don’t worry—the microbes consume most of the sugar during fermentation, leaving your soda lightly sweet and probiotic-rich.
- Flavor Boosters: Add fruits, herbs, or spices to infuse your soda with flavor. Think ginger, citrus, berries, or fresh mint—get creative!
- Water: Always use filtered or dechlorinated water. Chlorine can inhibit or kill the live cultures, so make sure your water is clean and microbe-friendly.
How to Make Probiotic Soda with a Ginger Bug
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- 4 cups fruit juice or tea (non-chlorinated water)
- 1/2 – 2/3 cup active ginger bug
- 1/2 cup sugar (cane sugar, honey, or maple syrup)
- Optional: lemon or lime juice for brightness and herbs or spices for flavor
Instructions:
- Prepare Your Base: Start with 4 cups of fruit juice or brewed tea and mix in the sugar. (If using a fruit juice that already contains sugar, you can skil this step or only add a few tablespoons of sugar) Make sure the tea is cooled to room temperature. Any hot drink can kill the ginger bug and your drink will not carbonate.
- Add the Ginger Bug: Pour in 1/2 – 2/3 cup of your active ginger bug. Stir well to combine. Make sure to strain the ginger bug first. You can add the strained ginger back into the jar.
- Bottle the Soda: Use glass swing-top bottles for best results. Leave about an inch or two of headspace to accommodate carbonation. Swing-top bottles help to hold in the pressure that is created during fermentation and therefore work best.
- Ferment: Seal tightly and let ferment at room temperature for 2-4 days, up to 7 days. Check daily and burp the bottle (open it to release the pressure). You do not want to open it too often because this interferes with the fermentation process. Once a day or ever two days works best. You will know what works as you continue to experiment and make probiotic soda in your home environment. I had the most success letting the pressure build up and not opening for 3 days, but again, this depends on the environment of your home and the warmth of the area you ferment your soda –warmer areas will ferment the soda faster.
- Taste and Store: Once fizzy and slightly tangy, transfer to the refrigerator to slow fermentation. Enjoy chilled!
How Long to Ferment the Soda
The fermentation time can vary depending on temperature and the strength of your ginger bug. Typically, it takes 2-4 days at room temperature. Warmer environments may speed up the process, while cooler environments can slow it down, requiring more time for the soda to become fizzy, sometimes up to 7 days. Checking daily helps you catch the perfect level of carbonation, and once it’s bubbly to your liking, refrigerate to stop fermentation and preserve the flavor.
Tips for Success:
- If your ginger bug is weaker use more (about 2/3 cups).
- Use swing-top bottles to trap carbonation effectively.
- Taste daily to monitor fermentation; the soda should be lightly tangy and bubbly.
- Always use non-chlorinated water to protect the live cultures.
- Add a splash of lemon or lime juice for extra zing right before drinking.
- Store your soda in a cool, dark place at room temperature while fermenting—like a pantry or a kitchen cupboard. Keeping it out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources helps maintain a consistent temperature, allowing the ginger bug to work its magic without risking overheating or spoilage.
Common Questions
Best Juices to Use To Make Probiotic Soda
- Fresh Squeezed Fruit Juice: Orange juice, pineapple juice, apple juice – for a bright, natural flavor and good sugar content to feed the ginger bug.
- Store-Bought Juice: Make sure it’s 100% juice with no added preservatives or artificial ingredients.
- Herbal and Flavored Teas: Brewed and sweetened, like hibiscus, jasmine, green tea, or chai.
- Fruit Purees: Mixed with water and a little sugar to create a juice-like consistency.
How To Know If Ginger Bug Is Weak Or Strong?
You can tell if your ginger bug is strong when it’s bubbly, fizzy, and has a pleasant, slightly yeasty smell—it should visibly bubble when stirred and may even foam a bit. A weak ginger bug, on the other hand, will have little to no bubbles, a flat or stale aroma, and might seem sluggish even after feeding. To revive a weak bug, try feeding it daily with fresh ginger and sugar, keeping it in a warm spot, and stirring it to encourage oxygen flow.
Is Probiotic Soda Safe for Diabetes?
Probiotic soda made with a ginger bug can be lower in sugar than traditional sodas since the fermentation process consumes some of the sugars. However, the final sugar content can vary based on the juice used and fermentation time. It’s important for people with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels and consider the natural sugars in homemade sodas. Always consult with your healthcare provider before incorporating fermented drinks into your diet to ensure they align with your health needs.
Does Probiotic Soda Contain Alcohol?
No, probiotic soda made with a ginger bug can contain trace amounts of alcohol—usually less than 1% ABV—because the fermentation process naturally produces a small amount of alcohol along with carbon dioxide. However, the alcohol content is typically so low that it’s considered non-alcoholic. If you are sensitive to alcohol or avoiding it for any reason, it’s best to be mindful of this and consume in moderation.
Why Homemade Probiotic Soda is Good for You
This soda is not just delicious—it’s packed with live probiotics that support gut health, aid digestion, and boost the immune system. Unlike store-bought sodas loaded with processed sugars, this naturally fermented drink is lower in sugar and made with real ingredients.
Whether you’re looking for a fizzy, gut-friendly drink to replace store-bought sodas or just want to experiment with homemade fermentation, probiotic ginger bug soda is a fun and rewarding project. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to store-bought sodas
Probiotic Soda Recipes To Try:
- How to Make Naturally Carbonated, Probiotic-Rich Ginger Ale Using a Ginger Bug
- Orange Passionfruit Probiotic Soda
- Naturally Carbonated Hibiscus Soda
How To Make Probiotic Soda
Ingredients
- 4 cups Fruit juice or tea (made with non-chlorinated water) (if using tea, make sure it is cooled before adding the ginger bug)
- 1/2 – 2/3 cup Active ginger bug use only the liquid
- 1/2 cup Sugar (cane sugar, honey, or maple syrup) Remember, the sugar will be consumed by the bacteria during fermentation, resulting in a lower sugar content in the final product.
- Optional: lemon or lime juice for brightness and herbs or spices for flavor
Instructions
- Prepare Your Base: Start with 4 cups of fruit juice or brewed tea and mix in the sugar. (If using a fruit juice that already contains sugar, you can skip this step or only add a few tablespoons of sugar) Make sure the tea is cooled to room temperature. Any hot drink can kill the ginger bug and your drink will not carbonate.
- Add the Ginger Bug: Pour in 1/2 – 2/3 cup of your active ginger bug. Stir well to combine. Make sure to strain the ginger bug first. You can add the strained ginger back into the jar.
- Bottle the Soda: Use glass swing-top bottles for best results. Leave about an inch or two of headspace to accommodate carbonation.
- Ferment: Seal tightly and let ferment at room temperature for 2-4 days, up to 7 days. Check daily and burp the bottle (open it to release the pressure). You do not want to open it too often because this interferes with the fermentation process. Once a day or ever two days works best.
- Taste and Store: Once fizzy and slightly tangy, transfer to the refrigerator to slow fermentation. Enjoy it chilled!
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a healthcare professional regarding your health conditions and dietary choices.
Don’t forget to leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating down below if you try this recipe! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Instagram for more recipes and updates.
