Probiotic Elderberry Soda (Refined Sugar-free)
Elderberries are the fruit of the elderflower from the mighty elder tree. They are in season in autumn in Ireland, and have to be cooked to consume. Here we cook them with chicory root syrup which is a sweetener that is packed with fibre (54g fibre per 100g) which really brings a serious prebiotic quality. Then through the fermentation process we develop some natural bacteria from the yeast that occur on the apples, lemon and ginger to develop natural carbonation and a probiotic hit to help with gut health.
Takes 6 days 30 minutes
Serves 8
Ingredients
- 200 g Elderberries approx.1.5 cups
- 2 litres Water 8 cups
- 250 g Chicory root syrup 1.25 cups/ maple syrup/ date syrup/ brown rice syrup
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 apples
- 1 lemon organic
- 1 piece of fresh ginger about 5 cm, unpeeled
Instructions
- Pick and Clean elderberries : pick the elderberries and give them a good wash.
- Boil the elderberries with the syrup: In a large saucepan add 500ml of just boiled water along with the chicory root syrup, 1 tbsp cinnamon and the elderberries and bring to a boil, once boiling reduce to a simmer and leave to cook for 30 mins. Give it the occasional stir to avoid it catching and burning.
- Cool the Water: Add the remaining 1.5 litres (6 cups) of cold water to a fermentation jar or big pot along with the elderberry mixture and leave to cool the mixture down to lukewarm temperature (below 40 degrees celsius)
- Prepare the fruit and leave to bulk ferment: Chop the apple, lemon and ginger. And add to the fermentation jar or elderberry mixture along with the 2 tbsp of white wine vinegar and give them a gentle mix.
Start Fermentation:
- Cover and Ferment: Close the jar or cover the bowl with a clean cloth and let it sit at room temperature for 2-3 days. Stir the mixture once a day. You should start to see some bubbles forming, indicating that fermentation has begun.
Bottle and start secondary Fermentation:
- Strain and Bottle: After 2-3 days, strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into clean, sterilised bottles. Make sure to squeeze the elderberries to draw out all the flavour you can. Seal the bottles tightly.
- Ferment Further: Leave the bottled probiotic elderberry soda at room temperature for another 3-4 days to build up carbonation, ensuring to burp or release excess gas every day. To burp just open the lid for 1-2 seconds and close it.
Serve:
- Final taste - taste and once you are happy with the degrees of fizziness transfer to the fridge to stop the fermentation.
- Serve: Carefully open the bottles to release the built-up carbonation, pour into glasses, and enjoy your naturally fizzy, alcohol-free elderflower champagne!
Notes
- Fermentation Time: The fermentation time may vary depending on the temperature and yeast activity. Monitor the bottles carefully to avoid over-carbonation. If the room is warmer, fermentation time will be quicker and if the room temperature is cooler it will take longer.