Bubbly Yogurt Whey Soda (Beginner-Friendly)

Ingredients

2 cups whey (strained from plain yogurt; not the thick yogurt itself)

2 tbsp sugar or honey (natural food for fermentation)

½ cup fruit juice (optional, for flavor — grape, apple, or lemon works well)

1 pinch of salt (optional, enhances flavor)

Filtered water (to top off if needed)

Flip-top bottle or clean jar with lid

🧪 What You Need to Know:

Whey should be clear yellow liquid strained from yogurt (not cloudy or milky).

Sugar is fermented, so the final drink won’t be overly sweet.

Clean bottles are essential to avoid bad bacteria.

This is a mild fermentation, usually done in 2–3 days.

Directions

Collect whey:

Strain plain yogurt through a cheesecloth or coffee filter. Catch the yellow liquid — this is your whey. Save the thick yogurt solids for other use.

Mix your base:

In a clean bottle or jar:

Add 2 cups of whey

Add 2 tbsp sugar or honey

Add ½ cup fruit juice (optional)

Add a pinch of salt (optional)

Top off with filtered water, leaving 1–2 inches of space at the top

Seal & ferment:

Close tightly. If using a flip-top bottle, “burp” it (open briefly) once a day to avoid pressure buildup.

Leave at room temperature for 2–3 days (70–75°F / 21–24°C works best).

Refrigerate & enjoy:

Once it’s bubbly and tangy to your liking, refrigerate to stop fermentation. Chill before drinking.

🧊 Optional Flavor Variations:

Ginger Lemon Whey Soda: Add 1 tsp fresh grated ginger + 2 tbsp lemon juice

Berry Bliss: Add a few mashed berries instead of juice

Mint Lime: Add a sprig of mint + juice of ½ lime

⚠️ Tips:

Use a plastic or wooden spoon (whey can react with metal).

Avoid overfermenting – it can go sour or overly fizzy.

If it smells off (rotten, sulfurous), discard it.