This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
You’re gonna appreciate this; a simple, authentic bread kvas that doesn’t need a concentrate! My hubby’s cousin, Angelina, shared this recipe with us. We’ve made it with rye bread and with black bread and both were so refreshing! New favorite for sure – thanks Angelina!
This kvass lasts up to a week in the fridge (probably longer, but it might start tasting kinda strong). You’ll notice it loses sweetness daily as it stands. I think it’s best after a full day in the fridge.
Bread Kvas is uber popular in Russia and Ukraine. You might compare it to a sweet, non-alcoholic beer. From my research, kvass only has up to 1% alcohol content (still probably not recommended for pregos). The longer it sits in the fridge, the more slightly “alcoholic” it gets, but it’s still considered non-alcoholic.
So if you drink it in the first day or 2, there is probably no alcohol in there yet. From what my readers have said, it’s best to store kvas in plastic soda bottles since they are designed to hold pressurized drinks. I like to release the pressure from my bottles 1-2 times a day because an over-inflated bottle just makes me nervous.
Ingredients for Bread Kvas:
2.5 gallons or 10 qtof water
1 lb or 9 slices of classic black, dark or rye bread
1 handful of raisins
1.8 lb (4 cups) of sugar
1.5 Tbsp of active dry yeast
3 large plastic soda bottles
How to Make Russian Bread Kvas: (best if prepared in the evening)
DAY 1:
1. Fill giant stock pot with 2.5 gallons of water (or divide it into two large pots) and bring to a boil.
2. While waiting, toast the bread slices twice on the darkest toaster setting. Yes. Seriously. Darker bread makes darker kvass. Toast bread either outside or in your garage or your house will get smokey. We learned the hard way :). It should look like the photo below.
3.When water starts to boil, remove the pot from heat.Add a handful of raisins and toasted bread to the pot, cover with the lid and let it stay overnight or at least 8 hours.
DAY 2:
4. Carefully remove toasted bread and discard it.
5. In a medium bowl, mix together 4 cups of sugar and 1.5 Tbsp of yeast, add them to kvas mixture and stir.
6. Cover with plastic wrap or lid and leave the mixture on the counter for another 6 hours, stirring every couple hours.
7. Discard floating raisins by scooping them up witha large spoon. Using strainer or cheese cloth, pour kvass into bottles, loosely cover with lid and refrigerate overnight. The following day once the bottles are completely chilled, you can tighten the lid.
P.S. According to my readers, it’s best to store kvas in plastic soda bottles since they are designed to hold pressurized drinks.
DAY 3: enjoy
DAY 4: enjoy
DAY 5: …..did it really last that long?
How do you make your kvass?
Easy Bread Kvas Recipe
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Prep Time: 14 hours hrs
Total Time: 14 hours hrs
Ingredients
Servings: 20 -24
- 2.5 gallons or 10 qt of water
- 1 lb or 9 slices of classic black, dark or rye bread
- 1 handful of raisins
- 1.8 lb 4 cups of sugar
- 1.5 tablespoons of active dry yeast
- 3 large plastic soda bottles
Instructions
DAY 1: (best if prepared in the evening)
Fill giant stock pot with 2.5 gallons of water (or divide it into two large pots) and bring to a boil.
While waiting, toast the bread slices twice on the darkest toaster setting. Darker bread makes darker kvass. Toast bread either outside or in your garage or your house will get smokey.
When water starts to boil, remove the pot from heat. Add a handful of raisins and toasted bread to the pot, cover with the lid and let it stay overnight or at least 8 hours.
DAY 2:
Carefully remove toasted bread and discard it.
In a medium bowl, mix together 4 cups of sugar and 1.5 Tbsp of yeast, add them to kvas mixture and stir.
Cover with plastic wrap or lid and leave the mixture on the counter for another 6 hours, stirring every couple hours.
Discard floating raisins by scooping them up with a large spoon. Using strainer or cheese cloth, pour kvass into bottles, loosely cover with lid and refrigerate overnight. The following day once the bottles are completely chilled, you can tighten the lid.
Notes
P.S. According to my readers, it's best to store kvas in plastic soda bottles since they are designed to hold pressurized drinks.
- Full Nutrition Label
- Nutrition Disclosure
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: Russian, Ukrainian
Keyword: Easy Bread Kvas, Russian kvass
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Natasha Kravchuk
Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.
Read more posts by Natasha
FAQs
Brewers yeast: The yeast used to brew beer (not the dried supplement) can be used to make kvass. It is much more active, so only use 1/4 tsp.
How long does it take for kvass to ferment? ›
Depending on the temperature, after 2 or 3 days you should have a nice fermentation going. The drink is now ready to enjoy.
What is kvas made of? ›
In the traditional method, kvass is made from a mash obtained from rye bread or rye flour and malt soaked in hot water, fermented for about 12 hours with the help of sugar and bread yeast or baker's yeast at room temperature.
Is kvass considered alcoholic? ›
Usually, kvass contains not more than 1.5% of alcohol by volume, but if it stands for longer time, the concentration can become 2.5% or higher. Unlike beer, the kvass is generally considered to be a nonalcoholic beverage and is drunk by children of all ages without any limit.
Is bread kvass healthy? ›
Nutrition Facts
Kvass is considered a “functional food” because it offers a wide range of probiotics and nutrients, including vitamin B12, selenium and manganese. If made with beets, it also contains a good dose of antioxidants, natural nitrates, vitamins A and C, and potassium.
Does kvass go bad? ›
You can easily recognise commercial kvass by looking at the best-before date, which can extend to 12-36 months at room temperature.
How often should you drink kvass? ›
HOW MUCH DO I DRINK? We recommend starting small with 1 dose per day and building to a maintenance dose of 2 shots per day. As our BEET KVASS is a living, nutritionally dense probiotic liquid tonic, a little goes a long way. Only a small amount daily is required to promote an overall feeling of improved health.
How long does homemade kvass last? ›
You may drink it right away, but it's often best after a few days. As a fermented beverage, this kvass will last for quite some time, at least a month or longer.
How do you know when kvass is ready? ›
And as every chef knows, the best way to test something is to taste it. Kvass can take anywhere between 2-7 days before it's fermented to perfection, so try tasting a little after the second day. What you're looking for is that perfect balance of sweet and sour, with a hint of carbonation.
Is kvass legal in America? ›
“Is Kvass considered alcoholic under US law?” Kvass can have as much as 1 percent ABV. Each state has its own laws so that might count is one state but not in another state. The most common rule in US states is 1 percent ABV and down don't count as alcoholic beverages.
Traditionally, beet kvass has been used to support immune function, cleanse the blood, combat fatigue and chemical sensitivities, allergies and digestive problems, and is especially good for those suffering from constipation or sluggish liver.
Do you have to burp kvass? ›
The first day is likely fine to leave it alone but any day taken further, and your kvass should carefully be “burped” and stirred at least once a day.
Is kvass sold in the US? ›
Generally, you can find kvass in any Eastern European or Russian grocery store. There are a few of them in the Metro Detroit area, especially Southfield/Warren (not sure where you are located).
Can kids drink kvas? ›
It is known as a slightly fermented rye bread drink. It contains less than 1 % of alcohol, so even children are allowed to drink it. Once tasted this soft drink in Russia during the Moscow tour with Moscow tour guide, you want to make it in your home country. Please follow the directions of the recipe.
Do Muslims drink kvass? ›
I believe countries like Iran have set the threshold to 1% concentration, anything up is haram and anything below is halal. Kvass is considered non-alcoholic to low alcohol drink, which means it contains the natural amount of alcohol that can be found in fruits. so it will be ok to drink it.
What is the best yeast to ferment fruit? ›
The top yeast strains for fruit wine fermentation are K1 (V1116), EC1118, DV10, 71B, D47, M2, VIN 13, VL1, QA23, R2, and W15. For cider fermentation, the top strains are DV10, EC1118, K1 (V1116), M2, Opale, QA23, R2 and VIN 13.
What is the best yeast to ferment alcohol? ›
Fermentation processes to produce wines, beers and ciders are traditionally carried out with Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, the most common and commercially available yeast.
What is the best yeast for fermenting apple juice? ›
The most commonly used yeast is a champagne yeast. Being a very aggressive yeast, it ferments quickly to a very clean, dry flavor that suits the apple character very well. This yeast is cheap, easy to use, and makes a delicious, consistent beverage.
What is the best yeast for low ABV? ›
LalBrew® LoNa™ is the first maltose-negative Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain specifically developed using hybridization for brewing clean low-alcohol and non-alcohol beers (reduced worty flavors, POF-negative and H2S-negative).
