This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy. We served homemade Russian Kvas at Vadim’s 30th Birthday party. By the way, the party was perfect. Nice size crowd (20-something people). Good food, fun conversations and lots of laughs. Thanks to all who joined us to celebrate. Vadim is 30 years young!! Kvas is THE traditional Russian/ Ukrainian drink. Some compare this to a non-alcoholic beer. Its bubbly like a soda, but not as sweet. My dad tried this after working in the sun for a couple of hours and his only response was “Sila!!” (strength) – it’s very satisfying and thirst quenching.
Ingredients for Russian Kvas:
5 Liters or 5.28 Quarts, or 21 cups Warm Water 10 Tbsp Kvas Concentrate (See Picture – found in Russian/European stores) 1 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 Tbsp Active Dry Yeast 10 raisins 1/2 loaf of Rye Bread, cut into 1″ squares and toasted
How to Make Russian Kvas:
Pour Warm Water into an extra large bowl or bucket. 2. Add Kvas concentrate and Sugar, stir until dissolved. 3. Add yeast and stir until it dissolves. 4. Add Raisins 5. Add Chopped toasted bread
Cover with a breathable cotton cloth. Secure cloth with a rubber band or string.
Let Kvas sit in a warm place (about 85 °F) to ferment for 18-20 hours.
After 18-20 hours, remove raisins and bread from Kvas.
Strain kvas through multiple layers of a cheese cloth and pour into juice bottles that can be sealed tightly.
Fill juice bottles 3/4 full to allow room to expand. While Kvas is still warm, you want to put the lids on loosely. Once it cools in the refrigerator, tighten the lid.
Notes:
Most of the store bough kvas, that I tried, did not taste that great. Boise has 2 Russian/European Stores where you can find the Kvas Concentrate. I go to the one on Fairview, called Irina’s. It’s across from Idaho Athletic Club near Locust Grove. There’s also one next to China Grand Buffet on Fairview, near Five-Mile. Most Russian stores also sell a great Rye bread; just ask them what kind you need for kvas. Supposedly the Rye Bread is found at Winco too, I will have to look into that.
