Low Sugar Beet Kvass Tonic
Beet kvass is one of those ancient fermented tonics that feels almost magical — raw beets, salt, a splash of apple cider vinegar, and a little time transform plain filtered water into a deeply ruby, tangy drink with serious gut-friendly credentials. What makes this recipe especially appealing is how naturally it sidesteps the added sugar problem: the fermentation is driven entirely by the beets themselves and a touch of ginger, with no sweeteners needed at any stage. So many store-bought probiotic drinks and wellness tonics are quietly loaded with cane sugar, honey, or fruit juice concentrates, but this one keeps things clean from start to finish. The ginger adds a gentle warmth, the thyme brings a faintly herbal note, and the apple cider vinegar gives the whole thing a bright, pleasantly tart edge that makes it feel more like a sophisticated sipping tonic than a health chore. After two to three days on the counter, the liquid deepens to that gorgeous deep red and develops a mild, earthy complexity that's genuinely hard to stop sipping. Serve it chilled in small glasses and you've got a zero-added-sugar ritual that actually tastes like something worth looking forward to.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- ¾ lb raw beets (about 2 medium), peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 3 cups filtered water, room temperature
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the cubed beets into a clean 1-quart wide-mouth glass jar. Add the sea salt, apple cider vinegar, and grated ginger. Tuck in the thyme sprigs, if using.
- 2
Pour the filtered water over the beets, leaving at least 1 inch of headspace at the top of the jar. The beets should be fully submerged; press them down gently if any float above the waterline.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!