Kvas

Name: Kvas
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Ukrainian
Ingredients: 4 slices dark rye bread, toasted, torn; 8 cups warm water; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup raisins; 1/2 tsp active dry yeast; 4 fresh mint sprigs

Kvas is a lightly fermented Ukrainian drink made from toasted dark rye bread, sugar, raisins, and a pinch of yeast, with a tangy, fizzy character. It is served chilled in summer. Plan ahead: ferment the kvas 2 days before chilling.

35 minEasyServes 8120 cal/serving

UkrainianNon-Alcoholic DrinkFermentedVeganDairy-FreeEgg-FreeNut-Free

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Ingredients

4 slices dark rye bread, toasted, torn
8 cups warm water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 tsp active dry yeast
4 fresh mint sprigs

Instructions

1

Toast 4 slices toasted, torn dark rye bread in a 300°F oven until dark and crisp, about 15 minutes. Tear into pieces.
2

Place the bread in a large jar or crock with 8 cups warm water, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup raisins. Stir well and cover loosely with a cloth.
3

Let it steep 12 hours at room temperature, until it smells tangy. Strain out the bread and raisins.
4

Stir 1/2 tsp active dry yeast into the liquid and cover loosely. Let it ferment at room temperature 1 to 2 days, until lightly fizzy.
5

Chill before bottling. Use plastic bottles with headspace and keep them refrigerated, because sealed kvas keeps fermenting and glass can burst. Serve cold over ice with 4 fresh mint sprigs.

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Questions

What temperature do I cook Kvas at?

For Kvas, the oven is set to 300 F (about 150 C) in step 1. The longest stretch at that heat is 15 minutes, in step 1.

What can I use instead of yeast in Kvas?

The entry for Kvas calls for 1/2 tsp active dry yeast. In its place: Instant and active dry yeast swap measure for measure. Active dry wants five minutes in warm liquid first, while instant goes straight into the flour.

Can I make Kvas gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Kvas is 4 slices dark rye bread, toasted, torn. Swap the bread or crumbs for a gluten-free loaf or gluten-free panko. Everything else proceeds as written.

Can I batch Kvas for a group?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Halved, the rye bread drops from 4 slices to 2 slices; doubled, it is 8 slices. Every line in this entry carries its half and double quantity, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. To make a pitcher, multiply everything and stir over ice at the end.

Serve it with

Makivnyk dessert
Syrnyky breakfast
Kutab starter

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