The Perfect Summertime Soda: Smreka with CBD

There is nothing better in the hot summer months than a refreshing cordial, Smerka is a classic drink from the Balkans, a fermented Juniper Berry soda with health benefits. Smreka is probiotic but unlike Kombucha it isn’t fermented with sugar which makes it ideal for those watching their sugar intake. Smreka has negligible alcohol content, around 0.5%, I’ve added a CBD-rich alcohol-based tincture to enhance the relaxing cordial effect.

Smreka’s main ingredient is dried Juniper Berries, known to improve digestion and support urinary tract health. Smreka has a mild slightly flowery flavor and is lightly carbonated. The fermentation process takes 10 to 30 days, after 10 days it will get fizzier by the day, so how much carbonation you prefer will dictate the length of the fermentation process. I like a mild carbonation so I favor around 14 days fermentation before straining.

What You Need To Make Smreka

  • A quart jar with either a plastic lid or a metal lid, with a parchment paper insert placed under the lid.

  • Either a cheescloth, muslin, silk, a sprouting screen or fine-mesh colander for straining.

  • ¾ cup of dried juniper berries

  • 1 quart of water

  • 30 drops Synergy Wellness CBD-rich alcohol based tincture.

  • Fresh lemon or lime juice (optional)

  • Raw honey (optional)

Method

  1. Pour the dried Juniper Berries and the quart of water into the quart jar, seal the jar.

  2. 2. Shake the jar every day, the Juniper Berries will float around, the longer you keep fermenting the more berries will drop to the bottom of the jar.

  3. ’Burp’ the jar every few days, ‘burping’ just means taking the lid off, exposing the liquid to the air and then re-sealing the jar.

  4. When you are ready to finish fermenting the Smreka, (for mild carbonation say 14 days) strain the liquid through cheesecloth, silk, muslin or a fine-mesh colander.

  5. Add 30 drops of Synergy Wellness CBD alcohol based tincture, shake to mix.

  6. Smreka has a mild flowery flavor, add fresh lemon or lime to add a little tartness, and/or a little honey if you like a little more sweetness.

Serve & enjoy!