Vanilla Mint Soda

MAKES: 2 PINT SIZE BOTTLES

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups water, preferably filtered
• ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
• ¼ cup white granulated sugar
• ¼ cup strained Wild Yeast and Ginger Starter for Homemade Sodas
• 2 vanilla beans, split lengthwise

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Bring the water to a boil.
2. Put the mint into a 1½-quart pitcher. Pour the boiling water over the mint and add the sugar. Stir until the sugar completely dissolves.
3. Let the infusion cool until it is comfortable to handle, about 100°F.
4. Strain the cooled infusion through a fine-mesh sieve and into a second pitcher or jar, then stir in the strained starter.
5. Drop two vanilla bean halves into each of two pint-size flip-top glass bottles, then pour in enough of the mint infusion to fill the bottles within an inch of their tops, taking care not to overfill them.
6. Close the bottles and set them aside in a warm spot in your kitchen out of direct sunlight. Allow to ferment at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. The longer the tonic ferments, the less sugar will remain in the final brew. If your kitchen is cool, allow it to ferment longer.
7. Transfer the bottles to the refrigerator and let chill for at least 3 days to allow the cold to help set the bubbles.
8. Open and serve at your leisure. The soda may fizz and foam when opened, so take care to open it over a sink.
9. It will keep in the fridge for at least 6 months.