Be Your Own Soda Maker - June 10

Be Your Own Soda Maker

Craft Kombucha, Water Kefir, Ginger Bug & Living Herbal Sodas

Core Class — Choose Your Format
Wednesday, June 10th
6:00pm–8:00pm MST

Choose your experience

• In-Person Experience — $95

• Online Experience — $65

In-Person: Light Cellar Teaching Kitchen (limited seats)
Online: Live via Zoom (link provided after registration)

Learn how to create refreshing, probiotic-rich sparkling drinks at home

There’s something deeply satisfying about a vibrant, bubbly drink—especially when it’s alive with beneficial cultures, crafted from real ingredients, and made right in your own kitchen.

In this immersive class, Chef Alex Hamilton will guide you through the exciting world of naturally fermented beverages, from classic probiotic drinks like kombucha and water kefir to wild fermented creations like ginger bug sodas and tepache.

You’ll discover how traditional sparkling beverages were once crafted as nourishing herbal tonics and learn how to recreate that same sense of flavour, vitality, and creativity at home.

In this class, you’ll learn:

• The foundations of naturally fermented beverages

• Multiple fermentation methods for creating living sodas

• How to work with kombucha, water kefir, ginger bug, and more

• The basics of roots & fruits wild fermentation styles like tepache

• How to naturally create flavour, effervescence, and probiotics

• Tips for customizing your own herbal soda creations at home

What you’ll experience:

• Guided tasting of a variety of fermented beverages

• Live demonstrations of multiple fermentation methods

• Inspiration for creating your own unique soda recipes

• Practical tips for making living beverages part of everyday life

Included with your registration:

Each participant will receive a live fermentation culture to take home
(a $10 value)

Choose your experience:

In-Person Experience

• Full tasting experience

• Direct interaction and Q&A

• Immersive classroom environment

Online Experience

• Join live from home

• Full teaching + Q&A

• Great for those outside Calgary or unable to attend in person

Continue your learning:

Related classes include:

• Healthy Soda: Naturally Refreshing, Herbal & Alive

• Fermentation Fundamentals

• Elixir Crafting

Who this is for:

• Anyone wanting healthier alternatives to conventional soda

• Fermentation enthusiasts and curious beginners alike

• People interested in kombucha, kefir, and living beverages

• Home creators wanting fun, flavourful probiotic drinks

Instructor

with Chef Alex Hamilton

Alex is currently the chef and culinary wizard at the Light Cellar and has a catering business called Feast. He has been cooking professionally for 23 years. He has cooked in many of Calgary’s top restaurants and even worked in China and Los Angeles. Having experience in all aspects of cooking and baking, he loves exploring other cultures' food and applying techniques to local ingredients. His current focus is foraging and fermentation, getting to know the Calgary area’s flora and fauna. He is deepening his understanding of the local supply chain and how to best utilize it and lessen waste.  He explores how to make delicious food healthy and healthy food delicious, integrating time honored food traditions that promote better well being.   There is a deep importance for a healthier and more synergistic relationship with food and the energy systems of our body. 

After you register:

All participants will receive:

• A reminder email with full event details

• The link to join live (for online attendees)

• Access to the session recording after the class

• Recipes and supporting class resources

If you can’t attend live, you’re still welcome to register and watch the replay.