Pin it A refreshing collection of naturally fermented beverages inspired by kombucha, perfect for enjoying as healthy, alcohol-free mocktails with complex flavors and gentle fizz.
I first experimented with home-brewed kombucha during a hot summer, eager for a healthier alternative to sodas. Discovering how easy it was to create delicious fermented drinks at home truly surprised me.
Ingredients
- Filtered water: 2 liters
- Black or green tea bags (or loose-leaf tea): 8 bags, or 2 tablespoons
- Granulated sugar: 200 g (1 cup)
- Kombucha SCOBY or starter liquid: 1 SCOBY or 200 ml unflavored store-bought kombucha
- Flavoring options (choose 1–2 per batch): 100 g fresh berries, 1 lemon or lime sliced, 1 knob ginger sliced, 1 sprig mint or basil, 2 tablespoons fruit juice, 1 tablespoon dried hibiscus petals, 1 cinnamon stick or 3–4 whole cloves
Instructions
- Brew the tea:
- Boil 2 liters of filtered water. Add tea bags or loose-leaf tea and steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags or strain out leaves.
- Add sugar:
- While the tea is hot, stir in the sugar until fully dissolved. Let the sweetened tea cool to room temperature (important: hot liquid can kill the SCOBY).
- Combine and ferment:
- Pour the cooled sweet tea into a large, clean glass jar. Add the SCOBY and starter liquid (or store-bought kombucha).
- Cover to ferment:
- Cover the jar with a clean cloth or paper towel secured with a rubber band. Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, for 5–7 days.
- Check and taste:
- After 5 days, taste your brew daily. When it's tangy and slightly fizzy (but not overly sour), it's ready for the next step.
- Flavor and bottle:
- Remove the SCOBY and 200 ml of kombucha to use as starter for your next batch. Add chosen fruits, herbs, or spices.
- Bottle and carbonate:
- Pour flavored kombucha into clean bottles, leaving about 2–3 cm headspace. Seal tightly. Ferment at room temperature for 1–3 more days for extra fizz.
- Refrigerate:
- Once carbonation is reached, refrigerate bottles. Strain out solids before serving.
Pin it Our family loves crafting new mocktail flavor blends together and seeing who can invent the next favorite batch. These drinks have become a staple at birthday parties where everyone, from kids to adults, can join in the fun.
Required Tools
Large glass jar (2–3 liters), fine mesh strainer, funnel, clean glass bottles with tight lids, measuring cups and spoons
Allergen Information
Contains caffeine from tea. May include traces of gluten if using flavored tea, and possible cross-contamination with nuts or other allergens if adding flavorings – check labels carefully.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 45. Total Fat: 0 g. Carbohydrates: 11 g. Protein: 0 g.
Pin it Enjoy these vibrant drinks for everyday refreshment or special occasions. Cheers to healthy, homemade fizz in every glass!