Save 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 making kombucha-style drinks at home while searching for a healthy, fizzy treat that my friends and family could enjoy at gatherings. The process quickly became a fun kitchen project, with everyone suggesting their favorite fruit and herb combinations for new batches.
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
- Fresh berries: 100 g (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries; choose per batch)
- Lemon or lime: 1, thinly sliced
- Fresh ginger: 1 small knob, sliced
- Fresh mint or basil: 1 sprig
- Fruit juice: 2 tablespoons (pomegranate, cherry, apple)
- Dried hibiscus petals: 1 tablespoon
- Cinnamon stick or whole cloves: 1 stick or 3–4 cloves
Instructions
- Brew the tea:
- Boil filtered water and add tea bags or loose-leaf tea, steeping for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags or strain leaves.
- Add sugar:
- Stir in sugar while tea is hot until fully dissolved, then let cool to room temperature.
- Combine and ferment:
- Pour cooled sweet tea into a large, clean glass jar and add the SCOBY and starter liquid or store-bought kombucha.
- Cover the jar:
- Use a clean cloth or paper towel secured with a rubber band. Store at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, for 5–7 days.
- Check and taste:
- After 5 days, taste your brew every day. When tangy and slightly fizzy, continue to next step.
- Flavor and bottle:
- Remove SCOBY and 200 ml kombucha for your next batch. Add chosen fruits, herbs, or spices to the kombucha.
- Bottle and ferment for carbonation:
- Pour into clean bottles with tight lids, leaving headspace. Ferment at room temperature for 1–3 more days.
- Refrigerate:
- Once desired carbonation is reached, refrigerate bottles and strain out solid flavorings before serving.
Save My family especially loves creating flavor blends together. One afternoon, we spent hours coming up with fun combinations and taste-testing each one, making the whole process deliciously memorable.
Required Tools
Large glass jar, fine mesh strainer, funnel, clean glass bottles with tight lids, measuring cups and spoons
Allergen Information
This fermented mocktail contains caffeine from tea and may have traces of gluten or other allergens depending on your flavor additions, so always check labels if needed.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 45, Total Fat: 0 g, Carbohydrates: 11 g, Protein: 0 g
Save Enjoy experimenting and sharing these naturally fizzy, flavorful drinks with loved ones. Each batch is a fun opportunity for creativity and wellness in a glass.
Recipe Guide
- → Which tea works best for kombucha-style drinks?
Black or green tea are preferred for their robust flavor and optimal fermentation properties. Loose-leaf or bags are both suitable.
- → How can I flavor my fermented drinks?
Use fresh berries, citrus slices, herbs like mint, or spices such as ginger, cinnamon, and hibiscus for creative taste variations.
- → How do I know when fermentation is complete?
Taste daily after 5 days. When the drink is pleasantly tangy and lightly fizzy, it’s ready for bottling and further carbonation.
- → Are these drinks suitable for vegan and gluten-free diets?
Yes, when made with vegan-approved tea and certified gluten-free ingredients, these beverages fit vegan and gluten-free lifestyles.
- → How much sugar remains after fermentation?
Most sugar is consumed during fermentation; remaining levels vary by ferment time and make for a gentler, not overly sweet drink.
- → What equipment do I need for home-brewed mocktails?
Use a large glass jar, fine mesh strainer, funnel, and clean bottles with tight lids for safe and easy preparation.