Enjoy fizzy kombucha-style drinks with vibrant fruit, herbal accents and gentle fermentation, all alcohol-free.
# Components:
→ Kombucha-Style Base
01 - 2 liters filtered water
02 - 8 black or green tea bags or 2 tablespoons loose-leaf tea
03 - 200 grams (1 cup) granulated sugar
04 - 1 kombucha SCOBY or 200 milliliters unflavored store-bought kombucha starter
→ Flavoring Options
05 - 100 grams fresh berries such as raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries
06 - 1 lemon or lime, thinly sliced
07 - 1 small knob fresh ginger, sliced
08 - 1 sprig fresh mint or basil
09 - 2 tablespoons fruit juice, such as pomegranate, cherry, or apple
10 - 1 tablespoon dried hibiscus petals
11 - 1 cinnamon stick or 3–4 whole cloves
# Method steps:
01 - Bring 2 liters of filtered water to a boil. Add tea bags or loose-leaf tea and steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags or strain out leaves.
02 - Stir granulated sugar into the hot brewed tea until dissolved completely. Allow the sweetened tea to cool to room temperature, as hot liquids can damage fermentation cultures.
03 - Pour the cooled tea into a clean, large glass jar. Introduce the SCOBY and the kombucha starter liquid or store-bought kombucha into the jar.
04 - Cover the jar with a clean cloth or paper towel secured by a rubber band. Store the jar at room temperature out of direct sunlight for 5 to 7 days.
05 - After 5 days, begin daily tasting. When the beverage achieves a tangy, gently fizzy profile and is not overly sour, it is ready to be flavored.
06 - Remove the SCOBY and set aside 200 milliliters of kombucha as starter for future batches. Add your selected fruits, herbs, or spices for flavoring.
07 - Transfer flavored kombucha into clean bottles using a funnel, leaving 2 to 3 centimeters headspace. Seal bottles tightly and allow them to ferment at room temperature for an additional 1 to 3 days to encourage carbonation.
08 - Once desired carbonation is achieved, refrigerate bottles. Strain out any solid flavorings before serving. Serve chilled, and optionally over ice with sparkling water and garnishes.
