Fermented Kombucha-Style Home-Brew

A refreshing collection of naturally fermented beverages inspired by kombucha, perfect for enjoying as healthy, alcohol-free mocktails with complex flavors and gentle fizz.

My first attempt at homemade kombucha-style mocktails surprised my friends&family with bright, tangy flavors and a playful fizz. Its become a staple for gatherings and everyday refreshment.

Ingredients

• Filtered water: 2 liters
• Black or green tea bags: 8, or 2 tablespoons loose-leaf tea
• 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)
• 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 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. 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 and ferment:

Cover the jar with a clean cloth or paper towel secured with a rubber band. Store at room temperature, away from sunlight, for 5–7 days.

Check and taste:

After 5 days, taste daily. When tangy and slightly fizzy, but not too sour, its ready for next step.

Flavor and bottle:

Remove SCOBY and 200 ml kombucha to use as starter for next batch. Add chosen fruits, herbs, or spices to the kombucha.

Bottle and ferment:

Pour into clean bottles, leaving 2–3 cm headspace. Seal tightly. Ferment at room temperature for 1–3 more days for carbonation.

Refrigerate:

Once desired carbonation is reached, refrigerate bottles. Strain out solid flavorings before serving.

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Sharing these drinks with my family brought out smiles and curiosity as everyone chose their favorite fruity add-ins. Even kids love helping mix and bottle their special flavors.

Required Tools

Large glass jar (2–3 liters), fine mesh strainer, funnel, clean glass bottles with tight lids, measuring cups and spoons are needed for easy, safe brewing.

Allergen Information

Contains caffeine from tea. May contain traces of gluten with flavored teas. Cross-contamination may occur with added flavorings, so verify labels.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 45 calories, 0 g fat, 11 g carbohydrates, 0 g protein.

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Pour, strain, and serve your homemade kombucha-style drinks chilled for the brightest flavor and fizz. Customize each batch for endless refreshing possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use herbal tea instead of black or green tea?

Traditional fermentation depends on black or green tea for necessary nutrients. Herbal tea alone may not support proper fermentation, but you can blend it with classic tea for flavor.

→ How do I know when fermentation is complete?

Taste daily starting from day five. It's complete when the drink is tangy and slightly fizzy, but not overly sour.

→ What if I don’t have a SCOBY?

You can use 200 ml of unflavored store-bought kombucha as a starter instead, although results may vary slightly.

→ How do I add extra flavor?

Add fresh berries, ginger, citrus, herbs, or spices after removing the SCOBY and before bottling. Let infuse during secondary fermentation.

→ Are these drinks gluten-free and vegan?

Yes, if you use certified gluten-free teas and plant-based ingredients for flavoring, the drinks remain gluten-free and vegan.

→ How much caffeine is in these beverages?

The caffeine content is from the tea base. Use decaffeinated tea for a low-caffeine version.