Love it or hate it, we all know about kombucha by now. The probiotic-rich fermented tea has a ton of health benefits and is a favorite of many — so much so that kombucha co*cktails are a regular fixture in our happy hour rotation. Unfortunately, as with most healthy fads, the stuff usually comes with a *hefty* price tag. The good news is that making your own is easier than you might think, and a heck of a lot more affordable. If you’re tired of paying $5 a pop for yours, keep reading to discover 14 delicious homemade kombucha recipes that will take you from clueless newbie to health guru.
1. Homemade Berry Lemonade Kombucha: If you’re addicted to soda and other sugary drinks, this kombucha might be the transition you need to wean yourself off of them. The fizz will remind you of your favorite carbonated drink, and the sweet and sour flavor will feed the need for flavor. (via Live Simply)
2. Apple Cider Kombucha: This fall-inspired recipe is perfect for those who love the comforting spices typical of the season. It’s made by simply combining unsweetened spiced apple cider with a kombucha base, so you can switch up the flavors as you see fit. (via The Roasted Root)
3. Blueberry Mojito Kombucha: It doesn’t get much more refreshing than blueberry and mint. Plan the brew a few days in advance and you could be sipping these bad boys by the pool with very little effort. (via Making Thyme for Health)
4. Carrot Kombucha: Kombucha is known for being good for your gut, but adding carrot takes it one step further. This blend is antioxidant-rich and full of vitamin A, which will help keep your body running at optimal performance. (via Cultured Food Life)
5. Cinnamon Spice Kombucha: You know you’ve reached a certain age when you’ve traded in your Fireball whiskey for cinnamon spice kombucha. We may be old, but at least we’re regular, right? (via Nourished Kitchen)
6. Copycat Gingerberry Kombucha: If you’re already a big kombucha fan, you may be familiar with this flavor combination. The at-home version is made with blueberries and ginger and tastes scarily similar to the ones you’ll find in health food stores — except this one won’t break the bank. (via The Roasted Root)
7. Elderberry Kombucha: Dried elderberries add great flavor and additional fizz to this tasty kombucha. Plus, it naturally helps boost immunity while keeping you hydrated and happy. (via Naturally Loriel)
8. How to Brew Your Own Kombucha: Once you know how to make your own master kombucha brew, the flavor options are endless. Whether you’re a mint and lime or a coconut-pineapple kind of a person, there’s a kombucha flavor that you’re bound to love. (via Brit + Co)
9. Dandelion and Fennel Kombucha: When deciding how to flavor your kombucha, you may want to consider any health problems you have. Dandelion and fennel are both great digestive aids, so if that’s an issue for you, this one may be in your belly’s best interest. (via The Herbal Academy)
10. Ginger Kombucha: Ginger stands up well to the assertiveness of kombucha and is soothing to the stomach. One sip of this and you can say goodbye to any nausea you may have. (via The Kitchn)
11. Hibiscus Tea Kombucha: It’s important to start your kombucha brew with black or green tea, but adding dried hibiscus flowers after the fact gives the drink a sweet floral taste. If you have kids that want to try kombucha for the first time, this would be a choice that they’ll love. (via Cultured Food Life)
12. Kombucha Lemonade: An Arnold Palmer is half tea and half lemonade, so it only makes sense that you could do the same with fermented tea. Tons of fresh lemon juice replaces sugary lemonade to keep the drink even more healthy. (via Fit Foodie Finds)
13. Raspberry Lime Kombucha: Even healthy drinks like kombucha can still have added sugar in the store-bought varieties. This one is flavored and sweetened only with fresh raspberries and lime, making it Paleo-friendly. (via Paleo Running Momma)
14. Strawberry Basil Kombucha: You can’t say no to a thirst-quenching strawberry-basil drink. The pairing of fresh herbs with fruit is simply irresistible all year long. (via The Roasted Root)
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Paige Johnson
Paige is a blogger, food writer and culinary master from Louisville, Ky. She's a newlywed who's obsessed with dogs and renovating her 117 year old home. When she's not working on her blog — My Modern Cookery — you can find her binge watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S with a triple shot latte in-hand.
FAQs
How to drink kombucha for weight loss? The recommended amount varies based on individual goals, but 1-2 cups daily is commonly suggested. If considering kombucha for weight loss as a part of your regimen, it's crucial to select a low-sugar variety and consume it judiciously.
How do I make my own kombucha? ›
How to Make Your First Batch of Kombucha
- Brew Tea. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a 4-quart pot. ...
- Sweeten It. Remove the tea bags and add 1 cup of organic cane sugar and a half-gallon (8 cups) of cold water. ...
- Transfer to a Jar. ...
- Add the SCOBY. ...
- Cover It. ...
- Wait & Watch. ...
- Try it! ...
- Transfer Your SCOBY.
Kombucha tea has caused stomach upset, infections and allergic reactions in some people. Kombucha tea is often made (brewed) in homes under unclean conditions. This makes it likely that bad bacteria can grow. Also, when the tea is made with ceramic pots that have lead in them, lead poisoning happens.
What happens when you first start drinking kombucha? ›
Some people may experience digestive upset when drinking kombucha, or from drinking too much. Symptoms such as gas, nausea, and vomiting may occur. These side effects may be more likely in people who drink too much kombucha.
Does kombucha burn belly fat? ›
Does kombucha help you lose belly fat? While kombucha can be a part of a healthy weight-loss journey, there's no magic solution for losing belly fat. Kombucha may support overall weight management by supporting digestion and gut health, but it's not a stand-alone solution for targeting belly fat.
How long do you have to drink kombucha to see benefits? ›
Factoring in all of the above, making fermented foods part of our routine, alongside a plant-rich diet means we could potentially see a difference within a few weeks. With that being said, it should be noted that there are more immediate benefits we could also expect.
What tea to use for kombucha? ›
Black tea is an excellent choice for making kombucha. To produce black tea, the tea leaves are oxidized. This transformation creates all the necessary nutrients for kombucha microorganisms. On the market, black tea can be found under several names: Darjeeling, Assam, Ceylon, English breakfast, Orange Pekoe, etc.
How many times can you reuse SCOBY? ›
A kombucha scoby is a starter culture that enables you to start fermenting kombucha. The beauty of it is that it can be reused endlessly!
How to make kombucha at home for beginners? ›
Instructions
- Make Tea: Bring water to a boil in a clean pot. ...
- Add Starter: Pour the sweetened tea into your jar(s), then pour store-bought kombucha in (if you're using two jars, pour ½ of the store bought kombucha into each).
- Ferment: Cover with a few layers of the tightly woven cloth and secure with a rubber band.
Most kombucha side effects happen for one of two reasons: The amount of beverage consumed. Because this is a probiotic drink, drinking too much might lead to an upset digestive system. And because sugar is involved, overconsumption can also lead to too much sugar intake.
Kombucha Health Benefits
It's also said to boost your immune system, help you lose weight, ward off high blood pressure and heart disease, and prevent cancer. But there's not a lot of evidence to support these claims. Fermented products in general are good for the microbiome and gut health.
What is the controversy with kombucha? ›
Lead poisoning has been reported in instances of kombucha tea being fermented in lead-glazed ceramic containers. Fungal and bacterial contaminants are common, with more than 20 cases of cutaneous anthrax as well as liver damage and allergic reactions reported.
Who shouldn't drink kombucha? ›
Pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, and individuals with liver or kidney disease, HIV, impaired immune systems, and alcohol dependency should avoid kombucha. For others, kombucha is a wonderfully refreshing beverage that has many benefits, when made safely and consumed moderately.
Will kombucha show up on a drug test? ›
Fermented products/fermented beverages (such as Kombucha) can have alcohol content percentages often above 0.5% and at higher unregulated levels which could result in a positive screen for alcohol.
Are 2 bottles of kombucha a day too much? ›
To reap the benefits of kombucha without consuming too many calories, limit your intake to one to two 8-ounce (240-ml) servings per day. It's important to note that most kombucha bottles contain two servings — 16 ounces or about 480 ml.
Should I drink a whole bottle of kombucha a day? ›
How much kombucha is OK to drink? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that drinking approximately 4 ounces (oz) of kombucha per day “may not cause adverse effects in healthy persons.” Note that most kombucha bottles sold at the store are more than 4 oz.
Should you drink kombucha on an empty stomach or with food? ›
Drink kombucha when you feel like it. On an empty stomach, you will enhance its detoxifying effect. Before or after meals, it will improve your digestion thanks to its natural probiotics. If you are especially sensitive to caffeine, we recommend not drinking kombucha in the evening.
Can I drink 32 oz of kombucha a day? ›
However, we advise against consuming more than 32 fluid ounces daily since kombucha acts as a potent detoxifier. Overindulgence could result in unwanted detoxification symptoms.
