Save to Pinterest 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 tried making these mocktail kombucha drinks for a gathering, and everyone loved experimenting with new flavors together. The gentle fizz and bright fruity scents made each sip feel festive.
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 kombucha
- 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 stick or 3–4 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 tea is hot, stir in the sugar until dissolved. Cool to room temperature before proceeding.
- Combine and ferment:
- Pour cooled sweet tea into a clean glass jar. Add the SCOBY and starter liquid.
- Cover and ferment:
- Cover jar with clean cloth or paper towel and secure with rubber band. Store at room temperature, away from sunlight, for 5–7 days.
- Check and taste:
- After 5 days, taste daily. When brew is tangy and slightly fizzy, it is ready.
- Flavor and bottle:
- Remove SCOBY and 200 ml kombucha for your next batch. Add chosen flavorings to the kombucha.
- Bottle and carbonate:
- Pour into clean bottles with 2–3 cm headspace. Seal tightly and ferment 1–3 days for more fizz.
- Refrigerate and serve:
- After desired carbonation, refrigerate bottles and strain flavorings before serving.
Save to Pinterest My kids love sipping these drinks at family picnics and inventing their own fruity mix-ins. It has become our favorite way to toast together, no matter the season.
Required Tools
Large glass jar (2–3 liters), fine mesh strainer, funnel, clean glass bottles with tight lids, and measuring cups and spoons are needed for making these drinks.
Allergen Information
Contains caffeine from tea. If using flavored teas, may contain traces of gluten. Adding extra flavorings could introduce other allergens, so check all labels.
Nutritional Information
Each serving has about 45 calories, 0 g fat, 11 g carbohydrates, and 0 g protein.
Save to Pinterest Fermented drinks are a fun, hands-on project with a delicious reward your whole family will love. Enjoy bright flavors and a festive fizz, all alcohol-free.
Common Recipe Questions
- → How long does fermentation take?
Initial fermentation usually takes 5–7 days. Extra carbonation requires 1–3 additional days after bottling.
- → What can I use to flavor the drinks?
Use fresh fruits like berries, citrus slices, herbs such as mint or basil, dried spices, or juices for unique flavors.
- → Do I need a SCOBY for the process?
Yes, a kombucha SCOBY or starter liquid is essential for successful fermentation and achieving traditional flavor.
- → Is it possible to make caffeine-free versions?
Choose decaffeinated or herbal teas instead of black/green tea for a caffeine-free base.
- → How do I know when it's ready to drink?
Taste daily after day 5. It should be tangy and gently fizzy. Bottle once preferred flavor is reached.
- → Can I create different flavor combinations?
Absolutely! Mix fruits, herbs, and spices for creative blends like apple-cinnamon or berry-mint.