Fermented Kombucha-Style Mocktails (Printable)

Naturally fermented kombucha drinks, creatively flavored, offer fruity, herbal, and gently fizzy refreshment.

# Components:

→ Basic Kombucha-Style Base

01 - 2 quarts filtered water
02 - 8 black or green tea bags or 2 tablespoons loose-leaf tea
03 - 1 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 kombucha SCOBY or 3/4 cup (200 ml) unflavored kombucha for starter

→ Flavoring Options (choose 1–2 per batch)

05 - 3.5 ounces fresh berries (raspberries, blueberries, 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:

01 - Bring 2 quarts 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 - While hot, stir in the granulated sugar until fully dissolved. Let cool to room temperature to preserve live cultures.
03 - Pour cooled sweetened tea into a large clean glass jar. Add the SCOBY and starter liquid or unflavored kombucha.
04 - Cover jar with a clean cloth or paper towel secured with a rubber band. Place the jar at room temperature out of direct sunlight for 5–7 days.
05 - Taste daily starting on day 5. When the beverage is tangy and lightly fizzy, proceed to the next step.
06 - Remove the SCOBY and reserve 3/4 cup kombucha as starter for next batch. Add selected fruits, herbs, or spices to the fermented liquid.
07 - Transfer flavored kombucha into clean bottles using a funnel, leaving 1 inch headspace. Seal bottles tightly and ferment at room temperature for 1–3 days to build carbonation.
08 - Refrigerate bottles when desired fizz is reached. Strain out solid flavorings before pouring. Serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Enjoys tangy fizz without alcohol
  • Customizable flavors make it endlessly fun
02 -
  • Always use glass or BPA-free plastic containers; metal can react with fermentation
  • For sweeter drink, reduce fermentation time; for tangier flavor, ferment longer
03 -
  • Try creative combinations like ginger lime or berry mint
  • Serve over ice with splash of sparkling water and garnish with fresh herbs or citrus

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