Fermented Drinks Kombucha Mocktails (Printer View)

Craft kombucha-inspired drinks with tea, fruit, and fizz for refreshing, alcohol-free sipping.

# Components:

→ 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 unflavored store-bought kombucha (starter)

→ Flavoring Options

05 - 1/2 cup fresh berries such as raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries
06 - 1 lemon or lime, thinly sliced
07 - 1 piece 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 - Boil 2 quarts of filtered water in a kettle. Add tea bags or loose-leaf tea, and steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags or strain leaves to yield a clear infusion.
02 - Stir granulated sugar into hot tea until fully dissolved. Allow sweetened tea to cool completely to room temperature to prevent harm to fermentation culture.
03 - Transfer cooled sweet tea to a large, sterilized glass jar. Add the kombucha SCOBY and starter liquid or store-bought kombucha.
04 - Secure the jar with a clean cloth or paper towel and a rubber band. Set at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, and ferment undisturbed for 5–7 days.
05 - After five days, taste the beverage daily. It is ready for next steps when it’s mildly tangy and produces gentle fizz, without excessive sourness.
06 - Carefully remove the SCOBY and 3/4 cup kombucha to reserve for the following batch. Incorporate selected fruits, herbs, or spices according to preference.
07 - Transfer flavored kombucha into clean bottles, leaving 1 inch headspace. Seal tightly and ferment at room temperature for an additional 1–3 days for enhanced effervescence.
08 - Move bottles to the refrigerator once the desired level of carbonation has developed. Strain out solid flavorings prior to serving for a bright, refreshing mocktail.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Alcohol-free mocktail with satisfying fizz
  • Customizable flavors using fruit, herbs, and spices
02 -
  • Always use glass or BPA-free plastic containers; metal can react with fermentation
  • For a sweeter drink, reduce fermentation time; for a tangier flavor, ferment longer
03 -
  • Try creative flavor combinations like ginger-lime, berry-mint, or apple-cinnamon
  • Serve over ice with a splash of sparkling water and garnish with fresh herbs or citrus for a mocktail experience

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