What’s the best Kombucha Flavors?
The scoby might be the real hero when it comes to kombucha – after all, it’s this magical yeast and bacteria compound that turns sweet tea into kombucha after the first fermentation.
But aside from the scoby and the sweet tea, there are multiple ways you can switch up the taste of your kombucha – by adding ingredients that adjust the kombucha flavor. The options are unlimited.
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So to help you along, here are some of the best, most delicious flavors for kombucha we have discovered.
The only question you’ll have left to answer is which flavor combo will you try first?
The Best Kombucha Flavors Involving Fruit
Who doesn’t love a fruity drink or two? These kombucha flavors will get your taste buds tingling in no time, and they’re easy to brew too!
#1: Apple Ginger Kombucha
This homemade kombucha flavor is a warming and homey recipe – it gives a faint apple flavor which comes with a kick thanks to the ginger. If you’re looking for a ginger kombucha flavor, we recommend you start here first; it’s one of our favourite flavor pairings and, in our opinion, one of the best kombucha flavors.
Ingredients include; apple juice and fresh ginger root, which you add to your homemade kombucha on second fermentation, adding additional sugar if necessary to suit your taste preferences.
#2: Lemon and Lime Kombucha
Switch out the apple juice from the recipe above to lemon juice and lime juice to create lemon, lime, and ginger recipes.
Leave out the ginger root for a simple lemon and lime kombucha flavor if that suits your taste preferences better.
#3: Rosemary Grape Kombucha
This delicious combination of sweet grapes and aromatic rosemary creates a heady and smooth Mediterranean vibe that will soothe your soul. You’ll need red grapes and a few sprigs of rosemary.
Puree the grapes before dropping them, along with the rosemary, into your brew when you’re ready for the second fermentation and wait for the magic to happen.
#4: Grapefruit Kombucha
If the zing you get from your kombucha isn’t enough for you, try adding some grapefruit or grapefruit juice to your brew for a refreshing treat.
The grapefruit flavor is milder than you get from pure grapefruit juice, which leans toward more of a grapefruit soda flavor. Nonetheless, it’s very refreshing.
#5: Blackberry Vanilla Kombucha
Any blackberry vanilla recipe conjures up a feeling of love and belonging – perhaps it’s all of those comforting blackberry pies many of us enjoy lovingly made by parents or grandparents.
There’s no denying it, this flavor combo may not be groundbreaking, but it’s oh-so-special. The vanilla, when added to your brew, packs a surprisingly sweet punch. You’ll need to add fresh or frozen blackberries and vanilla beans or extract to your brew to make this recipe.
#6: Cranberry Orange Kombucha
Cranberry orange shouldn’t be a flavor only reserved for Christmas. We should enjoy its vibrant and rich flavorings all year round, and you can with this cranberry orange kombucha recipe.
Add a mix of fresh pulped cranberries and cranberry juice, along with some freshly squeezed orange juice, to your brew at the carbonation stage. Add a few whole cranberries to your finished bottle or glass, along with a slice of orange to garnish.
#7: Mango Lime Kombucha
Mango lime makes a beautiful combination; it’s tropical and refreshing. Try adding other fruit to this combination, too, like papaya. You can make this recipe the same way as you’d make the cranberry orange kombucha but don’t forget to peel your ripe mango. For an extra touch, drizzle some freshly squeezed lime juice into the bottle just before consumption – delicious.
#8: Fresh Orange Juice Kombucha
A simple fruit recipe that elevates your kombucha to a whole new level. You can use orange juice or freshly squeezed oranges (or a combination of the two) for this recipe.
Add at second fermentation and sit back and enjoy the joys of simplicity, and to switch things up, try experimenting with different types of oranges.
#9: Carrot and Apple Kombucha
Ok, so we know carrot isn’t a fruit, but it’s close enough to feature here! Carrot and apple flavor is one of those cult flavorings, and in kombucha, it creates a slightly savory taste. Blend or grate raw carrots and apples and add them to your brew on the secondary fermentation phase. Tip! Try switching the apples for orange juice and adding ginger or turmeric to the mix for additional flavor combos.
#10: Melon Kombucha
Ahhh, the melon, a frequently overlooked or understated fruit that never stops delivering, whether it’s for nutrition, refreshment, or adding to your kombucha, the humble melon will never let you down.
The melon kombucha recipe’s beauty is the diverse flavors that each different type of melon can bring to the table. Try honeydew, watermelon, and cantaloupe for this recipe, but you’ll need to use very ripe melons and less kombucha in the blend because of this fruit’s high water content.
#11: All The Greens Kombucha Recipe
We all know green is good, so why not create a green kombucha recipe? As the name suggests, you can include various green fruit, vegetables, or superfoods – anything goes.
Start with a green tea kombucha, and add your choice of greens. We like adding kiwi, green apple spinach, and spirulina or ginger to our ‘all the greens’ recipe.
The Best Kind Of Kombucha Flavors Involving Spice
If you like a warming, full-flavored experience, try adding spice to your kombucha. Here are some of our favourite spicy brews.
#12: Pomegranate Spice Kombucha Recipe
For a warming sit-by-the-fireplace kombucha recipe, you have to try the pomegranate spice flavor kombucha.
Ingredients include pomegranate juice combined with cinnamon and nutmeg. Add half a teaspoon each of the cinnamon and nutmeg per 12-14 ounces of kombucha.
#13: Chai Spice Kombucha
Forget the chai tea latte; it’s chai spice kombucha’s turn to shine. The fizz combined with a chai spice blend creates a warm and stimulating experience. It’s easier to purchase your chai spice pre-mixed, but if you need to mix it up yourself, you’ll need to blend cloves, cardamom, allspice, and cinnamon. Once you’ve added your chai spice blend, add some vanilla to your brew and when it’s ready, enjoy.
#14: Root Beer Kombucha
For an authentic and old-fashioned root beer flavor, try this recipe. It requires a few more steps than some of the other recipes featured on this list, but trust us; it’s worth it!
To make 16 ounces of root beer kombucha, add 1/4 cup of both sarsaparilla root and wintergreen leaf to a pot of water (approx 6 cups of water, ideally filtered), bring to the boil, simmer for 20 minutes and then strain to make an infusion. Add half a cup of sugar, a tablespoon of molasses, two tablespoons of lime juice, and a teaspoon of vanilla or vanilla extract while your infusion is still warm, then combine with your kombucha after first ferment et voila – you have root beer kombucha.
#15: Pear, Clove, and Ginger
Adding pear, clove, and ginger to your kombucha makes a delicious fall-inspired flavor profile. Though you don’t have to only drink it at fall, it’s great all year round too.
To create this recipe add 8-12 cloves and the same quantity of slices of ginger per fresh pear to your kombucha. We recommend ¼ pear per quart of kombucha.
The Most Unusual Kind Of Kombucha Flavors You Must Try!
Fruit and spices seem like an obvious choice for adding to kombucha. Still, many other, slightly unusual combinations will really get your taste buds tingling, like those listed below:
#16: Choc, Mint Kombucha
Now, stay with us here; for some people, chocolate and mint may not seem to be a good flavor profile for Kombucha, but it’s really good!
All you need is some cocoa powder (dark chocolate or milk) and some peppermint essence to make this recipe. For every 15 ounces of kombucha, add two teaspoons of cocoa powder with half a teaspoon of peppermint essence and sugar at the second fermentation stage.
#17: Lavender Lemon Kombucha
This light and breezy fruit flavor recipe is a real treat. To make you’ll need lavender flowers and lemon juice.
Add them at second fermentation, and your brew will be ready to drink in 2-3 days.
#18: Apple Cider Kombucha
Think sparkling cold cider, and you’ll be close to the taste that this apple cider kombucha will bring to your palette.
To make, add apples, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and honey to your kombucha during the second fermentation.
#19: Chia Seed Kombucha
You could say that this is one of those kombucha recipes that almost creates a kombucha dessert since the chia seeds thicken. Making this delicacy is simple; after the first fermentation, add chia seeds to your preference every ten minutes, stir gently until you reach your desired consistency, then consume immediately.
#20: Hibiscus Kombucha
Hibiscus flowers don’t just add beautiful floral light flavors that contrast perfectly with the tartness of your kombucha; they also turn your kombucha into a beautiful pink color that looks very inviting when decanted into bottles to serve.
#21: Pear and Almond Kombucha
Oooh, this is a delightful combination and reasonably easy to make too. Pear and almond go together so incredibly well and it’s one of our favourite flavor ideas. Blend your almonds to grind them down, chop up a pear and add to your kombucha on second fermentation. Don’t forget to save some pear to garnish your glass bottle upon serving.
#22: Cherry Pie Kombucha
In this kombucha recipe, the almonds and vanilla combine with the cherries to make a flavor profile reminiscent of cherry pie. So, you have to try this recipe at least once in your life.
All you need is fresh or frozen cherries, vanilla extract (or vanilla bean), and some ground almonds. Add these ingredients to your brew on second fermentation, bottle and enjoy!
#23: Peppered Peach Kombucha
As the name suggests, this kombucha recipe combines peaches and peppercorns. It’s an exciting combination that packs a warming punch after you’ve enjoyed the smooth sweetness of the peaches.
To make a gallon of this recipe, add 2 cups of fresh or frozen peaches, one tablespoon of whole black peppercorns, and half a cup of fresh basil leaves.
#24: Chamomile Kombucha
Adding chamomile flowers on second fermentation is an excellent way of flavoring kombucha while enjoying the soothing benefits that come with chamomile brings.
#25: Sweet Dreams Kombucha
If chamomile alone is not the most exciting of recipes for you, try switching it up by adding dried sage, oregano, and basil to the recipe above. This kombucha recipe will soothe your senses and is perfect as a prelude to bedtime.
The Best Kombucha Flavors For Summertime Kombucha Mocktail
You can have it all with kombucha! Here are some of the most delicious, decadent summer kombucha mocktails we could come up with.
#26: Orange Creamsicle
If you don’t like the tart flavor of homemade kombucha, this recipe will soften the blow – and if you do, you’re probably going to enjoy this flavor combo anyway – it’s summer in a bottle!
Brew kombucha to first ferment according to your brewing guide. On the second ferment, add orange juice to your sweet tea along with sugar for carbonation and condense into bottles. When your brew has completed the second fermentation process, pour your kombucha into a large glass, straining as you go, and add a little full-fat canned coconut milk to your preference and enjoy. This recipe also works well with pineapple juice.
#27: Kombucha Lemonade Recipe
Lemonade doesn’t need an introduction; it’s a summertime staple for most people for a good reason.
So we’ll get straight to the recipe – to make 16 ounces of kombucha, add two juiced lemons and two tables of maple syrup when your kombucha is ready to serve. Serve over crushed ice.
#28: Watermelon Mint Kombucha
We feel like this recipe should be a of mocktail – or cocktail if you want to add a touch of vodka to the mix! To do so, serve over some vodka and ice and enjoy. This recipe follows the watermelon recipe shown above. When the second fermentation phase is over, add a healthy dose of muddled mint upon serving in bottles. Use watermelon juice on its own if you prefer.
#29: Lime Mojito Kombucha
Incorporate freshly squeezed lime juice along with some muddled mint either on the second ferment or to your finished kombucha just before serving and enjoy the taste of summer. This is a tasty twist on one of the most classic cocktail recipes out there and looks great in a bottle served with a twist of fresh lime.
#30: Strawberry Basil Kombucha
If lime and mint aren’t your preference, why not try strawberry basil instead. Follow the lime mojito kombucha recipe but switch out the lime and mint for strawberry and basil – it’s not a new flavor but it’s delicious.
One of our best tips is to decant your strawberry kombucha into bottles and serve over ice for best results.
Why Should You Add The Best Kombucha Flavors On Second Fermentation Only
On the first fermentation process, your (starter tea) transforms into a delicious tart batch of kombucha thanks to your kombucha ferments. But it’s on the second fermentation where you add flavor, carbonate your kombucha (by adding the cane sugar) and decant into bottles.
To carbonate your kombucha, you need to add sugar, which feeds on the yeast and bacteria in the kombucha tea and breaks down into carbon dioxide molecules, making the kombucha fizzy (carbonation). Your kombucha needs a second fermentation without the scoby so that it can carbonate because the scoby eats the sugar before it has the chance to break down. Furthermore, adding flavors on first fermentation may not always be healthy for your scoby, so it’s better to add the flavors to the finished kombucha once you’ve removed the scoby – some brewers like to add their flavors directly into the bottles either before or after carbonation.
So when creating the recipes above, you may need to add sugar to taste – especially if you prefer a sweeter experience. If this is your preference, add the sugar just before consumption, after the carbonation process.
Final Verdict
You can flavor homemade kombucha in a multitude of ways, and it’s straightforward to do. The flavor options and flavor pairings are only limited to your imagination – anything goes. You can add pretty much any fresh fruit or fruit juice and combine them with herbs, spices, and edible flowers all it takes is for you to experiment and who knows, you might find a unique but winning flavor profile for your flavored kombucha that nobody else has discovered yet – happy brewing!
