Welcome to the wonderful world of homemade kombucha! If you’re looking for a refreshing, probiotic-rich beverage that’s entirely plant-based, then this vegan kombucha recipe is perfect for you.
Kombucha is a naturally fermented tea drink that offers a tangy flavor and numerous health benefits, including improved digestion and a boost to your immune system. Making kombucha at home allows you to customize flavors and control the fermentation process, ensuring a delicious, crisp drink every time.
This recipe is straightforward and uses only vegan ingredients, making it accessible for anyone following a plant-based lifestyle. Whether you’re new to brewing kombucha or a seasoned fermenter, this guide will walk you through everything—from essential equipment to fermentation tips—so you can enjoy your very own batch of homemade kombucha.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This vegan kombucha recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a healthy, bubbly beverage without any animal-derived additives. Kombucha’s natural fermentation process creates a probiotic powerhouse that supports gut health, aids digestion, and can even enhance your mood.
Plus, making your own kombucha is environmentally friendly and cost-effective compared to store-bought options.
Another reason to love this recipe is the flexibility it offers. You can experiment with various tea bases and flavorings, making each batch uniquely yours.
It’s also a fun and rewarding project that connects you with the ancient tradition of fermentation.
Ready to embark on your kombucha brewing journey? Let’s dive into the ingredients and equipment needed to get started!
Ingredients
- 1 gallon filtered water (chlorine-free)
- 1 cup organic cane sugar
- 8 bags black or green tea (or a mix)
- 2 cups unflavored, unpasteurized store-bought kombucha (as starter culture)
- 1 SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast)
Equipment
- 1-gallon glass jar (avoid metal or plastic)
- Cloth cover or breathable coffee filter
- Rubber band (to secure cover)
- Stainless steel pot to boil water
- Wooden or plastic stirring spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Glass bottles with airtight lids for bottling
- Thermometer (optional) to check tea temperature
- Funnel for bottling (optional but helpful)
Instructions
- Boil the water: In your stainless steel pot, bring 1 gallon of filtered water to a boil. Once boiling, remove from heat.
- Dissolve sugar: Stir in 1 cup of organic cane sugar until completely dissolved. Sweetness is essential for fermentation.
- Steep the tea: Add 8 tea bags to the hot water. Let steep for about 10-15 minutes to extract flavor and nutrients.
- Cool the tea: Remove tea bags and allow the sweetened tea to cool to room temperature (around 70-75°F or 21-24°C). This prevents killing the SCOBY.
- Transfer to jar: Pour the cooled tea into your 1-gallon glass jar.
- Add starter kombucha and SCOBY: Gently add 2 cups of unflavored, unpasteurized kombucha and place the SCOBY on top of the liquid.
- Cover and secure: Cover the jar with a breathable cloth or coffee filter and secure with a rubber band. This keeps out dust and insects but allows airflow.
- Ferment: Place the jar in a warm, dark spot (ideally 70-80°F) for 7-14 days. The longer it ferments, the more tart and less sweet it becomes. Taste periodically starting day 7.
- Remove SCOBY: Once the kombucha reaches your preferred balance of sweetness and tartness, remove the SCOBY and 2 cups of kombucha to use as starter for your next batch.
- Bottle the kombucha: Pour the remaining kombucha into glass bottles using a funnel. You may add flavorings like fruit juice or herbs at this stage.
- Second fermentation (optional): Seal bottles tightly and leave at room temperature for 2-5 days to build carbonation. Refrigerate afterward to slow fermentation.
- Enjoy: Serve chilled and savor your homemade vegan kombucha!
Tips & Variations
“Always use non-metal utensils and containers when handling kombucha to protect the SCOBY and maintain its health.”
Here are some tips to make your kombucha brewing experience even better:
- Use filtered water: Chlorine or fluoride can harm the SCOBY, so use filtered or spring water.
- Keep it warm: Kombucha ferments best between 70-80°F. Use a fermentation heater or a warm spot in your home.
- Flavoring ideas: Add fresh ginger, berries, hibiscus, or citrus zest during the second fermentation for exciting new flavors.
- Tea blends: Try mixing black and green tea for a balanced taste and optimal nutrients.
- Storage: Store SCOBYs in a SCOBY hotel (a jar with starter tea) to keep them healthy between batches.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Per 8 oz Serving |
---|---|
Calories | 30-50 |
Carbohydrates | 8-12 g |
Sugar | 2-6 g (varies with fermentation time) |
Probiotics | Varies, contains live cultures |
Caffeine | 10-15 mg |
Vitamin C | Trace amounts |
Note: Nutritional content can vary based on fermentation length and flavor additions.
Serving Suggestions
Kombucha is incredibly versatile and pairs well with many dishes. Enjoy it chilled as a refreshing drink on its own or use it as a mixer in creative cocktails and mocktails.
Try pairing this tangy beverage with light salads or vegan wraps for a perfect lunch. For something heartier, it complements spicy dishes or grilled vegetables beautifully.
Looking for more delicious recipes to complement your kombucha? Check out our Blackberry Juicing Recipes for fresh fruit drink ideas, or explore our 50 Cupcake Recipes for vegan desserts that pair wonderfully with kombucha’s tang.
Conclusion
Making vegan kombucha at home is a rewarding experience that brings both health benefits and delicious flavors to your kitchen. This recipe offers a simple, accessible way to brew your own probiotic-rich drink using only plant-based ingredients.
With just a handful of supplies and your trusty SCOBY, you can create endless variations to suit your taste buds.
Not only does homemade kombucha support your digestive health, but it also encourages sustainability by reducing plastic waste from store-bought bottles. Whether you drink it straight, flavor it with fresh fruits, or incorporate it into creative recipes, kombucha is sure to become a staple in your vegan lifestyle.
Ready to keep exploring? Dive into more tasty and wholesome recipes like our Bread And Gravy Recipe or the hearty Best Spg Seasoning Recipe to round out your culinary repertoire.
📖 Recipe Card: Vegan Kombucha Recipe
Description: A refreshing and tangy fermented tea that's completely plant-based. Perfect for a probiotic-rich homemade beverage.
Prep Time: PT10M
Cook Time: PT0M
Total Time: PT168H10M
Servings: 1 gallon
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic cane sugar
- 8 bags black tea or green tea (no added flavors)
- 14 cups filtered water
- 1 cup unflavored vegan kombucha starter or previous batch
- 1 SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast)
- Optional: 1/2 cup fruit juice or herbs for flavoring (secondary fermentation)
Instructions
- Boil 4 cups of water and dissolve the sugar in it.
- Steep tea bags in hot water for 10 minutes, then remove bags.
- Add remaining 10 cups of cold filtered water to cool the tea.
- Pour sweetened tea into a glass jar and add vegan kombucha starter.
- Gently place SCOBY on top of the tea mixture.
- Cover jar with breathable cloth and secure with rubber band.
- Ferment at room temperature (68-78°F) for 7 days.
- Remove SCOBY and reserve 1 cup kombucha for next batch.
- Bottle kombucha and optionally add flavorings for secondary fermentation.
- Seal bottles and ferment 2-3 days for carbonation, then refrigerate.
Nutrition: Calories: 30 | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Carbs: 7g
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