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Hard Kombucha

A delightful blend of flavors and a fun way to experiment with brewing at home, resulting in a refreshing and effervescent beverage packed with probiotics.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: Fermented
Calories: 30
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 4-6 tea bags black or green tea
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 cup starter kombucha unflavored, store-bought
  • SCOBY Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast
  • Flavorings fruits, herbs, or spices to taste

Equipment

  • 1 gallon glass jar or fermentation vessel
  • Cheesecloth or coffee filter
  • Rubber band or string
  • Stirring spoon
  • Bottles for storage (with caps)
  • Funnel (optional)

Method
 

  1. Boil 8 cups of water and steep 4-6 tea bags for about 10 minutes.
  2. Remove the tea bags and stir in 1 cup of sugar until dissolved.
  3. Let the sweet tea cool to room temperature.
  4. Pour the cooled tea into your fermentation vessel, add 1 cup of starter kombucha and gently place the SCOBY on top.
  5. Cover the jar with cheesecloth or a coffee filter, securing it with a rubber band.
  6. Store the jar in a warm, dark place for 7-14 days, tasting periodically until it reaches your desired balance of sweetness and tartness.
  7. Remove the SCOBY and reserve it for your next batch, then add flavorings such as fruits or herbs and stir gently.
  8. Using a funnel, pour the kombucha into bottles, leaving some space at the top; seal the bottles and let them sit at room temperature for another 3-5 days to carbonate.

Notes

Always keep a little kombucha from your last batch to use as a starter for the next one!