My journey to mixing up kombucha cocktails started six years in the past in an enthralling West Hollywood kitchen. It was there, amidst the inexperienced and yellow tiles straight outta the ’60s, that I began brewing my very own kombucha. I had turn out to be hooked on the drink’s probiotic prowess years prior—as soon as I obtained over the preliminary shock of the vinegary taste. Who is aware of what set me on this curiosity quest to willingly develop—and drink!—micro organism in my own residence, however it was a profitable experiment that I’ve continued to today. (Not counting that point I used to be in my first trimester and couldn’t toss that blubbery-looking SCOBY quick sufficient, in fact.)
My husband and I even tried brewing alcoholic kombucha in the course of the pandemic. (Sure, brewing alcohol was my Pandemic Mission. That and… quilting. It was a bizarre time.) The science of alcoholic kombucha is kind of complicated, so I threw out the pH strips and we ended up “testing” the alcohol ranges anecdotally. And by that I imply—ingesting our newest brew on an empty abdomen and asking one another, “Do you are feeling something?” till one in every of us claimed we did. Once more, a bizarre (if not kinda enjoyable) time.
Today, we merely go for kombucha in its purest kind for what I would name the proper mix-in. It’s fizzy, it’s fermented, it’s flavorful—the three F’s of a scrumptious cocktail ingredient. However first…
Are you able to combine alcohol with kombucha?
Sure, you possibly can completely combine alcohol and kombucha. ‘Booch makes for a scrumptious bubbly mixer, particularly whenever you experiment with completely different flavors and liquor combos. The marginally acidic, fruity fermented taste pairs effectively with tequila, rum, gin, vodka, whiskey, and mezcal. It’s an ingredient ripe for experimentation.
Are kombucha cocktails wholesome?
Whereas kombucha touts main well being advantages due to its low sugar content material alongside an array of antioxidants and probiotics, should you’re including alcohol to the combination then it’s not precisely wholesome. (Learn up on how alcohol impacts your intestine.) Nevertheless, kombucha is a superior choice to sugar-laden, artificially flavored mixers any day. Curious to know extra about alcohol and diet? Right here’s a deep dive into the truth about girls and alcohol. TL;DR it’s typically secure for girls to devour one alcoholic beverage a day—and a kombucha cocktail is a scrumptious choice.
3 Kombucha Cocktail Recipes
After a lot experimentation (it’s a tough job, I do know), I landed on three basic cocktail recipes with a kombucha twist. Learn on for a fermented take in your faves: a Paloma, spicy margarita, and naturally, a Moscow mule.
Kombucha Paloma Recipe
Components:
2 ounces tequila
2 ounces recent grapefruit juice, plus wedges for garnish
½ ounce lime juice
¼ ounce agave nectar
2 ounces unique or grapefruit kombucha
Ice
Instructions: In a cocktail shaker, add tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave nectar, and ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Pressure and pour right into a glass over ice. High with kombucha. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit and rosemary. That is additionally scrumptious with smoked rosemary. Gentle a sprig of rosemary then cowl with the glass for 30 seconds.
Spicy Kombucha Margarita Recipe
Components:
2 ounces tequila
¼ to ½ sliced jalapeño
1 ounce agave nectar
1 ounce recent lime juice
3 ounces pineapple kombucha
Instructions: In a cocktail shaker muddle jalapeño then add tequila, lime juice, agave nectar, and ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Pressure and pour right into a glass over ice. High with kombucha. Garnish with a pineapple leaf, dehydrated lime, and chili salt. Alternatively to the jalapeño, you possibly can combine 1 ounce of Mike’s Sizzling Honey with lime juice then shake with tequila and ice.
Kombucha Moscow Mule Recipe
Components:
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce recent lime juice
1 ounce agave nectar
4 ounces ginger kombucha
Ice, mint for garnish
Instructions: In a glass or mug, combine vodka, lime juice, and agave nectar. Add ice and high with kombucha. Garnish with lime and mint. Be aware: it’s also possible to scale as much as make this a batched cocktail.
