Feeling under the weather? Allow the smooth and soothing taste of chamomile lemon kombucha to get you back on your feet. This floral and slightly citrusy recipe packs a nutritional probiotic punch, making it the perfect companion for breakfast, lunch, or a mid-afternoon treat.
This unique kombucha recipe uses dried chamomile leaves to infuse your tea with an earthy flavor that is complemented by zingy lemon flavors. Because chamomile flowers are caffeine-free, this drink has minimal caffeine.
Table of Contents
Chamomile Lemon Kombucha
Total Time: 2 days
Yield: 16 Servings 1x
Description
Chamomile lemon kombucha is a fantastic drink to sip at any time of the day. The calming properties of the chamomile are ever-present in this kombucha, while the sweet and citrusy taste of the lemons provides a nice, zesty kick.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 teaspoons dried chamomile flowers
- 6 ounces of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 15 1⁄4 cups green tea kombucha
Instructions
- Evenly divide the chamomile leaves among eight 16-ounce glass bottles.
- Divide the lemon juice as well, adding about a tablespoon per bottle.
- Fill each bottle with green tea kombucha. Maintain an inch of headspace.
- Cap the bottles and allow them to ferment at room temperature (around 72°F) for 48 hours for optimal carbonation.
- Strain out the flowers, small yeast strands, and kombucha culture, if desired.
- Put the kombucha in the fridge for 6 hours until chilled and ready to serve.
Notes
Green tea is the best tea base for this recipe because it allows the chamomile flavor to shine through. However, white or oolong tea would be good substitutes. Black tea is an option but may overpower the delicate flavors.
You can add other ingredients like dried hibiscus and ginger for additional flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Fermenting Time: 48 hours
What Does Chamomile Lemon Kombucha Taste Like?
Chamomile lemon kombucha is bubbly with light and palatable sweetness. Much of the flavor can be traced back to the chamomile leaf infusion, which is earthy and slightly bitter. In addition, the generous inclusion of lemon juice also brings out a slightly tart and zesty taste.
Among other kombucha recipes, this one’s unique with its mellow, floral undertones. The tart flavor of the kombucha base elevates the natural flavor of the drink even more, providing a pleasant, herbaceous aftertaste.
Health Benefits of Chamomile Lemon Kombucha
Kombucha is brimming with beneficial bacteria for your digestive system’s microbiome. The most notable health benefits you’ll receive from drinking a bottle of kombucha are improved digestion efficiency, better immune health, and enhanced energy.
Chamomile lemon kombucha, having a different flavor profile, possesses some unique properties that set it apart from other kombucha flavors, including the following:
- Chamomile contains antioxidants that fight free radical damage and inflammation.
- Lemon juice and chamomile supplement help to lower blood sugar.
- Chamomile contains enzymes that minimize the risk of inflammation.
- Chamomile’s soothing properties help people relax and quickly fall asleep.
- Chamomile and lemon have skin-healing properties.
- The antioxidants and diuretic properties of lemon juice prevent the formation of kidney stones.
- Lemon juice’s high fiber content and chamomile’s diuretic properties help facilitate weight loss treatments.
How Many Calories Are in Chamomile Lemon Kombucha?
Chamomile lemon kombucha is a low-calorie drink, with approximately 34 calories per 8 oz serving. Chamomile and lemon have next to no calories—the majority of the calories come from the green tea kombucha.
How Much Caffeine Is in Chamomile Lemon Kombucha?
This recipe is made with green tea, which has minimal caffeine compared to other tea varieties, and chamomile flowers are caffeine-free. An 8 oz serving of chamomile lemon kombucha contains approximately 10 mg of caffeine. Chamomile contains a sleep-inducing antioxidant called apigenin, which might make you feel sleepy after the drink rather than energized.
What Can You Substitute Dried Chamomile Leaves With?
No chamomile? No problem! Try other dried flower varieties like dried hibiscus or dried lavender. These ingredients add a floral taste to the equally delicious kombucha.
Another potential substitute for chamomile is something everyone is likely to have at home, ginger. Ginger is a warm root crop that’s known for its spicy flavor. Adding a teaspoon or two of ginger to your lemon kombucha makes a delicious and fizzy drink.
Can You Brew Kombucha With Chamomile Tea?
I don’t recommend brewing kombucha with chamomile tea. Chamomile tea doesn’t have caffeine, which provides nitrogen for the SCOBY and jumpstarts fermentation. In addition, herbaceous teas contain natural oils and antioxidants that can interfere with the brewing process. In the worst case, these substances can introduce bacteria to your kombucha brew, making it moldy.
Stick to oolong, green, or black tea when fermenting your drink, then add chamomile as a flavoring agent during the second fermentation.
Should You Make This Recipe with Young, Sweet Kombucha or Older, Sour Kombucha?
I prefer to use younger kombucha for this recipe. Older booch tends to be too acidic and excessively tart, even with sweeteners. While some enjoy the tartness of sour kombucha, the sweetness of young kombucha allows the chamomile to stand out.