Cherry cola kombucha is packed with natural flavor and fizz. It has less sugar than traditional soda and is full of probiotics. Try this unique recipe for your next second fermentation.
If you’re looking for bold cherry cola flavor, cherry cola kombucha is the recipe for you. All you need are fresh or frozen cherries and your homebrewed probiotic kombucha.
Table of Contents
Cherry Cola Kombucha
Total Time: 3 days
Yield: 16 Servings 1x
Description
Enjoy a healthy version of a delicious soda. This cherry kombucha is fizzy and flavorful, without added sugars and carbs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 gallon (14 cups) of unflavored black tea kombucha
- 4 cups (32 ounces) pitted sweet cherries, fresh or frozen
Instructions
- Pulse the cherries in a food processor or blender until they break down.
- Add one cup of kombucha and blend with the cherries until they are pureed and incorporated into the liquid.
- Add the cherry mixture and the rest of the black tea kombucha to a large glass jar. Stir to combine.
- Cover the jar with a cheesecloth and a rubber band.
- Let the cherry kombucha sit at room temperature for 12-24 hours to ferment.
- Pour the mixture through a strainer into a large pot to remove the cherry solids and large kombucha cultures.
- Pour the kombucha into flip-top bottles and cap them tightly. Let sit at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- Refrigerate to stop the fermentation. Serve.
Notes
Fresh or frozen pitted cherries work equally well. Depending on the strength of your blender, you may prefer to thaw your frozen cherries slightly before blending. USDA organic cherries are ideal if you can find them.
Add 1/4 cup cherry juice to your cherry mixture in step 3 above for a more intense cherry flavor.
Black tea kombucha works best, but you can also use green or white tea kombucha.
Add a splash of vanilla for a cherry-vanilla kombucha.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Fermenting Time: 72 hours
What Does Cherry Cola Kombucha Taste Like?
Cherry cola kombucha has a bold, sweet cherry flavor. It has a classic cola taste and plenty of fizz, making it a healthy substitute for cherry soda. The intense flavor of black tea kombucha complements the strong taste of the cherries. If you use green or white tea kombucha, the lighter tea flavors will further enhance the sweet cherry flavor.
Health Benefits of Cherry Cola Kombucha
Kombucha is a good source of B vitamins and probiotics. One serving of kombucha provides over 100% of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin B12. B Vitamins help improve your mood, keep your heart healthy, and promote the growth of your red blood cells. Kombucha also aids digestion and helps promote a healthy gut. It is naturally gluten-free and vegan and is a low-calorie beverage that typically has a low number of total carbohydrates.
Cherries are a great source of:
- Vitamin C, which is essential for the absorption of iron, as well as for maintaining a healthy immune system and healthy skin.
- Potassium, which helps your body regulate fluid levels, as well as supports good nerve and muscle function.
- Fiber, which helps regulate blood pressure, diversify your gut microbiome, and encourages regular bowel movements.
What Is the Alcohol Content of Cherry Cola Kombucha?
Cherry cola kombucha has a low alcohol content. Most kombucha has an ABV of 0.5 % or less. It’s difficult to know the exact alcohol content of homebrewed kombucha since it doesn’t undergo the same testing as store-bought kombucha.
Generally, the longer you let your kombucha ferment, the higher the alcohol content will be. If you use young, sweet kombucha, the ABV should be below 0.5% and safe for most individuals.
Does Cherry Cola Kombucha Have Caffeine?
Yes, cherry cola kombucha has caffeine, but not much. Kombucha’s main ingredient is tea—tea has caffeine. Most black tea kombucha has between 10 and 15 mg of caffeine per 8 fl oz. Green and white tea kombucha have a lower caffeine content, at around 3-5 mg per 8 fl oz.
The caffeine content in kombucha varies widely, and it is hard to calculate in homemade kombucha. Generally, kombucha has about 1/3 the amount of caffeine in the tea it is made with. Caffeine is necessary for brewing kombucha because it provides the nitrogen needed to stimulate the fermentation of bacteria and yeast.
Is Cherry Cola Kombucha Healthier Than Traditional Cherry Soda?
Cherry cola kombucha is healthier than traditional cherry soda. Cherry soda can have as many as 40 grams of sugar and 40 carbs per bottle. Diet cherry soda has fewer carbs but contains artificial sweeteners.
Cherry cola kombucha has no added sugars and no artificial ingredients. It is lower in caffeine than regular cherry soda, so it won’t cause a slump of energy after you drink it. Cherry soda kombucha is good for your digestive health and helps promote overall wellness. Brew your own cherry cola kombucha with certified organic ingredients to make the healthiest kombucha possible.
Should You Make This Recipe with Young, Sweet Kombucha or Older, Sour Kombucha?
You can make this recipe with either kind of kombucha. Sweet kombucha will add even more sweetness to your finished kombucha. If you have older kombucha that’s a bit too sour to drink, try this recipe. The natural sweetness of the cherries will overcome the sour kombucha taste and yield a drink with a mild, sweet cherry flavor.
On the other hand, if you don’t have the time or desire to make your own cherry cola kombucha, various leading kombucha brands sell similar flavors, including Humm Kombucha. Humm cherry cola energy is infused with more caffeine, averaging 115 mg per serving.