There's no shortage of amazing kombucha flavors out there, and one which I find myself drawn to time and time again is citrus rosemary kombucha. This kombucha has the perfect balance of citrus and woodsy notes thanks to its carefully-selected ingredient list.
This refreshing citrus rosemary kombucha recipe is the perfect energy provider! The combination of tangy citrus and aromatic rosemary presents an addictive blend that can be enjoyed day and night. Follow the recipe instructions below to make an amazing gluten-free DIY kombucha.
Table of Contents
Citrus Rosemary Kombucha
Total Time: 2 days
Yield: 16 Servings 1x
Description
There’s nothing quite as refreshing as grapefruit and rosemary. This recipe balances the two flavors while adding fizz and probiotics from kombucha tea and an extra boost of energy from freshly-brewed green tea.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups water
- 4 green tea bags
- 6 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 2 grapefruits, halved and deseeded
- 1⁄2 cup pure cane sugar
- 12 cups green tea kombucha
Instructions
- Boil water in a small pot. Once boiling, turn off the heat.
- Steep the green tea bags in the water for 8 minutes. Cover it with a lid.
- Remove the tea bags from the pot, extracting them one last time by pressing them with a spoon.
- Add cane sugar and stir generously. Then add the rosemary.
- Strain and squeeze 2 grapefruit halves into the mixture to get the juice.
- Dice the pulp of the other grapefruit halves and add the pulp to the tea.
- In a gallon-sized container, mix the grapefruit and green tea mixture with the green tea kombucha. Stir to combine.
- If the mixture isn’t already in a container with a tight-fitting lid, transfer it into one (or multiple). Seal it with an airtight lid.
- Leave the container out at room temperature at about 72°F for 2 days.
- Refrigerate the beverage for 6 hours. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Green tea kombucha is recommended, but black, oolong, or white tea kombucha bases are also great choices.
If you don’t have fresh grapefruits, you can use 1 cup of grapefruit juice as a substitute.
You can use dried rosemary- for every 3 tablespoons of fresh rosemary, use 1 tablespoon of dried rosemary.
Do your best to use organic rosemary and grapefruit for optimal health benefits.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Fermenting Time: 48 hours
What Does Citrus Rosemary Kombucha Taste Like?
Citrus rosemary kombucha is a tart-sweet drink that blends the woody and herbaceous flavor of rosemary with the bright acidity of the grapefruit. It has a light, dry finish that makes it ideal for slow afternoons or as a mealtime companion.
While grapefruit naturally has a bitter taste due to having high amounts of naringin, the addition of cane sugar helps cut through the bitterness.
Furthermore, the green tea kombucha adds carbonation and slightly more acid and sweetness. The final result is a balanced drink that you can confidently share with your loved ones.
7 Health Benefits of Citrus Rosemary Kombucha
Kombucha has millions of live probiotics that promote gut health; in fact, its live culture content is one of the main reasons why this detoxifying tonic has achieved a cult following in the first place!
That said, the health benefits of citrus rosemary kombucha aren’t only limited to its kombucha base. The combination of citrus and rosemary provides additional health properties that are also worth mentioning, including the following:
- Aids in digestion
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Aids in weight loss
- Strengthens the immune system
- Helps reduce stress and anxiety
- Improved blood circulation
- Reduces heart disease risk
Furthermore, the vitamin content of the ingredients is quite varied. Grapefruit is rich in vitamins A and C, for instance. It also contains traces of potassium, thiamine, folate, fiber, and magnesium.
How Many Calories Are in Citrus Rosemary Kombucha?
For every 8 oz serving of citrus rosemary kombucha, you can expect to consume about 70 calories. Approximately 30 calories come from the green tea kombucha, 25 from the added sugar, and 15 from the grapefruit.
Because this is a second fermentation recipe, you can use a different type of sweetener to save a few calories. Try aspartame or sucralose, but keep in mind that the flavor of your finished tea will be altered.
How Much Caffeine Is in Citrus Rosemary Kombucha?
Assuming we’re equally dividing the drink among 16 bottles, each 8 oz serving of citrus rosemary kombucha contains around 20 mg of caffeine.
Green tea kombucha, on its own, has a caffeine content of about 10 mg per 8 oz serving (possibly less). Adding freshly brewed, unfermented green tea to the kombucha adds approximately 10 more milligrams of caffeine to each serving.
Can You Use Caffeine-Free Green Tea in This Recipe?
Yes, it’s possible to use decaf or caffeine-free green tea in this recipe, but only for the green tea that is mixed with grapefruit juice for the second fermentation. You must use caffeinated green tea to brew the kombucha (aka the first fermentation). The SCOBY gets nitrogen from the caffeine, which is vital to fermentation.
Adding decaf green tea to citrus rosemary kombucha makes it less caffeinated, which unlocks its potential as a late-night beverage too!
Should You Make This Recipe with Young, Sweet Kombucha or Older, Sour Kombucha?
This depends on what you prioritize in your kombucha drink.
If you’re drinking kombucha for its health properties, you should utilize sour kombucha since the majority of the sugar content will have been eaten by the SCOBY and yeast particles floating in the brew.
On the other hand, if you’re simply looking for a pleasant-tasting drink, young and sweet kombucha will likely be more delicious. You’re still retaining the health benefits from the SCOBY, and the only downside is a slightly higher sugar and caloric content.
No matter your choice, indulging in this homemade kombucha is bound to be a treat.