This bright-red concoction is as enjoyable to sip as it is to see, featuring a harmonious mix of fruity and tart notes. Like other fermented teas, hibiscus green tea kombucha is also loaded with live microorganisms that are good for your gut.
Hibiscus tea has been brewed for generations in Asia and Africa for its purported health benefits, including boosting heart health and lowering blood pressure.
This recipe “kombucha-fies” it—keeping the positive attributes of the tea while adding the good benefits of kombucha too. The resulting hibiscus kombucha is a pleasant and healthy beverage that you can sip any time of day!
Table of Contents
Hibiscus Green Tea Kombucha
Total Time: 12 minutes
Yield: 4 Servings 1x
Description
Without adding any extra caffeine, hibiscus tea rounds out the acidic, vegetal flavors of green tea kombucha. This simple recipe comes together quickly with minimal ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups water
- 4 hibiscus tea bags
- 3 cups green tea kombucha
- A handful of ice
Instructions
- Heat water in a small pot until it is just below boiling, and then turn off the heat.
- Submerge the tea bags into the water and secure them with a lid. Let it steep for 6-8 minutes.
- Pour the tea into a large jar. Place in the fridge to cool.
- Once the tea is cooled, add the kombucha and stir to combine.
- Pour in serving cups over ice.
- If desired, add garnishes such as rosemary or lemon wedges.
Notes
No kombucha? Buy one on Amazon or in your local retailer. Or, make kombucha at home using starter tea, kombucha SCOBY, and sweetened green or black tea.
The above kombucha recipe is made to be easy, but you can also introduce dried hibiscus in your first or second fermentation to extract a deeper flavor. Ferment kombucha with hibiscus for 6-10 days for first the first fermentation or 3-10 days for the second fermentation. You can retain the dried hibiscus in the final bottle or strain it.
You may also mix or brew the drink with additional flavors like blueberry, raspberry, rose, and ginger ale.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
What Does Hibiscus Green Tea Kombucha Taste Like?
A batch of hibiscus kombucha combines the best flavors from hibiscus tea, green tea, and kombucha. It is slightly sweet, sour, and citrusy.
Hibiscus green tea has a subdued sour flavor coming from its acids, most notably its citric acid content. The hibiscus’s primarily sour flavor is mellowed by the green tea’s grassy and vegetal notes, closely resembling the taste of pomegranates and cranberries.
The kombucha introduces a tart and slightly sweet taste that is balanced out by the other ingredients. Overall, it’s a pleasant blend of sweetness and tartness in a deep-rich red package!
What Is Hibiscus Tea?
Sometimes called “sour tea” or “sorrel tea”, hibiscus tea is a tea type brewed from Hibiscus sabdariffa flowers. In particular, it’s brewed from the dried calyces of this flower.
The hibiscus flower grows in only tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It’s native to Africa, but it can also grow in India, China, and Thailand.
On its own, hibiscus tea tastes sour, astringent, and tart. It possesses a deep red hue and is loaded with many health benefits.
Health Benefits of Hibiscus Green Tea Kombucha
Kombucha is known to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, lower cancer risk, and rid your body of toxins.
The probiotics in this fermented tea also help balance your gut microbiome. Green tea may aid in weight loss, improve brain function, and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Hibiscus tea, the star of this drink, provides even more antioxidants and may also help with blood pressure and cholesterol.
Additionally, hibiscus tea is known to:
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve liver health
- Fight bacteria growth
- Protect your body against diseases and free radicals
The health benefits of hibiscus green tea kombucha are expansive since you’re getting benefits from all three powerhouses: the hibiscus, the green tea, and the raw kombucha.
How Much Caffeine Does Hibiscus Green Tea Kombucha Have?
There’s a negligible amount of caffeine in hibiscus green tea kombucha. Hibiscus tea contains no caffeine, so the caffeine content of this beverage mostly comes from green tea.
That said, green tea is one of the least caffeinated teas. You can expect between 3 and 10 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces of hibiscus green tea kombucha.
Can Hibiscus Tea Have Any Negative Side Effects?
There are some side effects associated with excessive consumption of hibiscus tea, including the following:
- Hibiscus allergies
- Medicinal interactions
- Liver damage
- Can trigger preterm labor
- Headaches
- Dermatitis
Over-consuming kombucha can also present negative side effects such as headaches, bloating, and GI discomfort. Most of these cases are rare or only occur when you drink too much hibiscus tea or kombucha.
Limit your consumption to no more than 16 ounces of kombucha a day. That said, don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor before indulging in any of the ingredients of this refreshing beverage.