Juniper citrus kombucha is fresh, citrusy, and packed with Vitamin C. This fermented tea will help support your immune system and aid digestion. Make a batch now and be ready with a healing drink for your next cold or flu.
Juniper berries help promote healing. They have a fresh, woodsy scent and pair beautifully with fresh orange juice. You can typically find juniper berries in the spice aisle, dry goods section of your local supermarket, or online.
Table of Contents
Juniper Citrus Kombucha
Total Time: 3 days
Yield: 16 Servings 1x
Description
Despite being called a “berry,” juniper berries are not sweet. This earthy orange kombucha is a unique and healthy recipe that you’ll always want to have on hand.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon juniper berries
- 14 cups black tea kombucha, after the first fermentation
Instructions
- Add 2 tbsp of orange juice to each glass bottle.
- Place the juniper berries in a bag and lightly crush them.
- Divide the juniper berries evenly among the bottles.
- Fill the bottles with kombucha, leaving a 1-inch headspace. Cap the bottles tightly.
- Let the bottles ferment at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- Strain the berries out (optional).
- Refrigerate to stop the fermentation. Enjoy as desired.
Notes
If you don’t have freshly squeezed orange juice, look for orange juice with no added sugar. Too much sweetness will throw off the balance of flavors.
Try this recipe with oolong, white, or green tea kombucha. These tea flavors are less bold and will make the citrus and juniper flavors more intense.
For a different flavor combo, substitute grapefruit juice for orange juice. Other flavors that pair well with juniper berries include apple, blueberry, elderberry, elderflower, lemon, and plum.
Use bay leaves, cardamom, or rosemary if you can’t find juniper berries. Add just a bit to each bottle.
To create hard kombucha, mix your fermented citrus juniper kombucha with a shot of gin before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Fermenting Time: 72 hours
What Does Juniper Citrus Kombucha Taste Like?
Juniper citrus kombucha tastes fresh and peppery with a strong citrus flavor. Juniper berries taste tart and woody, and they infuse a piney, balsamic flavor into your kombucha. The orange juice and kombucha add sweetness, balancing the sharper juniper berry flavor. You’ll also taste the bold black tea from your kombucha.
What Are Juniper Berries?
Juniper berries are not actual berries. They are seed cones from the juniper shrub, which grows in Europe and North America. They are small; some are less than 1/4 inch in diameter, while others are around an inch around. The berries are green when immature and turn purplish black when they mature.
These “berry” botanicals are used to make gin and a Finnish beer called sahti. The berries are usually crushed before they are added to dishes since the outer covering of the berries doesn’t have much flavor.
Juniper berries have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs and the ruins of ancient Greece. Native Americans also used Juniper berries as a medicine.
Health Benefits of Juniper Citrus Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented tea full of healthy bacteria, probiotics, and Vitamin C. It helps encourage healthy digestion, supports your immune system, and can help improve your overall wellness. It’s low-calorie, has no added sugars, and is cholesterol-free. It can help support a healthy heart, as well as help your liver and kidney function.
Juniper berries:
- Are high in Vitamin C, which is essential for iron absorption and for supporting your immune system.
- Have antioxidants that help protect the cells in your body.
- Are antibacterial.
- Are anticancerous.
- Have anti-inflammatory properties.
- May help reduce blood sugar.
- May help lower cholesterol.
Juniper berries are diuretics and may interfere with other diuretic medications. Pregnant women should consult their doctor before adding juniper berries to their diet. Juniper berries can stimulate the uterus and potentially cause a miscarriage.
Oranges:
- Are another great source of Vitamin C.
- Are high in dietary fiber, which helps you feel full and manage your blood sugar.
- Are high in calcium and help strengthen your bones and teeth.
- Help support kidney function.
How Much Caffeine Is In Juniper Citrus Kombucha?
Juniper citrus kombucha has 10-15 mg of caffeine per serving. The caffeine comes from the black tea used to brew kombucha, which has much less caffeine than coffee and soda. Since tea also contains L-theanine, your body responds differently to tea’s caffeine. L-theanine has been shown to help calm your mind and body so you don’t get ‘caffeine jitters.’
Should You Make This Recipe with Young, Sweet Kombucha or Older, Sour Kombucha?
Make this recipe with young, sweet kombucha. You’ll want some sweetness to enhance the woodsy juniper berries and fresh orange juice.
Old, sour kombucha is too tart and acidic to pair with these flavors. If you have older kombucha, mix it with sweet, fruity flavors, or start a SCOBY hotel to store your extra SCOBYs.