Orange creamsicle kombucha is sweet and delicious. Make this orange-flavored kombucha after the first fermentation of your homebrewed kombucha. Use fresh-squeezed juice and high-quality vanilla extract for the best flavor.
While most people don’t think of kombucha as a dessert, this recipe may convince you otherwise. The vanilla perfectly cuts through the kombucha’s tartness and the orange juice’s acidity, making a unique and satisfying fermented tea flavor.
Table of Contents
Orange Creamsicle Kombucha
Total Time: 3 days
Yield: 8 Servings 1x
Description
This orange creamsicle kombucha will healthily satisfy your soda craving. With only three ingredients and minimal effort, you can impress your guests with this refreshing beverage.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 gallon of kombucha after the first fermentation
- 1/2 cup orange juice, fresh squeezed if possible
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix the orange juice and the vanilla.
- Pour the mixture evenly among your glass bottles.
- Pour the kombucha into each bottle, leaving a 1-inch headspace.
- Seal the bottles tightly.
- Let the bottles ferment at room temperate for 3-7 days away from direct sunlight.
- Place one bottle in the refrigerator for six hours. Taste it. If you enjoy the flavor, refrigerate the rest of the bottles to stop the fermentation. Let the flavors ferment for another day or two if you want the flavors to be stronger.
- Refrigerate for at least 6 hours, and enjoy.
Notes
Black tea kombucha works best in this recipe, as the strong tea flavor pairs well with the sweet orange juice and vanilla. However, if you’re already brewing green or white tea kombucha, they will also work well.
Add 1/2 tsp cane sugar or 1/4 tsp maple syrup to each bottle for an extra sweet orange creamsicle kombucha. You can add this before fermenting or right before serving.
Make it slightly tarter by adding 1/2 cup of grapefruit juice with the orange juice and vanilla in step 1.
In place of vanilla extract, chop one vanilla bean and divide it evenly among the glass bottles.
For extra sweetness and fun, serve this kombucha over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Fermenting Time: 72 hours
What Does Orange Creamsicle Kombucha Taste Like?
Orange creamsicle kombucha is full of sweet orange flavor. It tastes a lot like orange cream soda. The tanginess of the kombucha balances the sweet orange juice. The vanilla adds more sweetness and depth of flavor.
Orange creamsicle kombucha is fizzy, with plenty of carbonation.
What Are the Health Benefits of Orange Creamsicle Kombucha?
Kombucha is a good source of probiotics. Probiotics help balance the bacteria in your gut and support your immune system. The kombucha SCOBY infuses the brew with good bacteria and yeast. It also helps fill this fermented tea with vitamins C and B. Kombucha is naturally dairy and gluten-free.
Orange juice:
- Is high in antioxidants, which may help protect your cells from free radicals.
- Helps heart health by reducing bad cholesterol and helping to prevent heart disease.
- May help reduce inflammation, keeping your body healthier.
- Is an excellent source of folate, potassium, and vitamin C.
Vanilla extract is high in vanillin. Vanillin is:
- Anti-inflammatory—reducing inflammation and associated pain helps your body function better.
- Good for your brain.
- High in antioxidants.
How Much Caffeine Is In Orange Creamsicle Kombucha?
Orange creamsicle kombucha contains about 15 mg of caffeine per 8 oz serving if made with black tea kombucha. Using green or white tea kombucha, your finished drink will have closer to 7 mg of caffeine per serving.
Tea contains both caffeine and L-theanine. This combination helps your brain focus without any caffeine jitters.
How Many Calories Are In Orange Creamsicle Kombucha?
Orange creamsicle kombucha contains about 38 calories per 8 oz serving.
Raw, unflavored kombucha averages about 30 calories per serving. Knowing the exact amount of calories in kombucha can be challenging because each batch is made individually. The number of calories in each batch of kombucha depends on how much sugar brewers add, fermentation length, and fermentation temperature.
Should You Make This Recipe with Young, Sweet Kombucha or Older, Sour Kombucha?
Make this recipe with younger, slightly sweet kombucha after the first fermentation. You’ll want a balance of sweetness and tang to start the second fermentation. Older, sour kombucha is best used as starter tea for your next batch of homemade kombucha.