Thirdly, current experiences have steered that millennials specifically are turning away from alcoholic tipples and in search of low or no-alcohol choices, with the consequence that extra bars, pubs and eating places than ever are actually selecting to inventory kombucha as a part of their smooth drink providing.
We taste-tested over 30 types of kombucha to carry you our high buys, from plain choices to fascinating flavours (ginger, pink grapefruit and extra) and choices that may even exchange glowing wines. For extra drinks inspiration, go to our product evaluation part and uncover over 400 round-ups, guides and mocktail recipes on our alcohol-free drinks hub.
Finest kombucha to purchase at a look
- Finest spiced kombucha: No.1 Dwelling Ginger kombucha, £19.99 (12 x 250ml)
- Finest moral kombucha: HOLOS Citra Hops kombucha, £29.99 (12 x 330ml)
- Finest ardour fruit kombucha: Jarr kombucha ardour fruit, £30.54 (12 x 240ml)
- Finest pink grapefruit kombucha: Equinox Natural Kombucha Pink Grapefruit & Guava, £2 (275ml)
- Finest plain kombucha: Left Discipline Sencha Inexperienced kombucha, £30 (12 x 330ml)
- Finest tropical kombucha: L.A Brewery tropical ginger kombucha, £3.05 (330ml)
- Finest glowing wine different: Actual Kombucha Dry Dragon, £9 (750ml)
- Finest bitter kombucha: Actual Kombucha Royal Flush, £9 (750ml)
- Finest ginger kombucha: Blighty Booch kombucha natural ginger, £38 (12 x 330ml)
- Finest rosé different: L.A Brewery glowing English blush, £10 (750ml)
- Finest clean kombucha: You + I Kombucha Unique, £35 (12 x 330ml)
- Finest champagne different: L.A Brewery Glowing English Rose Kombucha, £10 (750ml)
What’s kombucha?
To make kombucha, firstly, the tea is brewed and sweetened with sugar to assist feed the fermentation course of. Subsequent, a scoby is added (an acronym that stands for ‘symbiotic tradition of micro organism and yeast’) together with some starter liquid.
A permeable lid is hooked up and the combination left to ferment for a number of days – that is the first fermentation. When the kombucha is bottled for its secondary fermentation, flavourings could be added, together with fruit, herbs, spices or different components akin to espresso, coconut water or rose petals.
The tip consequence? A reside, fermented drink that’s effervescent, barely bitter, and could be flavoured with an enormous number of components. Similar to wine or beer, each kombucha recipe is exclusive, with the flavour profile, look and degree of fizz relying on which components and strategies have been used in the course of the brewing and fermentation course of.
Finest kombucha to purchase 2022
No. 1 Dwelling Ginger kombucha
You get an actual stem ginger aroma with a heady base of turmeric on opening this kombucha. It has a fantastic stability of flavours – a refined sweetness, a tang of acidity and a delicate warmth from the ginger with a peppery end. Pale yellow and translucent, its sturdy fizz actually provides to the warming impact with every sip. A flavour-packed deal with.
Extra like this
Obtainable from:
Amazon (£19.99, 12 x 250ml)
HOLOS Citra Hops kombucha
Finest moral kombucha
West Sussex-based HOLOS makes fantastic-tasting kombucha whereas doing good – in partnership with two UK charities, it employs survivors of slavery, offering coaching and job alternatives. We loved all its flavours however discovered the zesty, tropical notes of the Citra Hops mix significantly brilliant and refreshing. A worthy recipient of three stars from the Nice Style Awards, this kombucha is a wonderful substitute for beer and has a satisfyingly crisp, dry end. HOLOS is offered for buy in M&S shops nationwide.
Obtainable from:
Amazon (£29.99, 12 x 330ml)
JARR ardour fruit kombucha
Finest ardour fruit kombucha
This super-funky kombucha boasts a tangy ardour fruit scent which balances effectively with the inexperienced and oolong blends of tea. We thought it was paying homage to a effective scrumpy cider – nice bubbles and splendid to refresh and revitalise you on a scorching summer time’s day.
Obtainable from:
Dry Drinker (£30.54, 12 x 240ml)
Equinox Pink Grapefruit & Guava kombucha
Finest pink grapefruit kombucha
Daring, brilliant and assured, this Equinox kombucha is one for followers of sturdy, citrussy flavours. Good pink in color, it packs a extremely punchy grapefruit scent. On tasting, an satisfying sharp and bitter tang awaits beneath the fruity high notes. Vividly tropical and actually moreish.
Obtainable from:
Waitrose (£2, 275ml)
Abel & Cole (£2.10, 275ml)
Left Discipline Sencha Inexperienced kombucha
Left Discipline pleasure themselves on their unfiltered, uncooked kombucha, unadulterated with juices or flavourings, and it is simple to grasp why – this green-tea-based brew is basically one thing particular. Within the glass, it is pale, effervescent and virtually champagne-like in look. The sunshine aroma is delicate on the nostril, with hints of apple and honey. To drink, it is clear and crisp with simply the correct quantity of fizz. Full marks for this one and effectively worthy of a toast.
Obtainable from:
Left Discipline (£30, 12 x 330ml)
L.A Brewery tropical ginger kombucha
Finest tropical kombucha
Get a style of the tropics all 12 months spherical with this splendidly zingy tropical ginger kombucha from L.A brewery. Infused with an fragrant mix of ginger, hops and yuzu, their newest flavour creates a wealthy base balancing notes of tropical fruits and recent citrus. Based mostly in Suffolk, all of L.A brewery’s drinks are impressed by founder Louise Avery’s love of foraging and utilizing native fruits, herbs and botanicals. Different flavours we love from this model embody their recent lemongrass kombucha and the weird mixture of strawberry and black pepper which leaves a satisfying kick on the palate.
Obtainable from:
Ocado (£3.05, 330ml)
Actual Kombucha Dry Dragon
Intentionally focusing on the discerning drinker, Actual Kombucha now discover themselves on the drinks menus of a number of the finest bars and eating places within the UK, together with The Fats Duck, L’Enclume, The Hand and Flowers and Le Manoir. Their Dry Dragon kombucha is especially scrumptious – delicate, brilliant and glowing, with a dry end. Strolling the tightrope between acidity and sweetness with ease, it is a well-balanced flavour profile with pretty lemony notes. An excellent different to glowing wine with a meal.
Obtainable from:
Waitrose (£9, 750ml)
Actual Kombucha Royal Flush
This selection is brewed utilizing first flush Darjeeling, which is hand-picked early within the spring for a fragile flavour – and it actually shines on this kombucha. Pale yellow and flippantly glowing, it has a smooth, peachy scent with a tangy undertone. It is extra bitter than some – however not in a nasty method – with a crisp, dry end that is altogether extraordinarily satisfying.
Obtainable from:
Waitrose (£9, 750ml)
Dry Drinker (£8.99, 750ml)
Virgin Wines (£8.99, 750ml)
Blighty Booch Kombucha Natural Ginger
Finest ginger kombucha
This North Wales-based brewery ferments premium high quality natural complete leaf and bud tea from China in small batches to supply with a lightweight and fruity beverage with a fragile effervescence. We love the ginger flavour particularly, whose effectively balanced sweetness and warming, punchy flavour has earned it a coveted three stars from the Nice Style Awards.
Obtainable from:
Blighty Booch (£38, 12 x 330ml)
L.A Brewery Glowing English Blush
Finest rosé different
A aromatic kombucha impressed by summer time Rosé wines, L.A Brewery’s newest flavour balances floral hops with tangy rhubarb, elderflower and seasonal fruits akin to strawberry and peach. Initially dry on the palate, this refreshing kombucha releases layers of sentimental fruitiness, ending with a contact of acidity from the rhubarb. Splendid for sipping on lazy summer time afternoons or cracking open for a special day.
Obtainable from:
Ocado (£10, 750ml)
Planet Natural (£9.89, 750ml)
You + I Kombucha Unique
Finest clean kombucha
Brewed in Glasgow, You + I Kombucha is presently obtainable in 4 flavours – however the authentic was our decide of the bunch, brewed with Assam tea in oak barrels. Within the glass, it is a brilliant, golden color, with a really uncommon scent paying homage to demerara sugar. Fantastic, delicate bubbles give a delicate burst in every sip, and keep caught to the glass because it’s swirled – if it have been a wine, you’d say it ‘has legs’. On the palate, it is oaky and full-bodied, with an virtually alcoholic kick that makes you consider darkish rum. There’s little or no acidic aftertaste, so for those who desire your kombucha with much less ‘tang’, this may be a winner for you.
Obtainable from:
You + I, (£35, 12 x 330ml)
L.A Brewery Glowing English Rose kombucha
Finest champagne different
In case you are celebrating a special day, this champagne-inspired kombucha makes the right swap for a effective bottle of bubbly. Tangy assam and white monkey inexperienced tea present a fragile base for floral infusions of natural white rose petals and wild elderflower. We loved the mild effervescence of this drink together with the effective stability of recent citrus flavours and wildflowers on the nostril, culminating in a crisp, dry end
Obtainable from:
Ocado (£10, 750ml)
How we examined kombucha
As kombucha is a reside product that continues to ferment as soon as it is bottled, it is essential to retailer it appropriately to sluggish the fermentation course of and to keep away from adjustments in style – so all of the samples have been chilled instantly on supply.
On the testing day, all samples have been served chilled and poured into wine glasses with nothing added – no ice, lemon or straws. Notes have been taken on the packaging, look, odor, style and champagne and a rating given to every kombucha. We included 33 samples from quite a lot of value factors and types for this evaluation.
Associated content material
How one can make your individual kombucha
The well being advantages of kombucha
A newbie’s information to fermented meals
The most effective non-alcoholic beer
The most effective non-alcoholic champagne and glowing wines
The most effective non-alcoholic wine
The most effective no and low-alcohol drinks
Non-alcoholic cocktail recipes
Are you a fan of kombucha? We might love to listen to your product suggestions within the feedback under.
This evaluation was final up to date in January 2022. If in case you have any questions, recommendations for future evaluations or spot something that has modified in value or availability, please get in contact at goodfoodwebsite@quick.co.uk.
Lead picture: Getty
