Fruit and berry flavored kombuchas are readily available in the market. But why spend money on buying them, when you can easily make them at home? Elderberry kombucha is one such drink that can be made right in the comforts of your home, without spending a lot of time, effort, or money in the process.
With kombucha already having a long list of superpowers, adding elderberry only seems like the next logical step. Elderberries are superfoods in their own right. They are loaded with vitamins C and flavonoids and are an ideal food for weight watchers owing to their low-calorie content.
This recipe is slightly different than all other berry-based kombuchas in that; we do not use the fresh berries. Instead, we use elderberry syrup or pure elderberry juice. We also add a bit of ginger for a hint of spiciness. The result is a great-tasting elderberry kombucha which is ready after fermenting for a couple of days.
A word of caution
No matter whether you use fresh elderberries or the syrup or 100% elderberry juice; please exercise caution while opening the bottles. The resultant trapped gas after fermentation can be strong enough to explode the bottles. So always use swing-top bottles for storing.
Point the bottles away from your face while opening and never allow kids to open them.
If you use fresh berries
In case you make the recipe using fresh berries, then make sure to select organic ones. If those are expensive or unavailable, select a variety you find at your local farmer’s market. Frozen elderberries are also great. In fact; frozen berries will impart a richer flavour and color to the final brew.
You can also use 100% elderberry juice for making this recipe. Avoid medicinal kind of elderberry syrup containing honey as that would impact the taste and the extra sugar could tilt the balance and make the drink vinegary.
What tea should you use?
Select any black or oolong tea kombucha. It is best if you can brew the same at home. The recipe is berry easy (sorry couldn’t resist!) and I have discussed it here. You can also use green or white tea for making the kombucha. Just make sure that your tea does not contain oils like bergamot which can impact fermentation.
With that out of the way, here is an easy elderberry kombucha recipe.
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Elderberry Kombucha Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 15oz 1x
Ingredients
- 13 oz of freshly brewed home-brewed kombucha (after the first ferment)
- 2 oz of elderberry juice or elderberry syrup
- ½ tsp grated ginger
Equipment
- 1 unbreakable bottle with stopper for storing the kombucha
- Glass jar for mixing the syrup and the kombucha
- Wooden stirrer
- Grater for the ginger
- Funnel
Instructions
- Take the freshly brewed kombucha in a glass jar.
- Add the elderberry juice or syrup and mix well using the wooden stirrer.
- Wash and grate the ginger to yield about ½ tsp.
- Add the grated ginger to the glass jar.
- Pour the mixture using a funnel into an unbreakable bottle with a stopper.
- Place the bottle in a warm place (72-75 F) and allow it to ferment for 3-4 days.
- Check the taste and if it is bubbly and tangy enough, filter out the ginger pieces.
- Store the elderberry kombucha in individual bottles and refrigerate to slow down the fermentation.
Notes
- If your elderberry kombucha does not fizz and bubble, it means that the bottle wasn’t covered tightly enough or that it wasn’t placed in a location warm enough.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
People have enjoyed elderberry in the form of tea as well as alcoholic or fermented beverages for thousands of years. Both have their unique taste, flavor, and benefits.
Elderberry kombucha is a family favorite at my place and I plan to keep making it year after year. I hope you too try out the recipe and don’t forget to let me know how it goes!
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