Are you a ginger fan? If so, you’ll love this Ginger Ale Kombucha! With citrusy orange juice, spicy fresh ginger, and aromatic cloves, this kombucha flavor is more than meets the eye.
Some flavors are just an obvious choice for certain foods and drinks. Like strawberry popsicles. Or chocolate ice cream. Or lemon sorbet. Or ginger kombucha.
When it comes to bottling day, if I’m feeling uninspired or unsure of what kombucha flavor to make, I usually reach for the ginger. Because ginger just never fails when it comes to creating deliciously fizzy, flavorful kombucha!
So to spruce up your go-to ginger buch, here’s a fun new flavor to try…Ginger Ale Kombucha!
It’s important to note that this isn’t a true ginger ale, which you can make at home in a process similar to kombucha, using a “ginger bug” in place of a SCOBY. This is simply kombucha flavored liked ginger ale, with the fresh flavors of orange, cloves, and ginger. Let’s brew!
There are two fermentation phases when making kombucha:
- First Fermentation: This is when you transform sweet tea into tart and tasty kombucha (see our guide to homemade kombucha here).
- Second Fermentation: This is when you carbonate the kombucha by adding flavor and sugars then bottling it. Orange juice will be the main source of sugar in this batch, with ginger and spices adding flavor.
In order to make this Gingerade-inspired kombucha, you need to have completed the first fermentation and have some kombucha ready to be carbonated!
HEREโS WHAT YOUโLL NEED
- Kombucha: Youโve brewed your kombucha in the first fermentation and are ready to flavor it (first fermentation instructions here).
- Ginger: Ginger brightens up the flavors of this kombucha while helping to make it even more fizzy!
- Orange Juice: This provides the main sugar source for the kombucha yeast and bacteria to feed on, which then makes carbonation.
- Spices: Black peppercorn (optional) and cloves add subtle depth to the flavor, making it irresistible!
HOW TO MAKE THIS Ginger Ale KOMBUCHA
Making this ginger kombucha is as easy as throwing everything into fermentation bottles and letting the kombucha work its magic! The process goes something like this:
- Prep: Finely chop or grate the ginger, and gather the rest of your ingredients.
- Bottle: Evenly distribute the ginger, orange juice, and spices into fermentation bottles then pour in kombucha, leaving 1 to 2 inches free at the top
- Ferment: For 3 to 10 days, until it reaches the carbonation level you like.
- Enjoy: Chill in the fridge before serving, optionally straining out the ginger and fibers.
If you love this Ginger Ale Kombucha, be sure to try our other fresh flavors, like Lemon Ginger, Ginger Beet, Orange Creamsicle, or Grapefruit Ginger!
Ginger Ale Kombucha
Ingredients
- ยฝ gallon kombucha from a first fermentation, this is not store bought kombucha, 1.9 L
- 3 inches fresh ginger, about 3 Tbsp grated
- 4 Tbsp orange juice, 60 mL
- 4 whole cloves
- Optional: ยฝ tsp whole peppercorns
Instructions
- Prep: Finely chop or grate the ginger, and gather the rest of your ingredients.
- Bottle: Evenly distribute ginger, juice, and spices intoย fermentation bottles*. Pour inย first fermentation kombucha, leaving 1 to 2 inches free at the top.
- Ferment: Place in a dark, room temperature area for 3 to 10 days, until it reaches the carbonation level you like. This process will go faster in warmer climates, and slower in cooler climates.
- Enjoy: Chill in the fridge before serving, optionally straining out the ginger fibers. Can be stored in the fridge, tightly sealed, for several weeks.
Nutrition
Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.
Ginger ale and kombucha, YUM. I want to make this but I donโt have whole peppercorns or whole cloves. Would it work if I used freshly ground black pepper and ground cloves? If so, how much? Thanks
Yes! I’d probably to 1/4 tsp of each.
Do you recommend pulp or no pulp orange juice, or does it matter?
It shouldn’t matter! Whatever your preference is ๐
What will happen if I added ginger in my first fermentation??
It could lead to mold or impact the colonies of bacteria and yeast. I’d wait until the first fermentation ๐
How much juice?
Hi Iโm new to making kombucha.
How much juice should I be using when adding and should I adjust sugar or honey depending?
Thanks!
We use 4 Tbsp (1/4 cup) in this recipe. The more juice you use, the less honey or sugar you’ll need.