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    Home » Recipes » Kombucha

    Modified: Jan 25, 2024 · Published: Feb 13, 2023 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

    Elderberry Kombucha

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    This Elderberry Kombucha has a deep rich flavor, similar to port wine. It is sweet with subtle notes of blackberry. 

    Elderberry Kombucha in a glass with bottle of kombucha and bowl of elderberries in the background.

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    This Elderberry Kombucha is a fun way to boost your immune system for flu season. It is sweet and rich, with hints of blackberry.

    I always have elderberry syrup on hand. I use it as a preventative during cold and flu season. I've used it more regularly during the last few years.

    Now that I've created this recipe, that bottle of elderberry syrup isn't going to get as much use. This Elderberry Kombucha is a delicious way to get elderberries into your system.

    Other ways to add elderberries into your diet are an Elderberry Smoothie Recipe, an Elderberry Latte, or an Elderberry Tea.

    Kombucha with Blackberries is a great fruity recipe to try.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
    • Two Types of Fermentation
    • What Makes Kombucha Fizzy?
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🥣 Supplies
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • Should I Burp My Second Ferment Kombucha?
    • How Long Does It Take To Get Fizzy Kombucha?
    • 💭 Tips
    • 🥃 Other Kombucha Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why You'll Love It

    • It has a deep, rich, sweet flavor, similar to port wine.
    • It's the perfect addition to your winter routine when cold and flu season is in full swing.
    • You can customize it to your liking.

    Two Types of Fermentation

    The first fermentation of kombucha is when you combine sweetened tea, a kombucha scoby, and some starter tea. You let it ferment for 7-21 days and the result is uncarbonated unflavored kombucha.

    For the second fermentation you remove the scoby and take that kombucha you made in the first fermentation and add flavor. You let it ferment for another 3-5 days in sealed bottles. The result is a fizzy-flavored drink.

    You can ferment the flavored kombucha for up to 14 days. It all depends on the amount of sugar content in the flavor you're adding, and the temperature of the room.

    Warmer temperatures will cause faster fermentation, and higher sugar content will also speed up fermentation.

    What Makes Kombucha Fizzy?

    The second fermentation is when kombucha gets fizzy. By putting it into a sealed container at room temperature and adding a sugar source (fruit and/or sweetener), carbon dioxide builds.

    🧾 Ingredients

    Ingredients for elderberry kombucha on a cutting board with labels.
    • Homemade kombucha: You'll need freshly made kombucha that has not been refrigerated yet.
    • Dried elderberries: I bought dried elderberries in the bulk section of my local grocery store (Sprout's). health food stores probably sell it as well, or you could order it online. You could also use elderberry powder.
    • Maple syrup: Adds sweetness. You could also use agave syrup, simple syrup, or your favorite sweetener.

    To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    🥣 Supplies

    • Funnel
    • 4 (25 ounce) bottles with flip top lids
    • Measuring cup

    🔪 Instructions

    Elderberries being poured into a funnel into a bottle.

    Step 1: Pour 1 tablespoon of dried elderberries into each bottle.

    Maple syrup being poured into a funnel over a bottle.

    Step 2: Pour ¼ cup of maple syrup into each bottle.

    Kombucha being poured into a funnel over a bottle.

    Step 3: Pour your freshly fermented homemade kombucha into the bottles, leaving 1-2" head space. Let sit 3-5 days.

    Flip-top bottle being popped open.

    Step 4: Pop open the lids at least once a day. Pressure builds, and this allows it to escape so that you don't have a mess.

    Should I Burp My Second Ferment Kombucha?

    Yes! If you don't you could have a mess. By adding sugar to the homemade kombucha and fermenting it a second time in bottles with swing-top lids, you're creating an environment for carbonation. If you don't allow it to escape, you'll have kombucha all over your kitchen.

    How Long Does It Take To Get Fizzy Kombucha?

    It can take anywhere from 1-14 days. It depends on a few things.

    1. It depends on how much sugar you have in the kombucha. (Sugar in the form of fruit and/or sweetener.) The more sugar, the faster you'll get carbonation.
    2. It also depends on the weather. Warmer temperature = faster carbonation. I've had bubbly kombucha after a day in summer months and bubbly kombucha after a week in colder months.

    💭 Tips

    • You can substitute the maple syrup with agave syrup, brown sugar, white sugar, or another sweetener.
    • Strain the elderberries after fermenting, if desired.
    • Refrigerate after the kombucha is done fermenting.
    Elderberry Kombucha in glass close up.

    5 Secrets To Making Kombucha

    Pomegranate Kombucha in two glasses.

    Kombucha just got easier!

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    🥃 Other Kombucha Recipes

    • Blueberry Kombucha
      Blueberry Kombucha
    • Ginger Turmeric Kombucha
      Ginger Turmeric Kombucha
    • Cranberry Kombucha
      Cranberry Kombucha
    • Pomegranate Kombucha in two glasses.
      Pomegranate Kombucha

    🌟Need a new kombucha scoby? I love to buy my scobys from Fermentaholics. They're inexpensive and my kombucha comes out great every time.

    If you tried this Elderberry Kombucha Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    📋 Recipe

    Elderberry Kombucha
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    5 from 2 votes

    Elderberry Kombucha

    This Elderberry Kombucha has a deep rich flavor, similar to a port wine. It is sweet with subtle notes of blackberry.
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    fermenting 5 days days
    Total Time 5 days days 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 12
    Calories 130kcal
    Author Willow Moon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 4 (25 ounce) bottles with flip top lids or other air tight bottles
    • Funnel
    • Measuring cup

    Ingredients

    • 12 cups homemade kombucha
    • ¼ cup dried elderberries
    • 1 cup maple syrup

    Instructions

    • Line up 4 (25 ounce) bottles with flip top lids or other air tight bottles.
    • Pour 1 tablespoon dried elderberries and ¼ cup maple syrup into each 25 ounce bottle.
    • Using a funnel, pour freshly made homemade kombucha into each 25 ounce bottle leaving 1-2" head space.
    • Let bottles sit out (at 75° - 85°) 3-5 days, making sure to pop the lids each day to let out the pressure of the carbon dioxide. Taste each day to test its flavor and fizziness.

    Notes

    Use freshly made kombucha that has not been refrigerated yet.

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 0.02g | Fat: 0.01g | Saturated Fat: 0.001g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 69mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    SIGN UP for my newsletter, get a FREE 30 Minute Vegan Dinners 7-Day Meal Plan as a welcome gift! 💌

    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

    More Kombucha

    • Lemon Lime Green Tea Kombucha
      Lemon Lime Green Tea Kombucha
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      Lemon Green Tea Kombucha
    • Mango Green Tea Kombucha
      Mango Green Tea Kombucha
    • Raspberry Green Tea Kombucha in a glass with straw.
      Raspberry Green Tea Kombucha

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    Elderberry Kombucha

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