• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Summer
  • FREE EBOOK
  • Shop

Create Mindfully

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Summer
  • FREE EBOOK
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Summer
    • FREE EBOOK
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Kombucha

    Modified: Dec 14, 2022 · Published: Feb 21, 2022 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.

    Lemon Kombucha

    Jump to Recipe Pin

    This refreshing Lemon Kombucha is the perfect thirst quencher! It is sweet, tart, and bubbly.

    Lemon Kombucha with lemon slices on a plate.

    💌 SAVE THIS

    I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    Are you a kombucha lover like me? If you are you'll be happy to know it's super easy to make your own.

    It's totally worth taking the time to make it. You can customize it to your liking and save a lot of money in the process!

    If lemonade and kombucha had a baby, this Lemon Kombucha would be the result.

    It is sweet and refreshing. This is the drink you're going to want to have around for summer!

    Other refreshing kombucha recipes are my Lemon Cayenne Kombucha recipe, Kombucha with Lemon and Lime Juice, and my Lime Kombucha Recipe.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
    • Two Types of Fermentation
    • 🥂 What Makes Kombucha Fizzy?
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🎥  Video
    • How Long Does It Take To Get Fizzy Kombucha?
    • 💭 Tips
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs
    • 🥃 Other Kombucha Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why You'll Love It

    • It's cheaper than store-bought kombucha and you can control the amount of sweetness.
    • It is a great alternative to lemonade in spring and summer.
    • It's light and refreshing.

    Two Types of Fermentation

    To make homemade kombucha, you start with the first 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.

    To make Lemon Kombucha, you will be making a second fermentation.

    The second fermentation involves taking that kombucha you made in the first fermentation and adding flavor. You let it ferment for another 3-5 days in sealed bottles. The result is a fizzy-flavored drink.

    You can ferment even longer, if needed, letting the kombucha ferment 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 on a cutting board with labels.
    • Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice is best. I do not recommend store-bought lemon juice. Lemon juice also tastes great in my Lemon Ginger Mojito.
    • Maple syrup: I like maple syrup for the sweet maple flavor. You could also use agave syrup or simple syrup made with brown sugar or white sugar.
    • Kombucha: You'll need freshly made homemade kombucha that has not been refrigerated.

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

    🔪 Instructions

    Lemon juice being poured into a funnel into a bottle.

    Step 1: Pour ¼ cup lemon juice into each 25 ounce bottle.

    Maple syrup being poured into a funnel over a bottle.

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

    Kombucha being poured into a funnel over a bottle.

    Step 3: Pour your homemade kombucha into the bottles, leaving 1-2" head space. Let sit 3-5 days in a dark place.

    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. Taste each day to test its flavor and fizziness. For this recipe I let mine ferment for 5 days.

    🎥  Video

    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

    • Use bottles with swing-top lids! Mason jars and store-bought kombucha bottles that have the seal broken won't hold carbonation.
    • You can substitute the maple syrup with agave syrup, brown sugar, white sugar, or another sweetener.
    • Refrigerate after the kombucha is done fermenting.
    Lemon Kombucha with slices of lemon on a plate.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

    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.

    5 Secrets To Making Kombucha

    Pomegranate Kombucha in two glasses.

    Kombucha just got easier!

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

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

    🥃 Other Kombucha Recipes

    • Lavender Kombucha
      Lavender Kombucha
    • Chai Kombucha
      Chai Kombucha
    • Ginger Kombucha
      Ginger Kombucha
    • Lemon Turmeric Kombucha
      Lemon Turmeric Kombucha

    If you tried this Lemon 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

    Lemon Kombucha with slices of lemon on a plate.
    Pin Print Add to Shopping List Go to Shopping List
    5 from 2 votes

    Lemon Kombucha

    This refreshing Lemon Kombucha is the perfect thirst quencher! It is sweet, tart, and bubbly.
    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 132kcal
    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
    • 1 cup lemon juice
    • 1 cup maple syrup

    Instructions

    • Line up 4 (25 ounce) bottles with flip top lids or other air tight bottles.
    • Pour ¼ cup lemon juice 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 (or a few times a day) to let out the pressure of the carbon dioxide. Taste each day to test its flavor and fizziness.
    • Refrigerate when you are happy with the amount of fizz and flavor.

    💌 SAVE THIS

    I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 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
    • Lemon Green Tea Kombucha
      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

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Casey says

      March 27, 2024 at 7:44 am

      This recipe is seriously tasty. Do you know what the measurements would be to substitute white sugar for the maple syrup? I brew my own kombucha to save money, so it's hard to swallow the expensive of maple syrup!

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        March 27, 2024 at 10:37 am

        I haven't tried it. You could try equal amounts or a little less to start with. If you do try it, let me know what works!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Willow Moon with green shirt and tie dye scarf.

    Namaste, I'm Willow!

    I've been vegan for 25 years and
    gluten-free for 13 years. I share easy and delicious vegan gluten-free recipes the whole family will love! Read more →

    Summer Recipes

    • Coconut Lemonade
      Coconut Lemonade
    • Portobello Fajitas
      Portobello Fajitas
    • Double Chocolate Frozen Yogurt Bites
      Double Chocolate Frozen Yogurt Bites (Vegan)
    • Sriracha Coleslaw
      Sriracha Coleslaw

    Popular Recipes

    • Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Bites
      Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Bites (Vegan)
    • Apple Pecan Chickpea Salad Sandwich on a plate.
      Apple Pecan Chickpea Salad Sandwich
    • Vegetable Fritter being dipped into vegan chipotle ranch dressing.
      The Most Amazing Vegetable Fritters
    • Homemade Payday Bars on parchment paper.
      Homemade Payday Bars
    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia pudding in a bowl.
      Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Pudding
    • Banana Cream Pie Overnight Oats
      Banana Cream Pie Overnight Oats

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for my newsletter and get a FREE 30 Minute Vegan Dinners 7 Day Meal Plan as a welcome gift!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Tip Jar

    Featured In:

    A list of magazines that Create Mindfully has been featured in like Good Housekeeping, Dr. Axe, Peta, and more.

    Copyright © 2014 - 2025
    Create Mindfully - All Rights Reserved.

    Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Willow Moon and Create Mindfully with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. All photos and artwork are property of Willow Moon and Create Mindfully. Do not duplicate or copy without proper consent.

    Lemon Kombucha

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

    My family loved this!
    Thank you for sharing this recipe, I loved it!
    This worked exactly as written, thanks!

    Or write in your own words:

    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.