Determined to consume more gut-healthy fermented drinks in 2023? Fizzy, refreshing kombucha is a great place to start. The combination of sweetened, cooled tea and mature kombucha is super easy to make and far more economical than buying it at the store. And tastier too, say the editors of America’s Test Kitchen, who provide fool-proof recipes for making fermented drinks in the new cookbook, “The Complete Guide to Healthy Drinks” (America’s Test Kitchen; $28).
Kombucha
Serves 4 to 6 (makes 1 1/2 quarts)- 8 cups spring or filtered tap water, room temperature, divided
- 2 tablespoons loose-leaf black or green tea
- 1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) sugar
- 3/4 cup mature kombucha plus 1 ounce kombucha pellicle
- 3 tablespoons simple syrup (optional)
Add sweetened tea and remaining 6 cups water to 1-gallon wide-mouth jar and stir to combine (mixture should be less than 100 degrees F; let cool if necessary before proceeding). Stir in mature kombucha and pellicle. Cover jar with large coffee filter and secure with rubber band. Place jar in 73- to 83-degree location away from direct sunlight and let ferment for 6 days. After 6 days, taste kombucha daily until it has reached desired flavor; this may take up to 8 days longer.
When kombucha has reached desired flavor, transfer pellicle to bowl, using tongs or slotted spoon, along with 3/4 cup mature kombucha; set aside. Stir remaining kombucha to recombine.
—From America’s Test Kitchen’s “The Complete Guide to Healthy Drinks” (America’s Test Kitchen, $28)
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