Pink Lady Apple Kombucha made with in season apples and fresh pressed cider, is an absolutely delicious way to enjoy this this fizzy probiotic beverage.
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What is kombucha?
Kombucha, a fermented sweet tea, fits the requirements to be right on the top of my list of favorite beverages – fizzy, lightly sweet and fruity.
In its simplicity, kombucha is just sweet tea combined with starter tea and scoby (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). Which after 5-7 or so days devours the sugar resulting in basic unflavored kombucha.
Unflavored kombucha can be refrigerated and consumed as is. But I like it best after a second ferment because this us when the flavor and fizz happens.
To flavor plain kombucha at home simply infuse with fruits, herbs or flowers then bottle and ferment again.
Simply add fruits, herbs or flowers to already brewed kombucha. The fruit can be in chunk form, purée, or as a juice and it adds just the right amount of flavor and fizz.
I usually experiment with flavors based on what’s available seasonally. Strawberry Basil, Blueberry Honey, Lemon Raspberry and Blackberry Mint are all very delicious kombucha flavors.
But of all the different tea, fruit, herb combinations I have mixed up Pink Lady Apple Kombucha is my favorite. The lightly sweet, tart flavor of the tea is a perfect pair for unfiltered apple cider.
Tart kombucha tea with juicy pink lady apples and not too sweet apple cider. Hands-down favorite homemade kombucha yet.
Ingredients
- Plain kombucha – either home brewed or store bought
- Pink lady apples – diced
- Apple cider – the most unfiltered you can find
Step by step instructions
- For Pink Lady Apple Kombucha’s second fermentation divide cubed apples among bottles.
- Add apple cider to fill the bottle no more than 30%.
- Fill each bottle with plain kombucha leaving very little headspace so that it gets fizzy faster.
- Let sit at room temperature (70- 85 degrees) for at least 72 hours up to 7 days. Warning. The more sugar from fruit and juice, the faster the kombucha will fizz up and the greater the risk of explosion.
- Store refrigerated to greatly slow fermentation until ready to serve.
- Enjoy!
How to reduce the risk of exploding kombucha
Kombucha bottle explosion is no joke. Fizz is great but too much fizz is really bad.
Good quality containers really reduce the risk, but I have also learned that it is best to store lidded kombucha in a covered box during second fermentation to reduce the damage from exploded kombucha bombs. Labeling the bottles with a Fermented Since date via sticker or chalk marker is also very helpful in preventing over fermentation.
How to serve
After chilling serve apple kombucha over ice or use as a mixer for cocktails or mocktails.
The apple flavor pairs well with gin or whiskey or as a substitution for apple cider in cocktail recipes like Harvest Cider Whiskey Spritz. Or to replace cider vinegar in homemade dressings like this Herb Cider Vinaigrette.
Ingredients
- 64 oz plain kombucha either home brewed or store bought
- 1 ½ cups pink lady apples diced
- 3 cups apple cider unfiltered
Instructions
- Divide the chopped apples and cider into 16 ounce lidded bottles ensuring that the total fruit/juice amount does not exceed 30% of the bottle.
- Pour plain kombucha to fill leaving very little headspace, so that it gets fizzy as fast as possible. Secure lids.
- Let sit at room temperature (70- 85 degrees) for at least 72 hours up to 7 days.
- Then store the bottled kombucha in the refrigerator until you are ready to drink.
- Serve chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
Allison Waken
Oh this sounds SO good! Can’t wait to try it! [client]
Katie Crenshaw | A Fork's Tale
I love Kombucha. This Pink Lady Apple Kombucha sounds terrific. I can’t wait to make it this Fall!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
Oh my!! What a delish drink and great way to use the tasty pink lady apples. I need to try this ASAP!
Nicole
I’ve been wanting to try and make kombucha, I was thinking apple and ginger – thanks for all the great tips!
ONE armed MAMA
You’re welcome!! Making kombucha was much easier than I expected it to be, so I’m sure yours will be fabulous. Let me know how it turns out!!
Ramona
I definitely will try this, it is something I always said I wanted to make but never managed to. Defo on my must make very soon list now! Thanks for your share and for the inspiration. It sounds like fun and easy to make.
ONE armed MAMA
You can TOTALLY do it Ramona!! I was hesitant at first but was spending so much $ on kombucha I decided to give it a try!
Beth
I haven’t made my own kombucha yet. This version with the apple cider and apples sounds so delicious! I’m totally going to try these!
ONE armed MAMA
It was so much easier than I thought it would be!! I’ve also tried sauerkraut but I find bouch easier.
Rachel
Once they go into the fridge, do they stop fermenting, or do you need to drink it very quickly to keep the risk of them exploding in the fridge down?
Tristin Rieken
Hi Rachel, Great question! After moving kombucha into the refrigerator the cold greatly slows fermentation and minimizes risk of explosion. Also the quality of your bottles is a big factor in whether or not the kombucha will explode. But if you’ve got an awesome batch of bouch (or high sugar content apples) you can always burp the bottles every once in awhile to reduce pressure.