Easy Fizzy Kombucha First Ferment Recipe for Perfect Homemade Brew
A simple and approachable recipe for making fizzy, tangy homemade kombucha using basic pantry ingredients and minimal equipment. Perfect for beginners and those seeking a refreshing, probiotic-rich beverage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 to 10 days (fermentation)
- Total Time: 7 to 10 days and 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1 gallon (4 liters) of kombucha 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Fermented Drink
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (1 liter) filtered or spring water
- 2 tablespoons loose black tea or 4 black tea bags
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar
- 1 healthy kombucha SCOBY
- 1 cup (240 ml) unflavored, unpasteurized kombucha starter liquid
Instructions
- Boil 4 cups (1 liter) of filtered water. Remove from heat and steep 2 tablespoons of black tea or 4 black tea bags for about 10 minutes. Remove tea leaves or bags.
- While the tea is still warm (around 175°F/80°C), stir in 1 cup (200 grams) of granulated sugar until fully dissolved.
- Let the sweetened tea cool to room temperature (68–78°F or 20–25°C), which usually takes 1–2 hours.
- Pour the cooled tea into a 1-gallon (4-liter) wide-mouth glass jar.
- Gently place the SCOBY into the jar along with 1 cup (240 ml) of unflavored, raw kombucha as starter liquid.
- Cover the jar with a breathable cloth or coffee filter and secure with a rubber band. Place the jar in a warm, dark spot (70–75°F or 21–24°C) away from direct sunlight or drafts.
- Let the mixture ferment undisturbed for 7–10 days. Taste daily after day 7 to find your preferred balance of sweetness and tanginess.
- Once satisfied, carefully remove the SCOBY and reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of kombucha for your next batch. The remaining kombucha is ready for the second ferment or to drink as is.
Notes
Avoid using flavored or herbal teas during the first ferment as they can harm the SCOBY. Maintain fermentation temperature between 70–75°F (21–24°C) for best results. Always cool the tea before adding the SCOBY to prevent damage. Use glass containers to avoid contamination. Taste test after 7 days to find your preferred flavor balance. Store SCOBY in starter liquid in the fridge when not in use.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces (240 ml)
- Calories: 30
- Sugar: 7
- Carbohydrates: 7
Keywords: kombucha, homemade kombucha, fizzy kombucha, fermented tea, probiotic drink, first ferment kombucha, easy kombucha recipe