This cream soda Kombucha recipe is a healthy take on the nostalgic sweet and soft cream soda drink. Unlike the classic cream soda, this recipe uses Kombucha which has lower sugar content and doesn’t have artificial flavors and colors. It is a great thirst quencher during warm summer days and is also very easy to make at home. Once you know how to make cream soda Kombucha, you’ll never go back to sugar-filled sodas and beverages to satisfy your cream soda cravings.
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Health Benefits
Vanilla
Vanilla is particularly high in vanillin which is known to have antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Adding vanilla to your daily diet may protect the cells from damage and improve overall health. It may also protect the body against inflammation and support brain health. In addition, it can protect the nervous system and help reduce daily sugar intake.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar doesn’t just make food extra appealing but can also benefit the body in many ways. Adding brown sugar to your food and drinks may help relieve menstrual cramps and aid in weight loss. It can also help speed up recovery from pregnancy and relieve flatulence in the gut. It may act as a remedy for asthma and help boost energy as well. Moreover, you can use it as a skin exfoliant to remove dirt, grime, and dead skin cells.
How To Make Cream Soda Kombucha
Cream Soda Kombucha is one of the easiest Kombucha flavors to make. It also requires simple ingredients that you probably already have in your cupboard. In this cream soda Kombucha recipe, you will only need brown sugar, vanilla, and Kombucha which has finished its first fermentation.
Kombucha is a fermented beverage that mainly undergoes two fermentation processes which are first fermentation (F1) and second fermentation (F2). The F1 of Kombucha takes place before F2. During this fermentation process, the sweet tea is converted to Kombucha by the SCOBY. It can take more than 10 days depending on how strong you want your Kombucha to taste.
After completing F1, Kombucha undergoes F2 for flavoring and carbonation. If it’s your first time doing F2 at home, you may check this blog post for the complete details.
Cream Soda Kombucha Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Homebrewing kit This is for 1st fermentation
- 1 Heating mat This is for 1st fermentation
- 1 Boochsleeve This is for 1st fermentation
- 1 Bottlebrush kit To clean your bottles
- 6 Bottles (16 oz.) or 2 Growlers (½ gallon)
- 1 Funnel For the 2nd fermentation process
- 1 Mesh strain colander For the 2nd fermentation process
- 1 PBW cleaner To clean your bottles
Ingredients
- 1 gal Kombucha
- 3 tbsp Brown sugar ($0.38 per oz.)
- 3 tbsp Vanilla extract ($2.24 per oz.)
Instructions
- Clean your bottlesDilute the PBW cleaner according to the productinstructions. Next, take your bottlebrush kit and scrub your fermentationbottles with your diluted cleaner. Then, rinse the bottles thoroughly. Finally,let the bottles dry before adding any ingredients.
- Prepare your ingredientsWhile you dry your bottles, divide your brown sugar andvanilla extract into six portions. Since we are using 3 tbsp for eachingredient, one portion should be ½ tbsp. of brown sugar and ½ tbsp. vanillaextract per bottle.
- Add the brown sugar and vanilla extract to the bottlesAdd one portion of your flavorings to each bottle. You mayuse a funnel to make this task easier and avoid mess.
- Fill the bottles with Kombucha liquid Make sure to leave about ½ to 1 inch of headspace whenfilling the bottles with Kombucha liquid. You may opt to strain the excessyeast of the Kombucha liquid using a mesh strain colander or a smaller sievebefore bottling. After filling the bottles, slightly shake the Kombucha to distributethe ingredients. You may set aside the remaining Kombucha liquid and use itlater as a starter tea for your next Kombucha ferments.
- Ferment Shut your bottles tightly and make sure that there are noopenings where carbon dioxide can escape. Allow your Kombucha to ferment in afermentation station that has room temperature between 60℉to 85℉.If you want to brew Kombucha at a warmer temperature close to 85℉to boost fermentation, you may use a heating mat. Fermentation may take from 3 to 14 days depending on thecarbonation and your preferred taste. Take note that the longer you fermentyour Kombucha, the stronger its taste also becomes.
- Store your finished Kombucha in the refrigerator After three days of fermentation, you can start tasting yourbottled Kombuchas. If the taste is already fit to your liking, transfer yourbottled Kombuchas to the refrigerator. This will inhibit fermentation and
- Serve and enjoy Bottled Kombuchas like cream soda Kombucha may haveunsightly floating residues from the yeast. While these residues are safe toingest, you can always opt to strain them before drinking if you feeluncomfortable.
How to level up the taste
Cream soda Kombucha is a Kombucha drink that both beginners and experienced Kombucha drinkers can enjoy. It is great to enjoy on its own but if you want to improve its taste, here are some things you can do.
First and foremost, make sure to only use good quality vanilla extract. The vanilla flavor stands out in cream soda Kombucha so make sure to not use a vanilla extract that has an artificial flavor or is not of good quality. Doing so may affect the taste of your finished Kombucha.
Another way to make this drink extra appealing is by serving it with some honey. If you want a less sweet Kombucha, you may also add 1 tsp of fresh lemon juice to balance out the sweetness.
Featured Product
Fully Rooted Cream Soda Kombucha features a delectable blend of organic ingredients like lemon balm tea, Vermont maple syrup, organic vanilla bean powder, local honey, and organic dried Fig. It is refreshing and also has live probiotics that are beneficial for the gut.
Brew Dr. Kombucha Vanilla Oak features fresh scraped organic vanilla bean and oak. It has an aromatic flavor that is perfect for the winter season. Moreover, it contains live probiotic culture and is made with organic ingredients.
If you like to enjoy vanilla drinks with a fruity twist, then GT’s Synergy Tangerine Dream is a must-try. This Kombucha drink features citrusy Kumquat with fresh ginger and smooth vanilla. It also has 9 billion live probiotics and no added sugar. It is made with 100% raw and real Kombucha as well.
