Kombucha contains varying amounts of alcohol depending on varieties, brand, and fermentation method. Some Kombucha varieties are considered alcoholic beverages along with other fermented beverages like beer and wine, however, most commercial Kombuchas are labeled non-alcoholic because of their very low alcohol content. In addition, Kombucha is not intentionally fermented to be used as an intoxicating drink. But can Kombucha still get you drunk? Well, if you really want to, then the short answer is yes!
However, before you start your drinking party with Kombucha, there are some important things you have to know first. Keep on reading as we take you through all the relevant topics about Kombucha’s alcoholic properties.
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Why Does Kombucha Contain Alcohol?
Kombucha acquires its alcohol content from the natural fermentation process. The process of fermentation encourages microorganisms to break down carbohydrates into organic acids and alcohol. Fermentation is also the reason why Kombucha is packed with many health benefits.
Home-brewed and commercially-brewed Kombucha have varying amounts of alcohol. Home-brewed Kombucha tends to be more alcoholic with 3% and more ABV. While this is already high for Kombucha, it is still low compared to other alcoholic beverages. It is also not enough to get you drunk right away.
On the other hand, most commercially-brewed Kombuchas only contain less than 0.5% ABV and are considered non-alcoholic. Some commercial Kombucha may have higher alcohol content than this however they are not that common.
What is ABV (Alcohol By Volume)?
Alcohol By Volume (ABV) is an important metric to identify how alcoholic a beverage is. It is the indicator of how much percentage of the beverage’s total volume is pure alcohol. The fundamental rule when it comes to alcohol content is that the higher the ABV percentage is, the more alcohol content the beverage has. The more alcohol content present in the drink, the faster you can get drunk as well.
"...the higher the ABV percentage is, the more alcohol content the beverage has."
Strong liquors like whiskey, tequila, and vodka can have 35% to 60% ABV. With this ABV percentage, a typical person can easily get drunk after 2 to 3 shots with one shot containing 1.5 to 2.0 oz. of pure liquor.
Typical light liquors like beer and white wine have about 4% to 15% ABV. On average, people do not get easily drunk with this amount of alcohol. It can take them about six to seven 12 oz. cans of beer or three to four 5 oz. glasses of white wine.
When it comes to Kombucha, the ABV can go from o.5% to 8% depending on variety and fermentation method.
How Much Kombucha Can You Drink To Get Drunk?
It’s difficult to answer how much you need given that Kombucha has varying ABV percentages. The body’s reaction to alcohol is also different from one person to another. Furthermore, the amount of Kombucha you drink doesn’t play a significant role in getting you drunk, it is the ABV that you have to consider first.
To give you a reference of how much Kombucha you can drink to get drunk, we’ve put together an estimate below.
For Kombucha that has 0.5% ABV to 3% ABV, you’ll need to drink more than 100 oz. in one sitting to experience the same effects as drinking one can of light beer.
Kombucha containing 4% to 5% ABV is still considered a mild alcoholic beverage. To get drunk with Kombucha containing 4% to 5% ABV, you’ll need to drink 48 to 60 oz. and even more, depending on your alcohol tolerance.
On the other hand, more alcoholic Kombucha with about 6% ABV and above will make you feel drunk after drinking 36 oz. and more.
As of now, you must have already imagined that getting drunk with Kombucha is not easy at all. In addition to consuming a lot of Kombucha, you are very likely to experience extreme Kombucha side effects if you consume the said amounts in just a short span of time. These side effects include digestive issues like bloating, gas, and even diarrhea.
Hard/Alcoholic Kombucha
Hard or alcoholic Kombucha is a variety of Kombucha that is fermented longer and brewed with more sugar and yeast to produce higher alcohol content. It is designed as an alcoholic drink and undergoes two to three fermentations.
The first fermentation of hard Kombucha is to make the Kombucha while the second one is done to develop higher alcohol content by adding more yeast and sugar. On the third fermentation, brewers add flavors and seal the Kombucha shut to form carbonation. The third fermentation is not necessary, however, it can still play a significant impact on the overall quality and alcoholic content of hard Kombucha. Essentially, the longer fermentation time can make hard Kombucha stronger and more alcoholic. Hard Kombucha brews for up to 34 days and more depending on the fermentation speed.
"...hard Kombucha have a higher ABV because it is not fermented in a controlled environment like commercially-brewed Kombucha."
Commercial hard Kombuchas usually have a moderate ABV from 3.5% to 5.5%. Kombuchas containing this ABV percentage are considered alcoholic beverages and are not allowed for minors. This ABV percentage is similar to most beers and can cause you to get drunk after downing 48 oz. to 60 oz. Kombucha drinkers should drink this in moderation especially if you are drinking home-brewed hard Kombucha.
Homebrewed Kombucha varieties tend to have higher alcohol levels. Hard Kombucha brewed at home can contain up to 8% ABV. This ABV percentage is similar to wine and could get you drunk after drinking 36 oz. and more.
The reason why homebrewed hard Kombuchas have a higher alcohol percentage is that home-brewed hard Kombucha is not fermented in a controlled environment like commercially-brewed Kombucha. Additionally, homebrewers can easily manipulate and increase the alcohol content by adding more brewing yeast and sugar as well as brewing the Kombucha for a longer time.
When it comes to health benefits, unfortunately, hard Kombucha is not as healthy as regular Kombucha. Hard Kombucha doesn’t contain as many probiotics as regular Kombucha because some bacteria can’t thrive due to the relatively high alcohol content. Hence, it can’t improve gut health as effectively as regular Kombucha.
Nevertheless, it still contains antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, minerals, and some probiotics. Hard Kombucha is also lower in calories per serving than beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Hard Kombucha only has 85 to 120 calories per 12 oz serving.
To get drunk with hard Kombucha, you’ll have to exceed the recommended daily amount of consumption which is 12 oz. This can make your chances of experiencing Kombucha side effects high.
Drinking hard Kombucha is not recommended for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Is Hard Kombucha Healthier Than Other Alcoholic Drinks?
There are certainly benefits to drinking hard Kombucha. First of all, its calories are less than beer and other alcoholic beverages. It also has healthy components that can improve health. Despite this, we still can’t say that it is a healthier option for getting drunk. At the moment, there is still no concrete evidence backing up the benefits of drinking hard Kombucha as an alcoholic beverage.
Using hard Kombucha or regular Kombucha as alternatives to liquor means consuming more than 12 oz. maximum daily consumption. This can lead to overconsumption of Kombucha and extreme side effects like digestive distress, excessive caffeine, and sugar consumption, vomiting, and more.
However, if your goal is not to get drunk and just have a refreshing drink on a hot day —
— then Kombucha is definitely healthier than a cold beer.
If you really want to incorporate Kombucha in your drinking sessions, we recommend using it as a chaser in exchange for soda or lemon instead. It can help remove the taste of alcohol and lessen the longevity of the burn-like feeling after drinking beverages with high alcohol content.
You may also use Kombucha as a mixer. A mixer is a non-alcoholic ingredient or liquid in mixed drinks and cocktails. It is used to dilute the drink and lower its ABV. Moreover, it can enhance the taste of the drink and add new flavors.
Regular Kombucha
Regular or non-alcoholic Kombucha’s ABV is just 0.5% to a maximum of 3%. This ABV is pretty low and will not get you drunk unless you drink more than 100 oz. in just a short time. Consuming this amount can cause Kombucha overdosage and may pose harm to your health so you shouldn’t use regular Kombucha as an alternative to liquor.
Unlike hard Kombucha, regular Kombucha only undergoes two fermentations. The first fermentation that takes 7 to 21 days is for making the Kombucha. Kombucha that has undergone first fermentation is already safe to drink. However, if you want carbonation, then a second fermentation is necessary. The second fermentation only takes 1 to 5 days.
If you are after Kombucha’s health benefits, then the regular Kombucha is the best option for you. It contains all the beneficial components that can help the body in many ways minus the high alcohol content. It contains important bacterial cultures and yeast that promote gut health effectively.
Because regular Kombucha is deemed non-alcoholic, it can be sold to minors. It is also safe to drink for pregnant and breastfeeding women, however, it is still best to consult your doctor first.
