The summer heat definitely calls for a refreshing summer drink like watermelon ginger Kombucha. This flavored Kombucha drink combines the thirst-quenching goodness of watermelon and the fiery savor of ginger. It is healthy and cheap and its recipe is definitely easy to follow.
This watermelon ginger Kombucha recipe allows you to get the full goodness of watermelon and ginger together with the gut nourishing benefits of Kombucha. It is the perfect drink to replenish during the hot summer day or whenever you need a little energy booster.
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Health Benefits
Watermelon
Watermelon is packed with many nutrients such as Vitamin A and C, potassium, magnesium, and fiber. It has high water content which can help you stay hydrated on warm days. Eating watermelon may also help improve heart health, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, prevent macular degeneration, and improve skin health. Moreover, watermelon is known for showing potential anticancer effects and may relieve muscle soreness and improve digestion.
Ginger
Ginger contains a healthy compound named gingerol. This compound is known for its impressive ability in aiding in digestion, reducing nausea, and fighting flu and common colds. Adding ginger to your daily diet gives you immunity against germs, soothes your sore muscles, eases arthritis symptoms, and lowers blood sugar. In addition to these, ginger can be used to ease period pains and reduce the risks of cancer.
How To Make Watermelon Ginger Kombucha
This watermelon ginger recipe requires watermelon, ginger, and Kombucha that has finished first fermentation.
Kombucha is a healthy fermented beverage that mainly undergoes two fermentation processes: first fermentation (F1) and second fermentation (F2). In the first fermentation, the sweet tea in the Kombucha mixture is converted to Kombucha tea by the Kombucha culture or SCOBY. After finishing the first fermentation, Kombucha undergoes second fermentation for flavoring and carbonation. If it’s your first time doing a second fermentation at home, this complete guide can certainly help you out!
Watermelon Ginger 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
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 1 gal Kombucha
- 1/4 Watermelon ($0.24 to $0.25 per lb.)
- 6 tbsps Ginger ($0.90 per 0.25 lb.)
Instructions
- Clean your bottlesDilute your PBW cleaner as indicated in the product instructions.Take your bottle brush kit and scrub your bottles with the diluted PBW cleaner.Rinse and dry your bottles thoroughly before adding any of your ingredients tothe bottle.
- Prepare your ingredients Scoop out the flesh of the watermelon and peel the ginger root.Slice your ginger and add the ginger slices to your blender. Add in thewatermelon flesh and blend the ingredients together. With your ingredients, youshould be able to get about 1 ½ to 2 cups of pureed flavoring. Divide yourflavoring into six portions and get ready to bottle.
- Add your watermelon and ginger flavoring intothe bottle Add one portion of your watermelon and ginger flavoring to eachbottle. You can add or lessen the amount of flavoring in your bottle dependingon your preferred taste.
- Fill your bottle with Kombucha Take your funnel and place it in the mouth of your fermentationbottle. You may filter the excess yeast of your Kombucha with a mesh strain colanderor smaller sieve before or as you pour your Kombucha into the bottles. Slowlypour in your Kombucha and leave about ½ to 1 inch of headspace on your bottlesfor good carbonation buildup. Set aside the remaining Kombucha liquid and useit as a starter for your next batch of Kombucha.
- Ferment Seal your bottles tightly making sure that no carbon dioxide canescape from the bottle. Allow your Kombucha to ferment in your designatedfermentation station that has room temperature, between 60℉ to 85℉. Your bottled Kombucha can take 3 to 14 days depending on the carbonation and your preferred taste. If you are fermentingyour Kombucha at a relatively cool place, you may use a heating mat to keepyour Kombucha under your ideal fermentation temperature.
- Store your finished Kombucha in the refrigerator Kombucha doesn’t stop fermenting so once you have achieved yourperfect blend of sweet and tart, transfer and store your Kombucha in therefrigerator. The cold temperature inside the refrigerator can inhibit thefermentation process and preserve your preferred Kombucha flavor.
- Serve and enjoy You may see floating residues on your bottled Kombucha from theflavoring and yeast. If these residues make you uncomfortable, feel free to filterthem before serving.
How to level up the taste
The taste of watermelon ginger Kombucha is already delectable but you can always elevate its taste with a few twists.
If you like your watermelon Kombucha to have a stronger kick of ginger flavor, you may use ground ginger instead of fresh ginger. Ground ginger gives a more concentrated taste of ginger and can make your Kombucha taste stronger. To use ground ginger, simply substitute 1 tbsp of fresh ginger with ¼ tsp. to ½ tsp. of ground ginger.
If your watermelon is not yet sweet enough, you can add about ⅛ cup of sugar. The added sugar can boost yeast activity and give Kombucha a stronger taste. If you like enjoying your Kombucha on the sweeter side, you may serve it with some honey.
Featured Product
The Health-Ade Kombucha Watermelon offers a fruity, and refreshing watermelon flavor that is perfect for summer days. It is filled with living probiotics and detoxifying acids to boost gut health.
GT’s Organic Raw Kombucha Gingerade is a refreshing Kombucha drink with a kick of ginger flavor that energizes and improves health.
This watermelon Kombucha from Koe offers live probiotics and vitamin C. It is low in calories and is a guilt-free replacement for sugary drinks and even alcohol.
