AIP Friendly Cherry Vanilla Kombucha
Tart cherries, floral raw honey, and a whisper of vanilla powder transform plain kombucha into something that tastes genuinely special — fizzy, fruity, and just sweet enough to feel like a treat. The second fermentation happens right on your countertop over 24 to 48 hours, building natural carbonation inside the sealed bottles without any added sugars or artificial flavors that could derail a careful elimination protocol. Vanilla powder stands in for vanilla extract here, which matters because most extracts are alcohol-based and off the table for this way of eating. The cherry syrup is cooked down and strained before it ever touches the kombucha, so you get a smooth, jewel-toned drink with no chunky bits — just clean, bright flavor. Each batch makes four servings, so it's easy to prep a round at the start of the week and keep bottles chilled and ready to grab. It's the kind of homemade drink that makes you forget you're following any kind of protocol at all.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 32 oz plain unflavored kombucha (store-bought or homemade first-ferment)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted tart cherries
- 1 tbsp raw honey
Ingredient noteAIP restricts added sweeteners, but small occasional amounts of unrefined honey are accepted on the protocol; the ~3/4 teaspoon per serving here likely stays within that limited allowance. If you prefer to always avoid honey, please tap it and change its rating to Red.
- ½ tsp vanilla powder
Instructions
- 1
Combine the tart cherries and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cherries soften and release their juice and the honey is fully dissolved, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
- 2
Press the cooled cherry mixture through a fine-mesh strainer set over a bowl or measuring cup, pressing the solids firmly with the back of a spoon to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the solids. Stir the vanilla powder into the strained cherry juice until fully dissolved.
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