Shellfish Free Cherry Vanilla Kombucha
Tart cherries and warm vanilla come together in a homemade fizzy drink that tastes like something you'd pay way too much for at a specialty café. The process starts with a quick honey-and-cherry syrup cooked down on the stovetop, which gets strained smooth and spiked with vanilla powder before being bottled with plain kombucha for a second ferment. That 24–48 hour countertop rest is where the magic happens — carbonation builds naturally inside the sealed bottles, giving you a genuinely effervescent, lively sip without any added sweeteners or artificial flavors. Burping the bottles at the 24-hour mark keeps pressure in check and lets you dial in exactly how fizzy you want the final result. Every ingredient here is straightforwardly plant-based and ocean-free, so there's zero guesswork about what's actually in your glass. Chill the finished bottles before serving and pour through a fine-mesh strainer if you want a crystal-clear, jewel-toned pour that looks as good as it tastes.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
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
- 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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!