Coconut Free Ginger Lemon Kombucha
Bright, tangy, and alive with natural fizz, this homemade ginger lemon kombucha is the kind of drink that makes you feel genuinely good about what you're sipping. The two-stage fermentation process sounds involved, but each step is straightforward — brew a honey-sweetened green tea base, let your SCOBY work its magic over about a week, then bottle with fresh ginger and lemon juice for a second ferment that builds serious carbonation. That second ferment is where the magic really happens, transforming a pleasantly tart brew into something effervescent and refreshing with a zippy, warming kick. Store-bought kombucha can be a minefield of unexpected add-ins, but every ingredient here is clean and easy to verify — filtered water, raw honey, green tea, fresh ginger, and real lemon juice, nothing more. The result is a lively, probiotic-rich drink with a flavor that's far more complex than its short ingredient list suggests. Keep a few bottles chilled in the fridge and you'll have a sparkling, gut-friendly alternative to soda ready whenever you need it.
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
For the sweet tea base
- 3.5 quarts filtered water
- 4 bags green tea
- ½ cup raw honey
For the first ferment
- 1 scoby with ½ cup starter liquid
For the second ferment
- 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
Instructions
- 1
Bring 3.5 quarts of filtered water to a boil in a large pot. Remove from heat, add the green tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes, then remove and discard the bags.
- 2
Stir the honey into the hot tea until fully dissolved. Allow the sweet tea to cool to room temperature — it must read below 85°F (29°C) on a kitchen thermometer before proceeding, as higher temperatures will harm the SCOBY.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!