Spiced Kombucha

Our family loves kombucha.  My husband and I can finish off about 3-4 gallons a week without trying, and if we add our children (who LOVE “tickle juice”), we can easily go through 5 gallons.  We began making our own kombucha some time ago, because as I’m sure many people can attest to, when you get hooked on it, you either learn to make it or go bankrupt!  We use the basic recipe from Nourishing Traditions to make ours, but this particular recipe is something we came up with to use up all our leftover spiced cider from the holidays.  (We do not drink juice normally, particularly apple juice, because of it’s high sugar content.)  We do crush our own apples for cider, which allows us to have easy access for these holidays when not much tastes as nice as a hot cup of cider!

Spiced Kombucha
1/2 gallon black tea kombucha
1 quart apple cider (otherwise known as apple juice that hasn’t been filtered, pasturized, or sweetened)
1/4 c. mulling spices (I use a mixture to taste of cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, whole all spice, dried orange rind, and chopped whole nutmeg)

Simmer apple cider and spices until the cider has a pronounced spice flavor, and allow to cool to room temperature.
Combine cooled spiced cider and kombucha. (I brew in a gallon jar, so I have enough room to do this, if not, adjust recipe size to fit whatever large jar you have.)
Cover jar tightly, and allow to sit at room temperature up to 3 days (with the cooler weather, it takes longer, or I just add a SCOBY back into the top (and leave it uncovered for a day) to quicken the process), then store in the fridge.

This is one of the nicest ways to use up “leftover” juice of any kind, but I particularly like it with the apple cider, since kombucha itself is often said to have an “apple cider vinegar” flavor that blends nicely with the mulling spices.
Word of the wise:
Don’t go by the smell! It is not a pleasant smell while brewing AT ALL.
Well, I could just be extra sensitive, being pregnant and all… 😉

Enjoy!

Be sure to check out all the other fantastic holiday treats during Stephanie’s Carnival!