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Strawberry Basil Kombucha Cocktail

June 27, 2018 by Ginger Hultin MS RDN

Looking to step up your cocktail game? Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of traditional cocktails, but I love mixing it up and trying something different – that’s why I made this Strawberry Basil Kombucha Cocktail. Cocktails in general have a bad reputation for being super sweet and sugary. Combine alcohol and sugar and you’re setting yourself up for a massive blood sugar crash – and perhaps even a hangover. By using kombucha in this cocktail, I have eliminated added sugar, lightening it up (without losing any flavor). 

My Strawberry Basil Kombucha Cocktail is perfect for the summertime, whether you’re laying by the pool, enjoying a picnic or just sitting on your front porch;, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it all year round. Strawberries are at their best during the summertime, but if you have other berries on hand, throw those in instead. This drink is refreshing, easy-to-make and packed full of probiotics, too!

Health Benefits of Kombucha

By now most people have at least heard of kombucha, but if you are unfamiliar, it is a fermented sweet tea, usually made with green or black tea. It’s very, very popular here in the Pacific Northwest. You’ll find it in every grocery store and bar. In Portland, they have it on tap everywhere, just like beer.

When you think of sweet tea, you normally don’t think of it as being good for you, but this tea is special. It’s not just regular tea pumped full of sugar. Kombucha goes through a double fermentation process (which can take up to 5 weeks). During this process, the majority of the sugar in the tea actually gets consumed by the yeast and bacteria and carbon dioxide is released, leaving you with a bubbly drink that is relatively low in sugar.

But, being low in sugar isn’t all that kombucha is good for. The fermentation processes fill this fizzy beverage with tons of live probiotics, healthy acids and antioxidants. So, there is a good reason why it gets so much attention. If you are interested in learning more about it, this washingtonpost.com article I am a part of. The journalist is exploring “boozy kombucha” and yes that’s a thing. It’s a very tasty beverage on it’s own and especially mixed in an adult beverage!

Kombucha has a slight vinegar taste and is more tangy than sweet. You can make it at home or you can buy it in the store (look for it in the refrigerated section). You may notice some floaters in the container and that’s the stringy bits of yeast and scoby – the good bacteria. There is some evidence that the bacteria we eat in food (think pickles, wine, sour cream, yogurt, kimchi, etc) helps support the good bacteria living in our gut – specifically the colon- and that microbiome has been linked to human health. Some people notice that their tummy troubles clear up when they eat more fermented foods. Keep in mind that alcohol generally isn’t very helpful for the stomach so if you’ve got issues, stick with non-alcoholic kombucha and make this recipe a mocktail.

Kombucha makes a great base for my Strawberry Basil Kombucha Cocktail because it is tangy and bright, complimenting the strawberries perfectly. If you love kombucha cocktails and need more ideas, check out my Citrus Kombucha Old Fashioned. These are two really popular recipes of mine because my clients, like you, are interested in being healthy while enjoying their favorite foods. That’s always my inspiration for blogging here for you.

a gorgeous shot of this vibrant kombucha cocktail with bright berries and lemons on ice

Making the Strawberry Basil Kombucha Cocktail

Strawberries and basil are a classic combo because they work so well together, but you have another option. Strawberries are at their prime during the months of June and July, so if you are making this drink during that time I highly suggest keeping it as it is. However, if you are making it in the fall, raspberries would make a great alternative because those do better in the fall and pair really well with basil. Remember that you can always use frozen berries any time of year. Research shows that frozen foods are as nutritious (or more!) than fresh foods. And they can be more affordable, too.

The Glassware

The best glass to use for this cocktail is an Old Fashioned Glass, commonly called “Rocks” or “Lowball.” This type of glass is ideal for this Strawberry Basil Kombucha Cocktail because it has a heavy base, which is perfect for muddling ingredients together. If you don’t have this type of glass on hand, a mason jar would be a great replacement. I love the way cocktails look in a simple jar.

Muddling

Muddling is a common technique used to mush herbs or fruit in a drink (alcoholic or not) to release their juices. For this recipe, you are going to muddle strawberries, basil leaves and honey together. First, place all of the ingredients in your glass and then gently mash them together with a cocktail muddler (or a wooden spoon) about 3-4 times until the juices are released. The juices will mix well with the rest of the cocktail ingredients, making the drink much more flavorful than it would be with non-muddled, whole ingredients. Have extra basil to muddle? Use it in my Sparkling Plum Basil Cocktail.

The Alcohol and Kombucha

My liquor of choice is vodka for a, so that is what I went with for this cocktail like this one. It also think it pairs really well with the other flavors and doesn’t overpower or overshadow them. Because I always use natural ingredients, I want each of them to shine through on their own. I, but if you prefer gin, tequila or rum, those would taste great too.

Pick up kombucha right in the store in the refrigerated section. Some people even make it at home, but that’s not for me. I went with a lemon kombucha because I think it goes great with strawberries and brings some brightness to the drink, but again, if you prefer another flavor you could make it work. Kombucha can be flavored in so many different ways, so there are endless amounts of options. Consider ginger or a berry flavor – that would be delicious.

Once you add in the vodka (or your liquor of choice) and kombucha into your glasses, you can add in ice, and stir to combine. I love garnishing my drinks, so I saved some bails leaves and put those on top for a pop of color and added a thin slice of strawberry on the rim.

For other delightful and healthy(ish) cocktails, check out my 3-ingredient frosé, Gin Ginger Beet Cocktail with Thyme, or Vegan Turmeric Banana-Mango Lassi which you can spike with a little rum. YUM!

Strawberry Basil Kombucha Cocktail

A gorgeous, vibrant and healthy(ish) vodka cocktail featuring zesty kombucha and fresh fruit
4.34 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Beverage, cocktail
Cuisine: Americana
Keyword: classic cocktail, cocktail, healthy cocktail, kombucha
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories:
Author: Ginger Hultin

Ingredients

  • 4 medium-size fresh strawberries (sliced thinly)
  • 4 fresh basil leaves (plus more for garnish)
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • 3 fl ounces vodka
  • 1 cup lemon kombucha
  • 1 cup ice cubes

Instructions

  • In the bottom of 2 rocks glasses (can also use mason jars), muddle 2 strawberries and 2 basil leaves with 1/2 teaspoon honey each of 2 rocks glasses until leaves are crushed and berries are soft and juicy.
  • Add 1.5 fluid ounces vodka in each glass and then add 1/2 cup kombucha to each. Fill to the top with more ice and stir to combine. Garnish with basil leaves and serve immediately.
Tried this recipe?Mention @champagnenutrition

2 Comments

  1. Casey on June 8, 2020 at 6:14 am

    I made this cocktail this weekend and it was so good! Super refreshing while laying out by the pool. Thanks for the recipe!

    • Ginger Hultin on June 10, 2020 at 7:05 pm

      So glad to hear it – thanks! Enjoy!

4.34 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Ginger Hultin,MS, RD, CSO

Integrative nutrition specialist helping clients navigate complex health conditions to reduce inflammation and feel better.

Thanks for visiting! If you're struggling with a cancer diagnosis, autoimmune condition, gut health problems, or even a medical mystery, nutrition can make a HUGE difference in your day-to-day life. I run a virtual, concierge private practice where I partner with my clients over time to help them improve their health through nutrition. Be sure to visit the blog for easy, plant-based, anti-inflammatory recipes and our "Resources" page for a variety of self-paced programs, books, e-books, and nutrition podcast episodes.

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