Hard Kombucha: What to Know and 8 to Try

Kombucha has come a long way. While the fermented tea is thought to have originated in China thousands of years ago, it first hit America’s radar back in the 1980s and ’90s, gaining popularity among the growing “wellness” movement. Initially hailed for its purported health benefits, it became a mainstay of the earthy, crunchy crowd, many of whom began brewing their own ‘booch. 

By the early aughts, however, kombucha had become commercial. It was no longer just in health-food stores or mason jars at home, but in beautifully packaged bottles at supermarkets and even corner bodegas. It was still a “health” drink, to be sure—one of its main selling points is that its live cultures are said to contribute to a healthy gut microbiome—but, now, a mainstream one. 

And then, as seems to happen eventually with nearly all popular liquids, an alcoholic version, referred to as “hard kombucha,” rose to the forefront. All kombucha is naturally alcoholic, but the alcohol is present in merely trace amounts. It’s made by steeping tea leaves in hot water and sugar, then adding a little bit of kombucha (from a previous batch or the store) and leaving it to ferment at room temperature for a few weeks, which is what produces the alcohol. 

Hard kombucha is made by leveling up the fermentation process. After the initial fermentation, brewers add more sugar and a new strain of yeast to the mixture, then lock it inside a fermentation tank for another week or two, resulting in an increased alcohol content. 

Just as the hard seltzer market seems to be plateauing, hard kombucha is having its own moment: What was once a relatively rare find now has its own section at many retailers. But contrary to hard seltzers, which all tend to have similar flavor profiles, each hard kombucha can taste wildly different. This makes sense, given that they contain live cultures and an array of ingredients, but it also makes many drinkers reluctant to commit to a six-pack of a product they haven’t tasted yet. Rather than leaving you to merely your gut (pun intended), this guide will help you decide which ‘booch is right for you. 

These are eight to try.