Looking for something red white and blue to serve at your Independence Day BBQ? Or how about just red. Cuz that’s what I actually have for you. Cherry kombucha is probably my very favorite or at least my most frequently-made kombucha. It’s is what I throw in my bag or picnic basket for everything of a potluck-y nature in the summer, knowing that even those who don’t love kombucha can rarely resist its ruby charms.
The easy, longer way to do this is to stick a jar of finished kombucha in the fridge with about 10-20% whole cherries in (~3/4 of a cup cherries per quart jar of booch). I let it stew in there for a week or longer (it really just gets better and better for up to a month). It takes on a gorgeous, deep red color and tastes like summer.
The way that I’m going to recommend to you today is a bit more work, but is both faster and fizzier since it’s a true secondary fermentation.
I’ve been digging on these 32 oz growlers for all of my secondary beverage fermentation since a friend gave me a couple as Secret Santa gift last year. They are pretty, sleek and they do a very nice job of trapping fizz. With my intense number of ferments, I never have a ton of space in the fridge. And with only two of us in the family (the dog isn’t a kombucha fan) drinking this stuff, I don’t like to bottle a ton at a time.
Lucky you, dear reader, Fillmore Container has these gorgeous, amber “growlettes” for a super low price (seriously, try pricing them elsewhere. The difference is nuts), as well as some larger-sized options for those of you who have more space in and around your fridge. One of you will have the chance to win two of these growlers and a stainless steel strainer that will help you make this version of my Cherry Cherry Booch Booch (Gaga? Anyone?). You’ll be brewing flavorful secondaries of all kinds of ‘booch in no time. These are also great for fermented beverages of other kinds from beer to water kefir.
CHERRY CHERRY BOOCH BOOCH (CHERRY KOMBUCHA RECIPE)
yields one quart of cherry kombucha, scales well || Fermentation Time 3 days || Active Time 30 minutes ||
There are a lot of ways to end up with a fizzier ferment, but the best way to get fizzy booch is to bottle your tea when it’s still sweet. If you’re in the habit of letting it get to the sourer side of Sears, you’ll want to curtail that habit and cut fermentation time by a goodly amount. I keep two continuous brew systems going: one for immediate drinking and one for bottling. I’m not recommending that, I’m just offering up that you’ll need a “fresher” brew if you want bottling to lead to bubbles.
Ingredients
- 8oz sweet cherries
- 3 cups finished but still sweet kombucha, divided
How-to
- Pit your cherries. Place them into a food processor or blender with about a 1/2 cup of the finished kombucha and blend until liquified.
- Pour the mixture into your growler and add the remaining kombucha.
- Seal your container tightly, keeping in mind that you need to keep a close eye on glass containers. Although these containers are built to withstand the pressure of internal carbonation, explosions can happen. See the notes below for some tips on bottling in glass.
- Allow your bottle to sit at room temperature for 2 days, or until you are sure that full carbonation occurred (by using one of the methods below).
- Stick your growlette in the fridge overnight or for at least a few hours until chilled. Feel free to leave it in your fridge for a week.
- Once it’s chilled, strain the kombucha into glasses for drinking. Garnishing the rim with a cherry and enjoy! The remaining kombucha stores extremely well.
Notes on bottling in glass vessels:
Many people bottle in glass and stick a raisin in there. When the raisin floats to the top, you know the beverage is carbonated. That doesn’t work well here for a couple of reasons. First, it’s a little tricky (but not impossible) to see in the amber bottles. More importantly, as much as you may blend, you cherries will not be truly liquid unless you strain them out before you bottle. That’s a viable option, but I think more flavor is imparted if straining happens after secondary fermentation. So the deal is that any cherry solids left will almost immediately rise to the top. They’ll impede you from seeing the raisin’s rise and defeat the purpose. In other words, I don’t recommend using the risin’ raisin for this particular carbonation process.
Instead, bottle another batch in a plastic container. When the container is too hard to squeeze, you’ll know it’s time to stick your glass bottles in the fridge. You can do the same with a quart ball jar, and keep tabs on the lid. When it’s puffed and hard or misshapen by the pressure, it’s time for everyone to head into the cool spots.
I personally keep my glass bottles or growlers either inside a small cooler or in a double paper grocery bag. If there’s an explosion, at least it won’t be in my face.
Again, explosions are quite unlikely to happen with a secondary kombucha, but they are definitely possible so due care and attention should be paid.
GIVEAWAY
Now for that giveaway! Disclosure – I loved these growlers so much that I asked Fillmore Container if they would offer them to readers. They agreed and also sent me a couple, plus some larger growlers, the stainless steel funnel strainer and the mason jar cherry pitter to play around with. Opinions on all items are my own. And while we’re on the topic of opinions, I would never have thought I needed a cherry pitter. I was quite content with my wine bottle/chopstick method until this little beauty came along. It’s CRAZY how much more efficient and cherry-saving it is. Here’s a video from Fillmore on how to use it properly.
Andrea says
This cherry kombucha sounds so good! I made a second ferment of cherry rooibos kombucha and it turned out great. Always looking for nice containers to put it in, now that I have some family members willing to try it. And I love the idea of fresh fruit in the second ferment instead of sugar.
Jon says
I would definitely use one of those for bottling! And I definitely agree about using at least one plastic container as the guage for the rest of the batch’s secondary fermentation. Also I’m not sure I correctly signed up for your email updates but I do want to be on the list, I think there was an error when I clicked on it just now :/
Sarah says
I just made some cherry shrub with kombucha vinegar and it is amazing! I’m definitely in love with that funnel.
When doing a 2nd ferment, I just burp my bottles once a day. When the booch (or kefir) gets good and carbonated, I give it one more day and then refrigerate. I get different fizz in each bottle so this gives me better results.
Julie says
Love booch…..my favorite lately has been cranberry or raspberry
Erin says
I make about 3 gallons of kombucha every two weeks. As I was decanting this weekend, my partner said to me, after eyeing the many grolsche bottles on the countertop, “I believe we are at Kombucha Capacity.” Love this cherry idea. My first inclination would have been to juice the berries, but I’ll definitely be trying them whole!
Kristin says
Wow, this all looks fantastic! If I won I think I’d have to do some fruit with a pit first – just so I can test everything out. 😉 I’m thinking strawberries!
Lisa P says
Love the strainer! It would definitely come in handy for my kombucha making, as would the growlers. I have flavored my kombucha with organic cherry juice (tried both tart and black), but have not tried the actual fruit yet.
Danielle says
I love the raisen idea for glassware. I will for sures be trying that.
Mark S says
Haven’t tried booch so I would use it to give it a go!
Kirsten Henrickson says
I’ve just started brewing kombucha and am having so much fun. This giveaway would add to the pleasure!
Barbara says
I’d love to make this with a recap lid! I’ve never made or drunk any kombucha before, so this will be a first at both, but I’ll bet the cherry is magnificent! Thanks!
Margot C says
I think I might start by making your Green Kombucha Recipe.
Eileen says
Such a pretty color! And I think that strainer would be super useful for filtering schnappses and other liqueur infusions. I think I would try out a batch of homemade cider with a RECAp. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Caroline says
I would use the recap to make kombucha and/or kefir water. I make both regularly.
Candi says
Boocha!
Andrea G says
The cherry flavor looks like a great idea. That third picture of the cherries with the water beads on it looks so good! Never been to Fillmore Container but it is on the list for a road trip this summer!
Risa says
I love ginger kombucha but I’ll have to re-evaluate what my favorite is once I try this cherry recipe!
Naomi says
Ginger!
Elizabeth G. says
I like strawberry kombucha.
Deb says
I made kombucha over 20 years ago. I stopped because I realized I had learned more than my mentor, there was pink fuzz growing in my container, and I didn’t know what to do about it. Seems a lot has been learned about fermenting in the last 2 decades. ;> I recently got a scoby and it should be about done with it’s first batch. I’m excited to try it and try the 2nd fermentation – which we never heard of 20 years ago. Cherries are in season for a few more days – thanks for this wonderful idea.
Amanda says
I love that, Deb! So glad you’ve come back to fermenting! Enjoy your booch, secondary or no!
mysweetiepiepie says
My favorite kombucha favor is cherry I think.
Brooke says
Just making my first batch of kombucha. I’m still waiting for the scoby to grow! Excited to make different flavors! Thanks for the recipe!
Amanda says
Congrats on joining our ranks! I hope everything turns out perfectly! If it doesn’t, no worries! Come on back and poke around or comment for some help!
–Amanda
Judy Fain says
Muscadine grape! YUM!
Amanda says
Yes, I’m with you! One of my favorite fermenteries, Food and Ferments, makes a grape version that is deeeeeeevine!
Michelle says
I haven’t yet tried kombucha but it’s next on my list and cherry sounds amazing!
Julie says
Cherry kombucha sounds really good!
Megan says
I would love to begin my foray into fermented drinks with these lovely bottles!
Bradley says
I actually have yet to try kombucha but it is on my long backlog of ferments to experiment with. I like the idea of a spiced apple one, though.
Amanda says
Definitely, Bradley! Great for fall and winter!
Renee says
I’m quite new at this fermenting deal, and honestly can’t remember the one time I tried kombucha–but we’re planning to make some and this would be awesome!
shelly says
Wow! never made kombucha-gonna try it right now, while cherries are in season!
Jennifer says
Yummm. I’ve never tried cherry, so far my favorite flavor is mango.
Lori N. says
The Cherry kombucha sounds amazing.I would love to try this.I haven’t tried fermenting yeah but have been eagerly reading books on it
Julie says
OMG I love kombucha but have never attempted to make it. This could be my crossover! 😉
And if not, I’ll attend one of your classes and get into it! haha.
Stephanie from Minnesota From Scratch says
Ginger! MmmMMmmm
Lisa C says
So far my favorite has been Ginger-peach – but this cherry will be my next flavor to try!
Betty Nickles says
The cherry kombucha looks really good. I plan on trying it soon.
Judith Rice says
I am so excited to try this. I just bought some fresh cherries yesterday and my Kombucha is ready so I will put the two together today, and give it a try. I Love fresh cherries so I ‘m sure I am going to love this new drink.Thank you!! Judith
Amanda says
Wonderful! I haven’t had my first cherries of the season yet! Can’t wait!