The Best Summer Flavors for DIY Kombucha

Last Updated on June 20, 2024 by Michelle

With fall less than a week away, I’m holding on to summer with all I got.

I’m paddle boarding daily, before the New England lake water gets too frigid for my bare toes. I’m in the garden. A lot. And I’m drinking all my favorite summer flavored kombucha.

Don’t forget about the first ferment…

Before I list the best summer flavors for kombucha, I have to point out that while the second ferment flavor is fun to experiment with, it’s your FIRST ferment that can truly make or break your kombucha.

You want to use the right teas for the taste your family loves. I list all our favorites here.
You want to know how to ferment it for the right amount of time, both in the first and the second ferments.
And you want to consider what first ferment teas go best with your second ferment flavors.

DIY kombucha is easy! (unless it’s not…)

Don’t let my little list above overwhelm you. I spent years learning and perfecting all of these details.

…I threw rotten-tasting kombucha down the drain.

…I used the wrong teas.

…And, I killed a scoby.

But once I realized the easy tips and tricks to perfect kombucha every. stinkin. time. I knew I had to share everything with you.

Because it’s SO EASY guys! I created this 12-module Master Class to walk you through all I wish I had known when I first started making kombucha.

Since I released this Master Class (which was years in the making!), folks from around the world are messaging me that they had no idea just how easy perfect DIY kombucha could be, and their families are loving their brews.

Success.

5 tips for making the best flavors of kombucha:

Experiment with your first ferment teas. Don’t think you should always and only use black tea. Not only is that not true, but you will eventually run into some difficulties with your brew and you’re missing out of so many possible, wonderful flavors! (I explain all you want to know about choosing your first ferment teas in my master class: Simple DIY Kombucha.)
Try some dried flowers in your second ferment. Seriously. (You’ll strain them out before you drink it, but the flavor they leave behind can be wonderful.)
Add your favorite fruit juices in your second ferment. Heck, combine a few of your favorites in one bottle of kombucha!
Start with the best teas. Both the 3 Sisters and the Mossy Rock teas you’ll find here are wonderful teas that compliment many second ferment flavorings.
Consider adding flavored teas for second ferment flavor. This one is one of my favorites!

If all of this seems like jargon…

Maybe you’re not sure what first and second ferment means,
Or you have no idea how to build up a carbonation in your kombucha,
And maybe you bulk at what flavors to use to make delicious combinations…

No worries! I put this all together for you in one simple place.

And, bonus, after you’re made just a few batches you will have more than saved the cost of this Master Class! You’ll be making your own DIY kombucha for just pennies a batch.

Read here for my cost analysis of DIY vs. store-bought kombucha. It’s really crazy how much you save by doing it yourself.

What are the best flavors for DIY kombucha in the summer?

There are so many wonderful kombucha flavors that taste perfect in the summer. (Please leave a comment on this post and share YOUR favorites!) But here are some of our family’s favorites:

Orange & vanilla (think creamsicle!)
Peach basil
Ginger
Ginger peach
Lemon
Blueberry
Blueberry ginger
Blueberry mint
Raspberry
Raspberry mint
Blueberry raspberry mint
Grapefruit rosemary

What is THE best flavor for summer kombucha?

My favorite DIY kombucha flavor that yells “summer” to me?

Lemon Lavender… the chunks of lemon provide such a refreshingness, and the lavender is YUM. This kombucha tastes like floral lemonade y’all, and it’s perfect to sip while sitting in the shade on a gorgeous summer day.

Lemon Lavender Kombucha (perfect for summer!)

Make your first ferment using a combination of white, rooibos, and black teas (I link to my favorites here.)

Then, for a 1/2-gallon second ferment, add:

1 TB organic lavender lemon tea

1/4 tsp lemon juice

Let sit for 24-72 hours then enjoy, when the carbonation and taste is just the way you like it.

Totally DIY version, for similar flavor:

1 TB dried lavender

1 tsp lemon juice (or a few chunks of fresh lemon)

And a Lemon Lavender Chamomile that is wonderful:

1 TB organic lavender chamomile tea

1 tsp lemon juice (or a few chunks of fresh lemon)

Talk to me!

If you have any questions, leave a comment below. And please tag me (with the hashtag #simpleDIYkombucha) on ig to show me your delicious kombucha flavors @souly.rested.