At this time of the year there are two recipes that are staples in almost every kitchen. Those are elderberry syrup and kombucha. Kombucha is a great source of beneficial bacteria, enzymes and vitamins while elderberry is a traditional remedy to ward off illness. Mix the two ingredients to make fizzy and easy to make kombucha soda that is delicious and will boost you immune system.
What is Kombucha?
If you’ve never made it or tried it before, Kombucha is a traditional fermented tea that contains enzymes, probiotics and vitamins. Tea that is sweetened is used for its brewing. However, in the process of generation probiotics and enzymes the sugar is fermented. Therefore, the final product has minimum amount of sugar.
Below is a tutorial for how to make Kombucha. If you don’t want to make DIY version of it, many discount, big box or grocery stores sell kombucha that is pre-made.
Benefits of Elderberry?
Elderberries are a traditional remedy for colds and flu. Elderberry tinctures, syrups, and capsules can be also found in grocery stores.
We prefer to make our own elderberry syrup with dried elderberries so we can make sure we use quality ingredients. Here is our original elderberry syrup recipe.
What to do:
When Kombucha Soda and Elderberry Syrup are combined the result is completely carbonated drink with a little bit of sweet taste. This is an excellent way to fell the benefits of kombucha and elderberry in just one drink. There are two ways to make elderberry kombucha:
- First Version (Simple): Use homemade kombucha and elderberry syrup that is pre-made. The carbonation is created by the sugar from the elderberry syrup. The sugar is the starting compound of the second fermentation (read the recipe for how and why to do a ferment that is secondary). To achieve this just add the elderberry syrup to the kombucha. You can also just add 1 teaspoon of elderberry syrup to a glass of pre-carbonated homemade or pre-made kombucha and drink immediately.
- Second Version (Basic): If you haven’t bought elderberry syrup, a secondary ferment can be simply made by putting dried elderberries (1 tbsp) together with organic, raw sugar (1 tsp), That will be fermented, into a mason jar (32 ounce) of kombucha (bought in a store or homemade). Use a lid that is airtight to tightly cap the mixture. It takes 2-3 days at room temperature to achieve the carbonation that is desired. After that you can start drinking it and keep it in the fridge.
Elderberry Kombucha Soda Recipe
Delicious elderberry kombucha soda is a combination of the boosting immune benefits of elderberry with the kombucha’s enzymes as well as probiotics for a health promoting and delicious drink.
Ingredients:
- 32 ounces kombucha (premade or homemade)
- 1 tbsp elderberry syrup OR 1 tbsp dried elderberries + 1 tsp sugar
- A quart size jar with an airtight lid
Instructions:
- For the recipe that is simple, put pre-made elderberry syrup (1 tbsp.) into a jar (32 ounce) of kombucha. If the kombucha is already carbonated from a secondary ferment, this can be consumed immediately. If don’t want to consume immediately, tightly cap the jar using a lid that is airtight not to lose the carbonation. After 2-3 days put it in the fridge.
- For a recipe that is basic: If you haven’t bought elderberry syrup you can use dried elderberries, just add 1 tbsp. elderberries (dried) and organic sugar (1 tsp) to the jar (32 ounces) of kombucha that is brewed. Tightly cap the jar. After 2-3 days at room temperature put it in the fridge. Strain the elderberries out before drinking.
Enjoy 8 ounces per day.
Via: EmpoweredSustenance | WellnessMama
Image source: NaturallyLoriel
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