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Home Eat Drinks

Ginger Pepper Kombucha

4.86 from 7 votes
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By: Sarah BondUpdated: Sep 18, 2022 13 Comments

This post contains affiliate links.

Hand holding ginger kombucha glasses

Looking for an exciting new flavor to try out on your homemade kombucha? This Ginger Pepper Kombucha recipe takes classic ginger kombucha and gives it a spicy kick!

Pepper ginger kombucha in bottles

This is the first of what is bound to be many special kombucha flavors…the tulip-man editions! While I tend to stick to the classics (see Mango and Blueberry Kombucha), the tulip-man loves to go crazy with flavors when it comes to cooking.

And with his very first batch of kombucha being a major success, I don’t think there will be any stopping him now.

That’s right, this Ginger Pepper Kombucha was his first try at making kombucha, and it’s so good. It tastes a bit like ginger beer with a hint of spicy kick. It’s less sweet than the fruity kombuchas, and more something I would serve at a dinner party to make people think I’m *distinguished* (or even use as a cocktail mixer, hollahhh!)

Ginger kombucha in fermentation bottles

There are two main fermentation phases when making homemade kombucha:

  1. First Fermentation: This is when you transform sweet tea into tart and delicious kombucha (see our comprehensive guide to homemade kombucha here)
  2. Second Fermentation: This is when you carbonate the kombucha by adding sugars and bottling it.

In order to make this Ginger Pepper Kombucha, you will need to have completed the first fermentation already and have some kombucha that’s ready to be carbonated!

Hand holding ginger kombucha glasses

Ingredients to make Ginger Pepper Kombucha

  • Kombucha from a first fermentation: You’ve brewed your kombucha with the help of your SCOBY and it’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart (step-by-step first fermentation kombucha instructions here).
  • Ginger: Ginger always works well with kombucha! Aim for the freshest ginger you can find.
  • Pepper: You can use any variety of hot pepper here, like jalapeno or habanero.
  • Sugar: We’ll do a mix of honey and brown sugar to round it out with some caramelized flavors!
Ginger kombucha in fermentation bottles with SCOBY jar

How to Make Ginger Pepper Kombucha

Making your own flavored kombucha with ginger is super easy. The process goes something like this:

  1. Puree: Blend together the ginger and sugars to form a puree. The more surface area of the ingredients that are exposed to the tea, the more flavor and fizz you’ll have in the end!
  2. Bottle: Transfer kombucha to fermentation bottles, adding your ginger mixture evenly into each bottle, and finishing with a few slices of pepper.
  3. Ferment: For 3 to 10 days, until it reaches the carbonation level you like.
  4. Enjoy: Strain out ginger fibers and peppers (optional), then chill in the fridge before serving.
Pouring ginger pepper homemade kombucha flavor in a glass

Can you use ground ginger for kombucha?

Surprisingly yes! You can use dry ground ginger in kombucha – about 2 tsp per 1/2 gallon. Alternatively, you can add a few pieces of candied ginger to your bottles. For this Ginger Pepper Kombucha, however, we recommend you use fresh ginger.

Ginger pepper homemade kombucha flavor in a glass
Pepper ginger kombucha in bottles

Ginger Pepper Kombucha

4.86 from 7 votes
Prep: 3 days
Cook: 3 days
Author: Sarah Bond
Calories: 50kcal
Servings: 8 cups
Print Rate
Looking for an exciting new flavor to try out on your homemade kombucha? This Ginger Pepper Kombucha recipe takes classic ginger kombucha and gives it a spicy kick!

Ingredients

  • ½ gallon kombucha from a first fermentation this is not storebought kombucha, 1.9 L
  • 2 1-inch thumbs ginger peeled
  • ¼ cup honey 60 g
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar 15 g
  • ½ jalapeno, chili, or habenero pepper thinly sliced

Instructions 

  • Puree: Add ginger, honey, sugar, and about 1/2 cup of the kombucha to a blender, blitzing until smooth. Pour through a wire mesh sieve to remove ginger fibers, collecting the juice.
  • Bottle: Transfer remaining kombucha into fermentation bottles*, leaving about 3 inches empty at the top. Evenly divide ginger juice into bottles, then add pepper slices to each (about 2 slices per cup of kombucha). Seal tightly.
  • Ferment: Place in a dark, room temperature area for 3 to 10 days, until it reaches the carbonation level you like. This process will go faster in warmer climates, and slower in cooler climates.
  • Enjoy: Strain the kombucha to remove fibers and pepper (optional), then chill in the fridge before serving. Can be stored in the fridge, tightly sealed, for several weeks.

Tips & Tricks

*If this is your first time brewing, it may be helpful to use a plastic water bottle as a gauge. Fill a disposable plastic bottle with kombucha (leaving 2 inches empty at the top). When this bottle becomes rock hard, you’ll know the glass bottle are also ready. This will help you gauge how quickly kombucha brews in your climate and will prevent bottle explosions.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cup (differs by fermentation length) Calories: 50kcal (3%) Carbohydrates: 12g (4%) Protein: 0g Fat: 0g Sodium: 10mg Sugar: 10g (11%)
Did You Make This?

Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!

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More Kombucha Flavors To Try

Here are a few more of our favorite kombucha flavors (or check out our all-time favorite flavors here)

Blueberry Kombucha

Cooked blueberries bring deeply sweet and fruity flavor.

Zingy Raspberry Kombucha

A copycat inspired by the zingy Trilogy kombucha! (Recipe on our sister site, BrewBuch.com).

Strawberry Kombucha

A ruby red classic that's as easy as blending and fermenting.

Peach Pie Kombucha

Sweet like pie with hints of maple and vanilla.

Chia Seed Kombucha

My favorite addition to kombucha...chia seeds! (Recipe on our sister site, BrewBuch.com).

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  1. Sarah | Well and Full says

    Posted on 7/25 at 3:15 pm

    This kombucha sounds fabulous!! I drink so much kombucha, I need to start making my own 😉

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 7/29 at 10:51 am

      Thanks so much, Sarah! You should try it, I think you’d love it! Such a fun project 😀

  2. Eugene Chrysovergis says

    Posted on 7/25 at 10:10 pm

    Sarah, nothing beats Kombucha! I just made my first homemade Kombucha, and really love it. 2nd fermentation with apple juice and cinnamon. I tried water Kefir but I don’t like it at all! Thanks for the recipes and info..

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 7/26 at 10:17 am

      So happy you’re liking it, Eugene! Apple cinnamon sounds delicious! 😀

  3. Kathy says

    Posted on 11/12 at 9:22 pm

    I am making my second batch & cutting the recipe in half BUT I added 1 cup of sugar instead of 1/2 cup, will that still work ok, it’s my second day, I guess I could brew some more tea and split into 2 containers. Ideas???

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 11/13 at 9:32 am

      Hi Kathy! Yep, you should just brew some more tea so that the ratio of sugar to tea is the same as in the instructions. Then split into two containers (or if you have a big enough container, leave it all in one). Happy brewing!

  4. KIM BUENTING says

    Posted on 4/7 at 11:59 pm

    Hi there,

    I was searching for recipe ideas and came across your web site.
    You are very informative and explain the process well In the 2nd
    fermentation stage I have not been adding extra sugar {honey}.
    It is sweet enough for me, what would the benefit of adding it be?
    I can fine-tune my recipes.
    I love lemon and ginger and a new favorite flavor of raspberry and rosemary.
    I have a batch in the 1st stage and am going to try your ginger pepper recipe!

    Thanks for the recipes~

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 4/8 at 12:00 pm

      Hi Kim! The sugar/honey is to “feed” the kombucha to help it carbonate better. If you don’t find that you need it, you’re free to leave it out! 🙂 Happy brewing!

  5. Glenn says

    Posted on 10/24 at 10:21 pm

    Sarah;

    I started making Kombucha because of you, and now I can’t understand why I ever used store bought.
    The ginger pepper flavor sounds incredible.
    I will certainly give it a try.

    Glenn

    Reply
  6. Christy says

    Posted on 8/18 at 4:39 am

    Hello!
    I grow Fresno peppers in my garden. Would they work for this recipe?
    Thanks!
    -Christy B.

    Reply
    • Sarah Bond says

      Posted on 8/18 at 10:22 am

      Yes, I think they would work! 😀

  7. shannon says

    Posted on 11/9 at 1:33 pm

    Thank you breaking it down. I Have tried so many times to get the second fermentation right, and the flavor. Never worked, no carbonation. This time, the flavor tastes correct. Can’t wait for the lovely bubbles to begin. Oh, and putting some in a plastic bottle to gauge the carbonation! Thank you! Bottling today and next time I’ll try doing the ginger pepper. I’ve been buying the Kirkland brand lemon ginger, and love that one. None of the others I’ve tried compare to Costco’s. I did not use green tea, I did use my matcha, so for in one gallon, I used one level teaspoon. And got it right this time! Success at last. The flavor is spot on. I plan on filling the 16 ounce bottles from the Kirkland kombucha but holding back a lot of liquid for the new skoby that formed and some for the 1&1/2 in older one, some to drink with some carbonated water to try right away. The rest in glass bottles, and your suggestion for a plastic control bottle. Such a gift from you!5 stars

    Reply
    • Sarah Bond says

      Posted on 11/10 at 11:34 am

      I’m so happy to hear it’s working for, Shannon! Enjoy! 😀

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