Simple Watermelon Mint Kombucha
This watermelon mint kombucha is the ultimate summer staple — light, fizzy, and bursting with fresh flavor. It’s naturally probiotic, endlessly refreshing, and super easy to make.
Let’s be honest: nothing says summer quite like juicy watermelon and cooling mint. Watermelon mint kombucha is the perfect mix of sweet, fruity, and refreshing.
This is a second fermentation recipe, which means you’ll need some unflavored kombucha from the first fermentation stage. If you’re new to brewing, check out our Kombucha Brewing Guide For beginners to get started..
It’s really easy to make this brew: blend fresh watermelon and mint, strain, mix with your first fermentation kombucha, and bottle for 3–5 days. That’s it! You’ll end up with a naturally carbonated, gently tangy drink that’s perfect for summer sipping.
If you’re looking for more kombucha flavoring inspiration, don’t miss our other favorites:
- Apple Kombucha (With Fresh Apples And Apple Juice)
- Ginger Kombucha
- Coffee Kombucha
- Sage Kombucha
- Passion Fruit kombucha
Did you know that you can also make kombucha from green tea? That’s called jun kombucha. Start with our Jun Kombucha Guide for Beginners and try our favorite variation: Blueberry Jam and Lavender Jun Kombucha.
Table of Contents
Ingredients & Tools
Ingredients
- Watermelon – The juicer and fresher the better!
- Mint – Fresh mint will give the best flavor, if that is not available make mint tea and cool it off before adding.
- First fermentation kombucha – This should be unflavored, so brewed with only tea and sugar, or other sweetener.
Tools
- Fermentation grade bottles with swing tops – Regular bottles tend to be too thin and can explode as the carbonation is building up, so you need fermentation-grade bottles such as these.
- Funnel – makes the bottling easy.
- Fine mesh strainer – for a finer texture of your watermelon mint kombucha.
How to Make Watermelon Mint kombucha (Step-by-Step)
1. Blend Watermelon and Mint
- Slice about 2 kg (4.4 lbs) of watermelon and remove the green rind.
- If the watermelon has many black seeds, remove them.
- Add the cleaned watermelon to a blender along with 10–20 fresh mint leaves, depending on how strong you want the mint flavor.
- Blend until smooth, adding a few tablespoons of water if needed to help it blend more easily.
2. Bottle kombucha
- Clean your fermentation-grade bottles. We’re using 3 bottles, each about 0.75 liters (approximately 3 cups).
- Place a funnel in each bottle and set a fine mesh strainer on top.
- Evenly distribute the watermelon and mint juice between the bottles, then top up with the first fermentation kombucha liquid.
- Be sure not to overfill — leave about 2–3 cm of headspace to allow room for natural carbonation.
3. Ferment
- Place the bottled kombucha in a dark spot away from direct sunlight — a cupboard or basement works well.
- Let it ferment at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. Taste it daily to check the flavor and fizz level. Keep in mind that kombucha ferments faster in warmer environments.
- Once you’re happy with the taste and carbonation, move the bottles to the fridge. For best flavor, enjoy within one week.
Flavor & Fermentation Tips
How to control kombucha sweetness / tanginess
The fermentation process gradually transforms kombucha from sweet to tangy. Each day, it becomes less sweet and more acidic, depending on temperature and sugar content. The best way to control the flavor? Taste it daily during second fermentation until you reach your perfect balance of sweetness and tang.
How to make it fizzier
Not getting enough fizz in your kombucha? Try adding a teaspoon of sugar or honey to each bottle before sealing it. This gives the live cultures more food to produce natural carbonation (CO2). Let the bottles sit at room temperature for another 12–24 hours, and you should notice a difference in bubble action!
Ideas for substitution
- Swap mint for basil for a similar herbal note with an extra refreshing twist.
- Add a splash of lime juice to boost acidity and complexity of your watermelon mint kombucha recipe. This is perfect if you love tart flavors.
- Stir in a bit of hibiscus tea for deeper fruity notes and a beautiful ruby-red color.
Storage & Serving Suggestions
Once your Watermelon mint kombucha kombucha is ready, store it in the fridge to slow down fermentation. It will keep well for at least a week. The flavor might change slightly, but not drastically. Even after a month, kombucha is perfectly safe to drink, though it will likely taste more sour over time.
Recipe video
Watermelon mint kombucha
Equipment
- 1 Blender
- 3 0.75 liters bottles Fermentation grade bottles with swing top
- 1 Funnel
- 1 Fine mesh strainer
Ingredients
- 2 kg Watermelon
- 20 leaves Fresh mint
- 2 liters First fermentation kombucha
Instructions
Blend Watermelon & Mint
- Slice 2 kg (4.4 lbs) of watermelon and remove the rind and black seeds.
- Blend with 10–20 mint leaves until smooth, adding a splash of water if needed.
Bottle
- Clean 3 x 0.75 L (3-cup) bottles.
- Use a funnel and fine strainer to divide the juice between bottles.
- Top with first fermentation kombucha, leaving 2–3 cm headspace.
Ferment
- Store in a dark place for 3–5 days.
- Taste daily. Once you like the flavor and fizz, refrigerate.
- Best enjoyed within one week.
Notes
- Use fermentation-grade bottles to avoid explosions.
- Be sure not to overfill — leave about 2–3 cm of headspace to allow room for natural carbonation.
- Taste it daily to check the flavor and fizz level. Keep in mind that kombucha ferments faster in warmer environments.
- The fizz depends on sugar, time, and temperature. Add 1 tsp sugar or honey per bottle before sealing, then ferment for 12–24 more hours for extra bubbles.
Nutrition
FAQs
1. Why is my kombucha not fizzy?
The level of fizziness depends on the sugar content, fermentation time, and room temperature. Try adding a teaspoon of sugar or honey to each bottle before sealing it. This gives the live cultures more food to produce natural carbonation (CO2). Let the bottles sit at room temperature for another 12–24 hours, and you should notice a difference in bubble action.
2. What are health benefits of kombucha?
Kombucha is rich in probiotics, which can support gut health and digestion. It also contains antioxidants and small amounts of B vitamins. Some studies suggest it may support immune function and blood sugar regulation. For more science-backed info, check out this detailed guide on kombucha’s health benefits from Healthline.
I’ve been making kombucha for years, but I just started making watermelon and mint flavor this summer, and it quickly became everyone’s favorite. I hope you give it a go and leave us a rating!
Watermelon kombucha has become my favorite. It is refreshing and very tasty. Thank you very much for the recipe. 😊🍹
We’re so glad to hear you love watermelon kombucha, it’s THE flavor of the summer!