A little fizzy, a little boozy, and way too easy to sip—this kombucha cocktail is light, tart, and refreshingly effortless. We’re mixing bubbly kombucha, smooth vodka, and a quick homemade blueberry syrup for a drink that’s equal parts fancy and low-maintenance.
Kombucha in a cocktail? Sure, why not. It’s fizzy, tart, a little funky—in a good way—and pairs surprisingly well with a splash of something strong. This one is light but bold, simple but a little extra, and just the right mix of refreshing and boozy. The best part? It takes almost no effort—just pour, stir, sip, and enjoy.
This kombucha cocktail keeps things easy: a pour of kombucha (the fizzy backbone), a splash of vodka (because, again, this is a cocktail), and a quick homemade blueberry syrup that gives it that yes, I totally made a fancy cocktail moment. It’s bright, smooth, and ready for any occasion—weeknight wind-down or weekend happy hour. Grab a bottle of booch and let’s do this!
What Makes Kombucha a Great Mixer?
Kombucha isn’t just for sipping straight—it turns out, it makes a surprisingly great cocktail mixer. It’s naturally bubbly, a little tart, and just sweet enough to balance out the bite of whatever you’re mixing it with. Unlike soda or juice, it has a crisp, almost dry quality that keeps drinks light and refreshing instead of overly sugary.
The key is picking the right kombucha flavor to match your cocktail vibes. Fruity flavors like berry, citrus, or ginger tend to play best with vodka, gin, or tequila, but honestly, there are no rules—just go with what sounds good. Not sure which kombucha to use? We’ve got you—check out our Best Kombucha Brands guide for some top picks.
Key Ingredients
A short ingredient list, a big payoff—that’s the kind of cocktail we love. Everything here is easy to find, simple to mix, and totally customizable to your taste. If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly vodka, you’re in luck—many brands are already vegan by default! Absolut, Tito’s, and Grey Goose are solid options, but you can always double-check your favorite brand on Barnivore, a great resource for making sure your booze is vegan. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Kombucha: Any fruity flavor works, but berry, citrus, or ginger pair especially well.
- Vodka: Absolut, Tito’s, and Grey Goose are all vegan-friendly options.
- Blueberry Agave Syrup: A homemade syrup with fresh blueberries and agave for a touch of natural sweetness.
- Ice: Because no one wants a warm cocktail.
- Fresh Blueberries: Optional, but they make it look extra pretty.
How to Make a Kombucha Cocktail
No cocktail shakers, no fancy bar tools—just a glass, some ice, and a quick stir. This is the kind of drink that feels a little special but takes almost zero effort. Need the blueberry syrup? Jump to the next section for the easy step-by-step, or scroll to the recipe card for all the details!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Step 1: Fill your glass with ice. Because a warm cocktail? Absolutely not.
- Step 2: Pour in the vodka. A little splash to set the mood.
- Step 3: Top with kombucha. Go slow—it’s fizzy, and an unexpected kombucha volcano is not the vibe.
- Step 4: Drizzle in the blueberry syrup. That deep berry swirl? A very good decision.
- Step 5: Give it a gentle stir. Enough to blend the flavors but not so much that you lose all that fizzy goodness.
- Step 6: Garnish with fresh blueberries. Optional, but adds a little pop and color.
- Step 7: Sip and enjoy. Feet up, world off, kombucha cocktail in hand.
How To Make Blueberry Syrup for Kombucha Cocktails (and More!)
A quick, fruit-forward syrup that makes everything better. Just a quick simmer, a little mash, and boom—you’ve got a deep, fruity syrup that makes not only cocktails, but also pancakes, and even oatmeal way more exciting. Feel free to make this beforehand and have it chilled in the fridge before you mix your cocktail. Here’s what you’ll do:
- Step 1: Simmer the blueberries & water. Toss them into a saucepan, bring to a gentle simmer, and let them do their thing for about 10-15 minutes.
- Step 2: Mash & strain. Give the berries a good mash to release all that deep, jammy flavor. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to get every last drop.
- Step 3: Stir in the agave. While it’s still warm, stir in the agave syrup until it melts right in.
- Step 4: Cool & store. Let it chill, then transfer to a sealed jar and pop it in the fridge. It’ll keep for about a week.
Other Ways to Use This Homemade Blueberry Syrup
This syrup is not just for cocktails—once you make a batch, you’ll want to drizzle it over everything. Here are a few easy ways to use it:
- Pancakes or waffles: A fruit-forward alternative or complement to maple syrup.
- Oatmeal, chia pudding, or yogurt: Swirl in for a little natural sweetness.
- Ice cream: Drizzle over vanilla, coconut, or lemon sorbet.
- Mocktails: Mix with sparkling water and a squeeze of lime for a fun non-alcoholic drink.
- Tea or lemonade: Stir into iced tea or fresh lemonade for a fruity twist.
Store it in the fridge for up to a week and enjoy!
Kombucha Cocktail Variations & Substitutions
This kombucha cocktail is super flexible, so if blueberry isn’t your thing—or you just want to mix it up—here are some other flavor combos to try. Omit the blueberry syrup for these variations, or swap in a different fruit syrup if you’re feeling fancy.
Citrus & Spice (bright and refreshing!)
- Kombucha: Ginger or lemon kombucha
- Fruit pairing: Fresh orange juice or a splash of citrus syrup
Berry & Herb (fruity with a fresh twist!)
- Kombucha: Strawberry or mixed berry kombucha
- Fruit pairing: Muddled basil or mint
Tropical & Tart (vacation vibes in a glass!)
- Kombucha: Pineapple or mango kombucha
- Fruit pairing: A squeeze of lime + a little coconut water
Stone Fruit & Floral (smooth and subtly sweet!)
- Kombucha: Peach or apricot kombucha
- Fruit pairing: A drizzle of vegan honey or agave
Best Alcohols to Mix with Kombucha
- Gin: Works best with citrusy or herby flavors (think lemon kombucha + fresh thyme).
- Tequila: Loves tropical flavors (try pineapple kombucha + lime).
- Rum: Pairs well with sweet and spiced notes (ginger kombucha + muddled mint = yum).
Basically, if it sounds good, it probably is. Play around, taste as you go, and make this drink your own.
FAQs
Kombucha pairs well with vodka, gin, tequila, and rum, depending on the flavor. Vodka is the most neutral and lets the kombucha shine, while gin adds an herby, botanical twist. Tequila works well with citrus or tropical flavors, and rum pairs nicely with spiced or fruity kombucha like ginger or mango. Whatever you choose, go for a kombucha that complements the spirit instead of competing with it.
Yes! Kombucha makes a great cocktail mixer because it’s naturally fizzy, slightly tart, and just sweet enough to balance the alcohol. Unlike soda or juice, it has a crisp, fermented quality that keeps drinks light and refreshing instead of overly sugary. The key is choosing a kombucha flavor that enhances the cocktail—berry, citrus, and ginger tend to work best.
Absolutely! A kombucha mocktail is just as refreshing—just skip the vodka and add a splash of sparkling water for extra fizz. You can also muddle fresh fruit or herbs to bring in more depth, or try a squeeze of citrus for extra brightness. Kombucha has enough flavor on its own to hold up as a great non-alcoholic drink.
The Best Snacks to Pair with Your Kombucha Cocktail
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Kombucha Cocktail
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
for the simple blueberry syrup:
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup agave syrup (or to taste)
for the cocktail:
- Ice
- 2 ounces vodka
- 2–3 cups kombucha (any fruity flavor)
- generous drizzle blueberry agave syrup (or to taste)
- Fresh blueberries, for garnish
Instructions
to make the simple syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries and water over medium heat.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, and let cook for 10–15 minutes, until the blueberries start to burst and soften.
- Use a spoon or fork to mash the berries to help release their juices.
- Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Return the liquid to the pan (heat off) and stir in the agave syrup until fully dissolved.
- Let cool and store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a week.
to make the cocktail:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour in the vodka, then top with the kombucha and stir.
- Drizzle in the blueberry syrup, then stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with fresh blueberries (if you’re feeling fancy).
- Sip and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Simmered
- Cuisine: American
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