Whole Foods has released its list of the top ten food trends for 2021. Number eight on the list is hard kombucha (or, “boozed up booch,” as Whole Foods calls it). As better-for-you yet still hard options are growing in popularity, the grocery chain predicts that hard kombucha will be the next bubbly booze to have a big moment.

According to Whole Foods, “hard kombucha checks all the boxes: it’s gluten-free, it’s super bubbly and can be filled with live probiotic cultures. Cheers to that!”

The popular grocery chain has been right about upcoming drink crazes in the past. Notably, the Whole Foods trends list successfully predicted the rise of hard seltzer, naming it a top booze trend in early 2018.

Since it is about to be the next big thing, what exactly is kombucha? The elixir has been around for almost 2,000 years, originating in China. Essentially it is a fermented beverage made with tea, sugar, and yeast. It’s made by adding live yeast called a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) to the tea along with sugar.

After a week or two the fermentation process has worked its magic and the kombucha is fizzy and ready to drink. Although it naturally has a sweet and sour taste, fruit and other botanicals can be added to give it more flavor. Kombucha naturally contains probiotics (technically lactic-acid bacteria) as well as B vitamins, caffeine, and trace amounts of alcohol, although in traditional kombucha it is typically less than 0.5 percent.

Hard kombucha is similar, but brewed to contain more alcohol. Hard kombucha requires a few more rounds of fermentation, during which additional sugar and yeast are added, naturally increasing the alcohol content.

Whether you are a fan of traditional kombucha and are eager to try the hard version, or have never had kombucha but are excited to see what the new trend is all about, here are a few hard ”booch” brands we love.

June Shine

June Shine Hard Kombucha  was created to fill a void the owners saw in the market for a sustainable and transparent alcoholic option. Each 12 ounce can contains low carbs, natural sweeteners, and six percent ABV. It is organic, includes probiotics and Vitamin C, and is made with real fruit.

Whole Foods recommends the Blood Orange Mint and Acai Berry flavors. June Shine is currently featuring a limited edition fall flavor, Cran Apple Cinnamon.

You can find June Shine in the Hard Seltzer News guide of best brands for 2020.

Kombrewcha

Kombrewcha was founded “for those seeking balance in life.” It contains organic ingredients and 4.4 percent ABV. It comes in Berry Hibiscus, Blood Orange, Mango Pineapple, and the Whole Foods recommended Ginger Lemon.

You can find Kombrewecha in the Hard Seltzer News guide of best brands for 2020.

Jiant

Jiant bills itself as “hard kombucha with a soft touch.” It is brewed using green tea instead of the more traditional black tea. Containing 4.5 percent alcohol, Jiant comes in Elderflower & Jasmine, Ginger & Lemongrass, and Grapefruit & Hibiscus.

You can find Jiant in the Hard Seltzer News guide of best brands for 2020.

While 2021 is still a few months away, we’re still deep in the second surge of the COVID-19 pandemic so don’t expect this health and wellness trend to disappear anytime soon. People are drinking at home far more than they used to, and any excuse to add more probiotics and B vitamins to your diet is a good one.

Erin Grafton
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