Equinox Ginger Kombucha

ABV: 0.5% or less
Calories per bottle: 33 (13 per 100ml)

This is a guest review by Alcohol Change UK’s Office Manager, Jenni Bradshaw.

I’ve been a fan of kombucha for a while now. Never to the point of growing my own in a mason jar in the kitchen using a SCOBY but long enough to have tried a few of the different brands about.

I found Equinox Organic Kombucha at my local Co-op and have bought it almost every lunchtime since. Equinox have a great backstory, from discovering kombucha while travelling around India and setting up a mini brewery in their kitchen, to the award-winning brand they are today. They say they’re dedicated to “brewing the best organic artisan kombucha you’ve ever tasted.” Given the number of times they have won a Great Taste award, I think they’re achieving that mission quite well.

There are several different flavours on offer, including “original”, but I usually opt for the ginger as it is one of my favourite spices. They blend the Chun Mee Green Tea with other natural flavours during the fermentation process, where the sugars and tea are said to break down and be converted into amino acids, vitamins and beneficial bacteria. The drinks must remain refrigerated to prevent them fermenting further and spoiling the flavour.

Served ice cold, it is tingly on the tongue, refreshing and has just the right balance of the typical kombucha flavour and heat of the ginger. The drinks are carbonated so have a slight fizz to them too. On the nose, it delivers the typical spice you get from fresh cut ginger. Equinox suggest adding a slice of lime and say that it goes well with Asian food. Given that they are 100% organic, vegan and gluten free, and that kombucha is said to contain a wealth of health benefits, it always feels like a great choice for a meal accompaniment or on its own.