General News
The Science of Cocktails: Kombucha-rita
- May 16, 2022
The Science of Cocktails: Kombucha-rita
Kombucha and fresh lime combine to make a delicious cocktail that is fizzy, tart and a tad sweet; read on to find out the health benefits of these two amazing ingredients.
Made with a key ingredient nicknamed the “elixir of immortality,” this refreshing and effervescent cocktail could not be easier to make and includes ingredients that add an extra element of health. The combination of kombucha and limes gives this bubbly cocktail essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and billions of live probiotic bacteria.
The “elixir of immortality,” in this case, is kombucha, a probiotic drink made from the bacterial fermentation of tea. Typically, kombucha is made using black tea (sometimes green or oolong) and sugar. Tea naturally produces polyphenols, antioxidants that can decrease inflammation, the root cause of many diseases and other conditions. Fermenting tea for kombucha increases the number of antioxidants present.
The bacterial fermentation process to make kombucha also produces organic acids, which help transport the antioxidants throughout the body and have been shown to fight against bacterial growth and promote detoxification by helping the liver remove undesired compounds.
Kombucha supplies Vitamin B, essential minerals and probiotic bacteria to the body. These bacteria can help with digestion by keeping your gut microbiome healthy. However, some people should avoid drinking the live bacteria in kombucha: pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, individuals with liver or kidney disease and HIV or impaired immune systems. For others, kombucha is a wonderfully refreshing beverage; to learn more about the health, wellness and safety aspects of kombucha mentioned earlier and more, check out this overview.
The next star ingredient of this cocktail is the humble lime. Limes have many vitamins and minerals and just one fruit has roughly a third of the daily recommended Vitamin C intake. This vitamin is boosts immune health and helps the body absorb iron, protects against infection and speeds up the body’s healing process. Limes and other citrus fruits aid digestion and help keep your blood glucose level stable, which help to lower the risk of developing type two diabetes and help in its management. And, like kombucha, limes are a source of antioxidants that can help to reduce inflammation. The citric acid found in citrus fruits has also been found to prevent kidney stones since the acid in your urine makes it challenging to form stones.
Kombucha-rita
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- 2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp agave syrup
- 4 oz ginger kombucha (or flavor of your choice)
- Salt for rim
Directions
- Put salt on a small plate or saucer. Wet the rims of the glasses with lime juice or water and dip in the salt.
- Combine the tequila, lime juice and agave into a shaker with ice. Shake until the exterior frosts.
- Pour in the kombucha and stir well.
- Strain into the glasses over ice or without ice, depending on preference. Garnish with lime slices, if desired.
ENJOY!
