Is kombucha alcoholic? What the label tells you

It is one of the questions we get asked most. Kombucha is fermented, fermentation makes alcohol, so is kombucha alcoholic? The honest answer depends on the bottle, and the label is where to look.

Why does kombucha contain any alcohol at all?

Kombucha is made by fermenting sweetened tea with a culture of bacteria and yeast. During fermentation the yeast turns some of the sugar into alcohol, and the bacteria then turn much of that into acids. That is what gives kombucha its tang. A small trace of alcohol can remain.

What do the alcohol labelling terms mean?

In England, government guidance sets out when drinks sold as alcohol alternatives can use certain terms. It is voluntary, but trading standards officers refer to it, so most brands follow it:

• Alcohol-free: for a drink that has had its alcohol removed, no more than 0.05% ABV (alcohol by volume)
• De-alcoholised: for a drink that has had its alcohol removed, no more than 0.5% ABV
• Low alcohol: no more than 1.2% ABV, with the maximum strength shown on the label

The government has been reviewing whether "alcohol-free" should move to 0.5%, so it is worth checking the current guidance. Separately, drinks at or below 0.5% ABV are not classed as alcoholic drinks in the UK. The two lines are different, and they are easy to mix up.

What about hard kombucha?

Hard kombucha is a different product. It is fermented further, or has alcohol added, to make a drink at beer or cider strength, and it is sold and labelled as an alcoholic drink. It is not what you find on the soft drinks shelf.

How do I check a bottle?

Read the label. The law requires any drink above 1.2% ABV to show its strength. Below that, there is no rule that requires a number unless the brand uses a term such as "low alcohol", in which case the strength should be shown. So a kombucha under 1.2% may or may not print an ABV, even if it is above 0.5%. If you avoid alcohol completely, for any reason, do not guess: check the pack, and ask the brand directly. Most small makers are happy to answer.

Does raw kombucha change the answer?

Raw or pasteurised does not decide the alcohol level. What matters is how the drink was made and how it has been handled, which is why the maker is the right person to ask about a specific bottle. If you want to understand the difference between raw and pasteurised, we explain it in the difference between raw and pasteurised kombucha.

Where to go next

If you are cutting back on alcohol, our guide to non-alcoholic drinks covers what is worth drinking instead. You can also browse the kombucha range.