As someone who has sampled my fair share of fermented tea drinks, friends often ask me: "What‘s the best kombucha brand out there?" My answer? Look no further than Remedy Drinks. I‘ve tested over a dozen of their flavorful kombuchas firsthand and wanted to share an inside look in this candid review.
A Crash Course on Kombucha
Before diving into my thoughts on Remedy, let‘s cover the kombucha basics. Kombucha is a fizzy, tangy tea beverage loaded with gut-healthy probiotics. It begins by fermenting tea and sugar with a blobby culture of bacteria and yeast called a SCOBY. As the SCOBY breaks down the sugar, beneficial acids, enzymes, and vitamins are produced.
The end product tastes something like sparkling apple cider crossed with tangy fruit juice. Most kombuchas offer a tiny trace of alcohol from fermentation, so they make exceptional zero-proof cocktail mixers!
Why I Started Drinking ‘Buch
As someone striving to cut back on alcohol and refined sugar, I began swapping kombucha in place of beer, wine and soda. The flood of vitamins, enzymes and healthy bacteria make ‘booch way better for my body. Plus, I have yet to find a brand that replicates the complex sweet-tart taste and bubbly effervescence like kombucha.
The problem? Lots of mass market varieties load up their brews with juice concentrates packing a heavy sugar impact. Others pasteurize their drinks, eliminating those precious live probiotic cultures that make kombucha so special.
I wanted to find an authentic kombucha made with real fruit, premium teas, and absolutely zero funny business when it comes to added sugars or synthetic flavors. Enter Remedy Drinks…
Discovering Remedy Kombucha
Founded by Emmet and Sarah Condon, Remedy Drinks is a Canadian brand crafting small-batch kombuchas, ginger beers, and apple cider vinegar drinks called switchel. Their offerings are certified organic from farm to bottle using premium ingredients like pressed fruit juices, fragrant botanicals, spices, and high-quality teas.
As a health-focused company, Remedy skips added sugars, artificial anything and heat pasteurization, which can degrade nutrients. Their team incorporates research on superfoods and adaptogens to make functional flavors focused on taste and whole body wellness.
Between their commitment to quality and drool-worthy flavors, I knew I had to get my hands on some Remedy brews!
Testing 10+ Remedy Kombucha Flavors
Thanks to Remedy‘s partnership with Amazon, I ordered a mixed 12-pack for $39.99 USD with free Prime Shipping. Flavors like Blood Orange Switchel, Mango Passion Kombucha and Pomegranate Acai ‘Buch sounded too tempting to pass up!
The case arrived well-packed with gel ice packs in just two days. Each slim 12 oz bottle features charming custom labels with ingredients, sourcing details and recycling instructions clearly printed.
Over the past few weeks, my husband and I have tasted our way through the entire shipment. Here are some quick takes on our favorites:
Blood Orange Switchel: This apple cider vinegar and ginger tonic offered perfect balance between bright citrus and spicy ginger. The minimal sugar content prevents that syrupy ACV taste. We loved mixing it with seltzer!
Mango Passion Kombucha: Quite possibly the fruitiest ‘booch I‘ve ever sipped! Sweet mango and tropical passionfruit intermix beautifully. Hints of lemongrass and green tea give it complexity through the finish.
Pomegranate Acai: A crimson jewel of a drink! Sweet-tart pomegranate mingles with earthy acai for intense antioxidant power. This one reminds me of bubbly cranberry juice.
Raspberry Lime: My personal favorite, Raspberry Lime ‘booch tastes like a fizzy raspberry mojito. Those sweet berries pair sublimely with zesty lime and mint accents.
Overall, we found every Remedy Kombucha flavor funky, fizzy and brimming with fruit flavor free from any artificial tastes. These drinks satisfy my soda and wine cravings without excess sugar or alcohol.
Next, let‘s see how Remedy compares head-to-head against other buzzy kombucha brands on the US market…
Kombucha Brand Comparison
To judge how Remedy sizes up against competitors, I analyzed ingredients, nutrition, sugar content, taste and sourcing practices for 5 category leaders:
- Remedy Drinks
- Health Ade
- GT‘s Living Foods
- Kevita
- Brew Dr. Kombucha
Here‘s how Remedy won me over against others in my fridge:
Ingredient Quality
Remedy, Health Ade and Brew Dr. stood out for their meticulous sourcing and organic ingredients. Remedy uses the highest percentage of organic materials in their brewing.
Sugar Content
With no added sweeteners and National Sanitation Foundation verification on converted sugar counts, Remedy has the lowest sugar impact by far.
Flavor Range
Remedy and Health Ade offer the widest variety of tempting flavors using botanical ingredients. Products never taste overly sweet or perfume-y.
Transparency
Remedy openly lists every single ingredient and source supplier on their labels and site. Health Ade and GT‘s also share great specifics.
Price Per Ounce
Coming from small-batch Canadian craft brewers, Remedy costs a bit more than giants like GT‘s or Kevita. But frequent promotions help balance the price point.
Additional Health Benefits
Beyond tangy flavor, Remedy Brews deliver additional nutrition and health perks:
- Live Cultures: Billions of probiotic bacteria promote healthy digestion, immunity and nutrient absorption
- Detox Support: Glucuronic acid and antioxidants from fermentation assist gentle cleansing
- Hydration: Electrolytes and minerals from teas, fruits and veggies rehydrate better than water
- Adaptogens: Some flavors feature medicinal mushrooms and herbs to counter stress
- Anti-Inflammatory: Ginger, berries and turmeric supply studied anti-inflammatory compounds
- Bone Health: Calcium, magnesium and vitamin K content benefits skeletal strength
With so much extra nutrition and health promotion built right in, kombucha offers functionality beyond just refreshment. It‘s a bonafide superdrink!
Placing My Order on Amazon
As an Amazon Prime member, I simply searched "Remedy Kombucha" and added a 12-pack to my cart along with my weekly groceries. The case arrived in two days chilled to perfection.
Next time, I may consider subscribing through Remedy Direct. This saves 10% per shipment automatically. The only bummer is that Remedy‘s subscription service doesn‘t extend to US fans currently. My Canadian pals praise the convenience!
Either way, I love that Remedy ships with recyclable cardboard and gel packs instead of environment-harming foam coolers. Their sustainability commitment shows through.
Returns, Damages & Delivery Issues
Thankfully my order arrived intact without incident. However, Remedy does not accept returns or exchanges given the raw, perishable nature of their small-batch kombuchas.
If you ever run into damaged goods or delivery snafus, you can reach out to Remedy‘s exceptional customer service squad at [email protected].
I‘ve heard great things about their team‘s prompt resolution for unhappy customers. This brings me peace of mind before buying again. Plus, Amazon‘s A-to-Z guarantee protects online shoppers as well.
Common Kombucha Questions Answered
If this is your first foray into the wonderful world of home-brewed booch, you likely have some queries. Let me cover the basics to set your mind at ease:
Is kombucha safe? When made under sanitary conditions using quality ingredients, kombucha offers exceptional nutrition and health benefits with low risk. Some sensitive groups like pregnant women or immunocompromised individuals should exercise caution or avoid it.
Is kombucha fizzy? The fermentation process generates effervescence and carbonation, giving most kombuchas a bubbly texture ranging from delicate tingle to a robust fizz akin to soda.
Does kombucha have caffeine? Since kombucha starts by steeping tea, all varieties contain at least trace caffeine. Caffeine levels vary based on the type and quantity of base teas used. Some ‘booch brands produce caffeine-free options using rooibos or other herbs instead.
Can kids drink kombucha? Health organizations recommend avoiding kombucha for children under age 4. Once kids reach ages 4-13, cautious consumption seems reasonable, but experts suggest limiting quantity and avoiding highly acidic flavors.
The Verdict: Should You Buy Remedy?
If it wasn‘t obvious yet, Remedy Kombucha has my highest praise. After sampling 10+ flavors, I was thrilled by the balanced flavor profiles, crisp effervescence and incredibly clean ingredient labels.
For consumers avoiding excess sugar or seeking functional drinks offering live cultures, antioxidants and more, Remedy is a phenomenal choice. They constantly innovate delicious new varieties guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest palates.
So next time you need an afternoon refreshment minus the alcohol or sweetness overload, I couldn‘t recommend whipping up a batch of Remedy more! This beloved brand has completely converted me into a lifelong kombucha fan.
Have additional questions before you take the plunge into home-brew booch? Ask away in the comments below! I‘m always happy to chat fermented tea.
Cheers to healthy hydration!
