Probiotic booze – a new range of alcoholic kombucha launches

A new range of alcoholic beverages that utilise probiotic-rich organic kombucha has been launched in the UK.

The new brand, Happy J’s, is available in two flavours inspired by cocktails: Mint & Lime to taste like a Mojito and Mango & Ginger to taste similar to a mango daiquiri.

Kombucha, a fermented tea consumed for thousands of years, has risen in global popularity due to being marketed as a source of probiotics and antioxidants.

The global market for Kombucha is reportedly anticipated to reach over US$10bn by 2027 and, at present, the drink is especially popular in North America in both its conventional and alcoholic varieties.

The launch of Happy J’s began after its founder Jake Filson took a trip to the US and developed a taste for Kombucha and an interest in bringing an alcoholic version to the UK.

Happy J’s is targeted also at the hard seltzer consumer who is increasingly interested in more health and calorie-conscious alcoholic beverages.

Filson said: “Two years ago I was on the corporate hamster wheel. I quit my job and went to see a mate in California, and was blown away by the functional drinks market out there. I tasted alcoholic ‘hard’ Kombucha, and I was amazed to discover it didn’t exist in the UK.”

He explained: “During lockdown, I started brewing my own Kombucha at home and experimenting with Kombucha cocktails. I saw hard seltzers picking up traction as a low sugar, low calorie alternative to sickly sweet cocktails in a can, and I thought I could provide the consumer with a similar alternative but by adding kombucha, I could offer something that was functional and more flavoursome.”

Both flavours of Happy J’s alcoholic kombucha are now available via its webshop.