I honestly can’t remember where I got this drink. It might have been Asda but who knows. All that matters is that it’s hot and I want something cool and refreshing. Hip Pop Ginger & Yuzu Kombucha, you’re up.
In this kombucha review, I’ll take you through what the beverage tastes like, the best way to serve it, and what’s inside the can. You can also find links to buy it on Amazon UK, but you’ll probably get a better price if you can find it at your local supermarket.
Hip Pop Ginger & Yuzu Kombucha at a Glance
Izzy’s Rating
- Ingredients: Tea (kombucha), live cultures, sugar and fruit juices
- Flavour: Tangy and acidic in a very natural way with citrus fruit notes
This is a seriously good kombucha. It has a vinegary tang but it feels natural – like the sharp acidity you get from juicing a lemon. The yuzu and ginger are a wonderful combination and the tingly sensation just tops it off. Superb.
Full Review – Ginger Yuzu Live Culture Kombucha
- Type: Canned, ready to drink
- Ingredients: Water, cane sugar, green tea, black tea, kombucha culture, ginger juice, yuzu juice, lemon juice, living cultures (Bacillus coagulans)
- Flavour Notes: Acidic citrus fruit, ginger, yuzu, natural fruit sweetness
- Aroma: Tangy citrus, lemon, yuzu, grapefruit
- Where to Buy: Amazon UK or select UK supermarkets
Opening the can and pouring out the kombucha, I’m amazed at the aroma. It’s tangy citrus with notes of lemon, yuzu and grapefruit. It also has a moderate “vinegar” tang but it’s in no way overpowering. The scent is actually quite similar to freshly made lemonade. Very refreshing.
The warm tropical yellow colour is pleasing too.
As for the flavour. Oh. My. God. It’s perfect. There’s strong acidity, but it’s not like some kombuchas that make it feel like you’re drinking balsamic salad dressing. Instead, it’s refreshing and citrusy with a little warmth from the ginger. It’s not sweet, but at the same time, there’s 0 bitterness present.
Hip Pop kombucha is lightly sparkling, so it’s not fizzing on the roof of your mouth but adds a tingly feel that just makes it all the more hydrating and refreshing.
This is the best kombucha I’ve ever had on a hot day. Not too sweet, not too sticky, not too acidic. High marks indeed.
The Best Way to Drink Kombucha
Kombucha, especially the sparkling kind, is best served at fridge temperature. At room temperature it will taste sweeter, but that’s not really the purpose of kombucha. Tangy and refreshing is the name of the game here.
You can also pour it over ice, but you’ll just be diluting the flavour. Better to chill the can in the fridge and crack it open.
Unlike tea made with teabags (hot or cold), kombucha shouldn’t need any extras. No milk or sugar needed.
About the Hip Pop Kombucha Brand
Hip Pop is a new brand to me. I stumbled upon a 4-pack of their Ginger & Yuzu kombucha at a supermarket and couldn’t resist taking it home with me.
Not only was the brand founded in the UK, they actually brew and package the kombucha in Manchester in-house (though obviously, they don’t grow the ingredients in the UK).
Here’s what I think they are doing right:
- No flavourings, colourings or sweeteners in this drink… at all. Not even the natural stuff.
- Live cultures to make genuine kombucha (some brands like Lipton use extracts and powders!).
- Cool packaging design and brand vibes.
- Made in the UK.
And here’s what I’m a little unhappy about:
- “Made with loose leaf tea” proudly displayed on the packaging, as if other brands buy teabags and use those to make kombucha. Seems very strange to me. Using loose leaf tea will be the more economical way to do it, and likely an industry standard. Correct me if I’m wrong in the comments!
- Use of AI to write marketing materials.
That last point is pure speculation, but as someone who works in the trade (I’m a marketing copywriter when I’m not blogging here) I know what AI sounds like and both their website and social media accounts are full of red flags.
But that’s really just nit-picking. The fact that this brand can masterfully blend ingredients to not even need flavouring to get the desired taste means I have a HUGE deal of respect for them. And if they want to hire me to write their marketing materials, all the better.
Summary
Hip Pop gets my seal of approval and I cannot wait to try their other flavours. You can find their Ginger & Yuzu flavour kombucha in supermarkets or buy it online. Amazon is the usual go-to but the price isn’t great (at the time of writing). Use the button below to check if the price has changed or pop out to the supermarket to see if it’s available near you.
Tea Recommendation
Hip Pop is a new brand so if you’re struggling to find them in the UK, let me recommend a more available option for hot summer days. Remedy Peach Kombucha is a staple of the supermarket meal deal and one of my favourite go-tos. Read the full review only at Immortal Wordsmith.
