Celestial Seasonings Kombucha Energy: Citrus

Of the three flavors of Celestial Kombucha Energy Shot that we sampled, we found this one to be the most drinkable. Unfortunately, “drinkable” is really more about being able to tolerate it more than enjoy it. The aroma of the drink is very similar to a lemon flavored iced tea, but with a slight note of kombucha funk to it. In terms of taste, the product drinks like a tea based energy shot, with no signs of the raw kombucha (aside from stuff floating in the liquid). Compared with other tea flavored energy shots, this product definitely needs some work. Our bet is that those consumers who try this looking for kombucha will be let down by the product’s almost medicinal flavor. Functionally, the product has 100mg of caffeine (from guarana), B vitamins, ginseng, and kombucha. The packaging, which is a fairly standard looking 2 ounce shot, is probably the best part of the product, with a clean and easy to read design that makes good use of the Celestial Seasonings brand. However, the product requires refrigeration, which might make things difficult at the retail level (as will the $3.49 price tag). Overall, we appreciate their attempt to create something new for the kombucha category, but the execution feels at odds with what a kombucha drinker is likely to consume.