Wild Tonic Jun Kombucha (“Wild Tonic” for short) is a naturally fermented tea made with organic honey and featuring other organic ingredients. Here’s our Wild Tonic review.
What Is Wild Tonic?
Wild Tonic comes in two general varieties. The first, which is similar to traditional kombucha but is fermented with honey instead of sugar, is available in 16-ounce bottles and comes in the following flavors:
- Blueberry Basil
- Tropical Turmeric
- Raspberry Goji Rose
- Rosemary Lemon
- Blackberry Mint
- Lavender Love
- Chai Pear
- Cilantro Ginger Lime
Wild Tonic also comes in an alcoholic version that is 5.6% alcohol by volume (ABV). These products come in 16-ounce, 32-ounce, and 64-ounce bottle varieties, and is also available in a 5-gallon Cornelius keg, and are available in Blueberry Basil and Tropical Turmeric flavors.
Wild Tonic Features
Wild Tonic is brewed similarly to traditional kombucha, which is usually a green tea beverage that has been fermented with sugar and other flavors to provide a unique-tasting, slightly carbonated and non-alcoholic beverage. However, Wild Tonic uses honey instead of sugar in the fermentation process, which changes the flavor profile considerably.
The Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY) used to ferment Wild Tonic is fundamentally different than the type of SCOBY colonies used in traditional kombucha brewing, and the end result is a smoother flavor. Making Jun kombucha with honey also supposedly provides many antioxidant, prebiotic, and probiotic effects to the beverage, and Wild Tonic bills their drinks as healthy alternatives to sodas and other sugary drinks thanks to its being lower in sugar, calories, carbohydrates, and caffeine.
Wild Tonic Creators
Wild Tonic is a product of Good Omen Bottling, established in 2015 and based in Cottonwood, Arizona. Founded by Holly Lyman, an artist who enjoyed working with an ancient painting medium created with beeswax called encaustic, the company was born after Lyman began experimenting and researching other uses for honey.
As it is dependent on the health of their beehives to create its products, Good Omen Bottling is dedicated to raising awareness of and promoting bee conservation efforts in its community. The company also supports organic farmers and partners with local beekeeping organizations who focus on bee conservation.
Wild Tonic Ingredients
Wild Tonic uses organic, sustainably sourced local honey for one of its main ingredients. The company combines this with several different exotic teas, all of which have also been organically and sustainably sourced. Flavorings come from fresh, hand-pressed certified organic fruits, organic herbs and spices, and organically-grown botanicals to enhance the flavor of each product.
Non-alcoholic Wild Tonic products are typically 35-40 calories per serving, have no fat or cholesterol, and only have around 6g of sugar per serving. The alcoholic versions of these beverages are virtually identical except for their 5.6% ABV.
One 16-ounce bottle typically contains 2 servings.
Purchasing Wild Tonic
Wild Tonic is available in stores, mostly on the West Coast and near the company’s home state of Arizona. As Good Omen Bottling doesn’t sell its product directly through its website, there aren’t any retail prices listed.
Additionally, since Wild Tonic is not available nationwide but is just limited to the western United States, we found it impossible to find a listing anywhere in order to price the product.
Wild Tonic Reviews
There’s been plenty of buzz about Wild Tonic, and many kombucha aficionados have commented positively on the pleasing flavors of jun kombucha that Good Omens has marketed so far.
Pros:
- Smooth Taste – Many kombucha beverages can be harsh or, to put it more diplomatically, an acquired taste. However, reviewers have reported that Wild Tonic tends to be much smoother and less abrasive than traditionally brewed kombucha drinks – a main result of using honey instead of sugar.
- Organic, Locally-Sourced Ingredients – Good Omen uses exclusively organic ingredients, from its honey to its herbs and spices and everything in between. Many of these ingredients are also locally-sourced, which is good for the environment.
- Socially Conscious Company – In addition to using locally-sourced organic ingredients, Good Omens has another positive impact on the environment through its focus on bee conservation. Honeybees are instrumental in pollinating many different kinds of trees, plants, and crops, and Good Omens supports overall bee populations.
- Available in Both Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic – Nearly all kombucha-style beverages are sold as non-alcoholic drinks, despite the fermentation process used to create them; the alcohol content is usually stripped away or filtered out. Wild Tonic, however, offers both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of its beverage.
Cons:
- Local Product – If you happen to live east of Arizona, the chances of you getting your hands on a bottle of Wild Tonic are slim to none. The product is distributed exclusively through local companies, depriving anyone east of the Mississippi – and then some – from the opportunity to try this beverage.
- Likely To Be Expensive – Because of all the organic ingredients, Wild Tonic is likely to be on the expensive side. How it compares to other kombucha beverages is unknown, however, considering that there’s no pricing information as a result of the brand being localized to the western US.
Wild Tonic Summary
By all indications, Wild Tonic seems to be an interesting, flavorful alternative for anyone who wants to enjoy kombucha but can’t bring themselves to enjoy the taste of a beverage that can sometimes be generously called “an acquired taste.”
With a wide variety of exotic flavors featuring organic, locally-sourced ingredients, Wild Tonic seems to be a great alternative to not just kombucha but other carbonated drinks like soda, thanks to its lowered sugar content. Not only that, but the fact that it’s available in alcoholic form means that it can be a great late-night party drink as well.
Unfortunately it’s only available in the western states, and there’s no indication right now that it will be made available back east any time soon. Still, if you’re lucky enough to be in a region that has access to Wild Tonic, give it a try – you might just like it.
