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Why do we know so much about the food we eat, but almost nothing about the alcohol we drink? That question was the inspiration behind JuneShine, a sustainably brewed, transparent, and wildly delicious hard kombucha. It was a shocking revelation. I had never thought about what was in the adult beverages I consume. Most alcohol products don’t even have an ingredient list printed on the packaging. I like to lead a fairly healthful lifestyle, but I also enjoy socializing and having fun on the weekends, and having an alcoholic beverage that supports my goals, or at the very least doesn’t hurt them, would be great!
So, how do they do that, you ask?
Well, actually, each JuneShine can is brewed with real, organic ingredients, including green tea, fruit juice, honey, spices, and their very own jun kombucha base (also called ‘SCOBY’). With no artificial colors, GMOs, pesticides, or processed corn or rice syrup, these alcoholic beverages are less toxic for not just your body but also the environment. The flavors are smooth, earning the brand the title “the champagne of kombuchas." Classier than White Claw and healthier than beer.
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Subscription Details
Subscription Box: JuneShine
Price: $2.75 per can or...
- 12pk – $33
- 24pk – $66
- 36pk – $99
ACTIVE DEAL: Limited Time Only! Get 20% off any order
CODE: MSA20
Delivery Options: Every week, every 2 weeks, every 4 weeks
JuneShine Hard Kombucha Review
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Let's talk kombucha! I was sent the sampler pack that consisted of four different six-packs of hard kombucha flavors: Midnight Painkiller, Blood Orange Mint, Hopical Citrus, and Honey Ginger Lemon. JuneShine has several other flavors currently available on their site, and they seem to keep things fresh, swapping out flavors and/or adding new flavors consistently, such as Grapefruit Paloma, Chili Mango (which sounds absolutely amazing), and Acai Berry.
The JuneShine subscription is available for the sampler pack that features four different flavors and 24 cans of hard kombucha. You can also subscribe to one single flavor in either a 12, 24, or 36-pack. The subscription is customizable, with delivery options for every week, every two weeks, or every four weeks.
I'm personally a huge fan of kombucha in general, but I hadn't heard of or ever tried a 'hard' (or alcoholic) kombucha. Growing up, my mom had a serious kombucha brewing system set up in our basement. So I had fresh, homemade kombucha most of my life, which definitely turned me into a bit of a kombucha elitist. For those who don't know, kombucha is a fermented, sweetened black or green tea made by pouring the tea in with a SCOBY ('symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast') in a glass container and fermenting it in a dark, temperature-controlled room for anywhere between six to ten days. The results are a healthful beverage, rich in beneficial probiotics and antioxidants that can help kill harmful bacteria and fight off disease. It also improves digestion, detoxifies, strengthens the immune system, and can help reduce blood pressure.
Now, I'm a bit of a lightweight, so I waited until the weekend to taste the flavors. So, without further ado, cheers to the freakin' weekend. Let's take a look at these hard kombucha flavors.
JuneShine Hard Kombucha Flavors
Midnight Painkiller
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Serving Size: 12 fl oz
Ingredients: Coconut, Pineapple, Orange, Nutmeg, Green Tea, Jun Kombucha
Nutrition: Calories 149, Sugars 3.8g, Carbs 6.8g
ALC/VOL: 6%
Storage: Keep Refrigerated
This was my favorite out of the four flavors included in this sampler pack. Each sip is a burst of fruity, tropical flavors in perfect balance with the subtle spice of warming nutmeg. The flavor is reminiscent of the classic painkiller tiki cocktail but with a slightly darker twist. I'm a huge pineapple fan, so I'm not surprised that I enjoyed this flavor so much. I can usually get onboard with anything pineapple-flavored. That being said, the sweet fruit flavor was very subtle and not overpowering; more heavy on the dry and light on the sweet balance. Don't forget to read the directions... I did, my first can around, and missed the instruction to flip the can to activate the charcoal. Having activated charcoal as an ingredient definitely set this drink apart for me. I've never had an alcoholic beverage featuring a health supplement. It's actually a very cool idea since activated charcoal is said to assist kidney function by filtering out toxins. It's like they preemptively planned to combat alcohol poisoning for that super-fun aunt that just has one too many at every single family gathering.
Blood Orange Mint
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Serving Size: 12 fl oz
Ingredients: Blood Orange, Mint, Green Tea, Jun Kombucha
Nutrition: Calories 145, Sugars 2.6g, Carbs 7.6g
ALC/VOL: 6%
Storage: Keep Refrigerated
The initial taste is a fresh, tangy orange with a burst of mint on the backend; a supremely refreshing combo. The flavor profile is light and crisp, but there is definitely a hint of sour. If you are a fan of sours, you will probably really enjoy this. For me, the mint was a bit much. In general, I'm not the biggest fan of the taste of mint, but I still found this very enjoyable and finished the entire can. Next time, I would love to mix with a squeeze of fresh orange juice. I think that would brighten up the flavor and balance out the mint taste for me.
Hopical Citrus
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Serving Size: 12 fl oz
Ingredients: Orange, Pineapple, Hops, Green Tea, Jun Kombucha
Nutrition: Calories 143, Sugars 3.4g, Carbs 7.2g
ALC/VOL: 6%
Storage: Keep Refrigerated
This was a very interesting flavor. Infused with hops, it had a bitterness that was balanced out by the sweet citrus combo of orange and pineapple. The slight bitterness of the hops in combination with the orange citrus flavor gave birth to a grapefruit-like taste, in my opinion. There was almost an even split between the dry-sweet balance. Unlike beer, this didn't sit heavy on my stomach or leave me with any headaches or bloating.
Honey Ginger Lemon
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Serving Size: 12 fl oz
Ingredients: Ginger, Lemon, Apple, White Grape, Honey, Green Tea, Sugar Cane, Jun Kombucha
Nutrition: Calories 142, Sugars 3g, Carbs 5.8g
ALC/VOL: 6%
Storage: Keep Refrigerated
This flavor combination reminded me the most of kombucha, and I love kombucha, so that was definitely a positive for me. The lemon, ginger, and honey combo was like sipping a healthful lemonade. I really enjoyed this flavor. Sweetened with honey and cane sugar brought a different kind of sweetness into the flavor profile. It almost reminded me of a hard cider with a more carbonated kick. It was a very natural, clean, and vivid flavor that was heavy on taste but not on sugar. In this particular instance, I think the dry-sweet balance skewed more sweet than dry.
What I Loved About the JuneShine Hard Kombucha
The whole idea of hard kombucha! I love the variety of flavors available and the refreshing, smooth taste of the jun kombucha. The light carbonation brings the buzz on fast and mellow. It's not heavy like wine or beer, and I didn't experience any headaches or bloating. The kombucha base and all-natural ingredients create an alcoholic beverage that contains probiotics, antioxidants, and vitamins, and is less toxic for the body and the environment. It's also gluten-free, which makes it perfect for me, as I struggle with an autoimmune disease that is aggravated when I ingest gluten. Another thing that really hooked me was the low sugar content. A lot of hard seltzers, ciders, and premixed alcoholic drinks have a ton of sugar or they taste like a sour La Croix.
Another plus for me is that each JuneShine hard kombucha clocks in at 6% ABV; a little higher than the average beer, which is usually at around 4.5% ABV, while the average wine is around 11% ABV. The JuneShine kombucha sits perfectly in the middle, making one can enough for an enjoyable buzz that isn't incapacitating.
Each serving is certified organic and made out of natural ingredients that are filled with probiotics, antioxidants, and vitamins. All the ingredients are clearly labeled and transparent.
I also love that the brand takes the initiative to reduce their carbon footprint and impact on the planet. They have a partnership with Climate Neutral to be 100% carbon neutral, which means the brand leaves no carbon footprint! JuneShine also donates 1% of all sales annually to 1% for the Planet, which is a collection of environmental nonprofits working together to fight climate change.
What I Didn't Love About the JuneShine Hard Kombucha
Well, the price point is a little steep, in my opinion. That said, it is also a more specialty product than your average case of White Claw or Mike's Hard, so I didn't really have too much of an issue with that. The one thing I found difficult was that because of the probiotics, antioxidants, and vitamins in the kombucha, the product must be kept refrigerated. When they arrived, I had to Tetris my way into fitting the 24-pack of cans into my fridge. To be honest, I think that was the only downside for me. I truly enjoyed experiencing this brand.
What I Wished JuneShine Had Done Differently
Even though the servings aren't particularly calorie-dense, I wish JuneShine had a 'lite' option available.
Who is JuneShine Hard Kombucha good for?
Anyone 21+ who enjoys dry wine, hard ciders, beer, or cocktails should definitely give this product a sip. If you love kombucha and also consume alcoholic beverages, this is definitely a product you're going to want to try, as well as anyone who enjoys refreshing social drinking but doesn't want to be weighed down with all the sugars, carbs, and calories of some of the usual go-tos.
Does JuneShine sell other products besides Hard Kombucha?
They have a variety of flavors, but as far as beverages go, they only sell hard kombucha. However, they have a merch shop that sells everything from tasting glasses, to playing cards, to hats, to hoodies, to sweatpants, to t-shirts, all featuring their logo.
Verdict
I thought these were absolutely wonderful! In fact, this is probably one of the best new products I've tried in a very long time. You know something is great when you try it and then just want to tell everybody you know about it. It's a more healthful approach to consuming alcoholic beverages. I don't know what I expected when I cracked open the first can, but I immediately loved how it was not too sweet and had a natural, fresh, vivid flavor that didn't leave me feeling carb-loaded or in the throes of a sugar rush. For me, JuneShine's hard kombucha was a guilt-free pleasure to drink. It will definitely be my new go-to for a healthier hangover-free happy hour. I have to say, hands down, my absolute favorite flavor was the Midnight Painkiller. I enjoyed the combination of fruitiness in contrast with the warming spice of nutmeg. It definitely stood out above other drinks that have the distinctive aftertaste of artificial flavors, colors, and chemical additives.
Have you tried JuneShine? What did you think?
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