September's Water Kefir | Kult Drinks

An ancient traditional drink that uses the power of bioscience with the art of fermentation to bring you something incredibly sophisticated while doing your body good too!

You might have heard the word fermented being thrown about more in the past few years and maybe you even know a thing or two about kefir specifically..

We speak with the Kult team to tell us about about both and what we have in front of us today.

Q: Welcome for the first ever time to a JOMO monthly discovery box! Can we start with an introduction to KULT?

Hi! We’re KULT — a Brussels-based brand on a mission to bring the ancient magic of fermentation into today’s world, in a way that’s exciting, refreshing, and good for you. We make water kefir using living cultures, brewed in small batches using organic ingredients. Think of it as a very refreshing, sophisticated lemonade - with an extra layer of complexity and fizz.

Q: What was your inspiration behind KULT? Why Water Kefir?

KULT was born in a tiny London kitchen. I (Mathilde, the founder) was 22 and obsessed with fermentation — fascinated by how bacteria and yeast could transform something simple into something powerful. Water kefir felt like a hidden gem: probiotic, low in sugar, naturally fizzy, and incredibly versatile. I couldn’t believe it wasn’t more popular. So I started brewing, sharing with friends… and things grew from there.

Q: Can you talk to us about what fermented drinks actually are and why they are becoming so popular?

Fermented drinks are made through a natural process where microorganisms (like bacteria and yeast) transform sugars into acids, gases, or alcohol. In our case, water kefir cultures turn cane sugar into organic acids and bubbles — leaving behind living probiotics and a refreshing tang.

People love them because they support gut health, feel lighter and more "alive" than soda, and they fit perfectly with today’s shift towards mindful, functional drinking.

Q: Although they are now being consumed more in the UK, they have been consumed for centuries in other countries. Are there health benefits associated with them and what are they?

Yes! Cultures around the world have brewed fermented drinks for generations — from kvass in Eastern Europe to tepache in Mexico. Water kefir is particularly interesting because it’s vegan, dairy-free, and naturally rich in probiotics (if unpasteurised) and organic acids. Its potential benefits include better digestion and a healthier gut microbiome.

Q: Kefir. More specifically water kefir. Can you tell us what that is and what we can expect from today’s drink? 

For those that haven’t tried water kefir before can you touch on the taste profile. Water kefir is a sparkling fermented drink made by feeding specific cultures — called kefir grains — with water, sugar and lemons. The result is a naturally fizzy drink with a slightly tart and layered profile. Today’s flavour, Passionfruit & Hops, balances tropical fruitiness with subtle floral and bitter notes from the hops. Think soda-meets-IPA — but without the heaps of sugar!

Q: What is your favourite way and setting to enjoy the Passionfruit & Hops?

It’s our ultimate summer refresher. We love sipping it chilled, straight from the can or poured into a wine glass, sitting on a terrace. It’s also our go-to for sober parties — it feels festive and complex enough to enjoy slowly.

Q: Have you created a cocktail using the Passionfruit & Hops? What is your favourite one?

Definitely! One of our favourites is the “Passion Sour”. Here’s how you can make it at home.

Ingredients

• 150ml of KULT Passion & Hops
• 30ml of Everleaf Mountain or Tarquin’s
• Juice from one lemon
• A dash of sugar syrup, honey or maple syrup
• 1 egg white, aguafaba or Fancy Foamer
• Ice
• Half a passion fruit - scoop out the pulp

Method

• Add the ice, the spirit, lemon juice, sugar syrup, passion fruit pulp and egg white to a shaker and shake for 20 seconds until the mixture becomes frothy.
• Serve in a nice glass and top up with the KULT Passion & Hops.

It’s fruity, fizzy, and sophisticated — and looks beautiful in the glass.

Q: Your whole range is super low in sugar, naturally. How does this work compared to let’s say a ‘diet’ version of a big branded soda?

Great question! With KULT, the sugar is naturally fermented — meaning the live cultures eat most of the sugar during the process.

So there’s no need for artificial sweeteners or additives. We don’t aim to mimic sweetness — instead, we create drinks that are full of flavour thanks to the fresh juices that we use to create flavour and complexity, without the sugar crash.

Q: Since your launch, have you found a shift in consumer behaviours? In what way?

 Absolutely. People are moving away from sugary sodas and “fake healthy” drinks. They want products that support their health without compromising on taste or experience. We’ve seen a growing demand for fermented, functional, and natural drinks — especially from people looking to cut alcohol or reduce sugar. There’s also a clear appetite for discovering new, small-batch brands with real stories.

Q: You have just announced a very exciting UK listing. Can you tell us all about it so our members can go and stock up on the full range after trying Kult this month?

We’re thrilled to now be stocked at Wholefoods and Planet Organic across the UK! These are two retailers we deeply respect for their commitment to quality and health-conscious products. You’ll find several of our flavours on their shelves — so after your first sip of Passionfruit & Hops, you know exactly where to go for more.

Want to try our whole range?

Find us at Wholefoods, Planet Organic, and on our website www.kultkefir.com.

You can use the code JOMO10 for 10% off your first online order — valid through October 2025!