If you haven’t tried it yet, buy a bottle and see if you like its bright not-too-sweetness. If the answer is yes, you may soon find yourself spending more than you’d like on fancy bottles of “booch.” When that happens, take the next step and brew your own. It’s easier than you think.

Start with the basics until you get the hang of it. We’ll show you how to put your own spin on it later.

Note: Pregnant or nursing mothers and people with compromised immune systems may want to check with their doctors before drinking live cultures.

See Cook’s Note on learning more about the art of fermenting tea.