Southwestern bubbles

by Lexi Marshall

New Mexico’s kombucha culture

NEW MEXICO’S KOMBUCHA SCENE is as distinctive as its red chile and turquoise skies. From Albuquerque’s urban breweries to Santa Fe’s artisanal taprooms, local producers are crafting gut-healthy elixirs infused with the unique flavors of the Southwest. These fermented tea beverages, rich in probiotics and bursting with regional ingredients like prickly pear and wild-harvested herbs, represent more than just a health trend—they’re a testament to New Mexico’s commitment to sustainable, locally-sourced nutrition.

For many New Mexico kombucha makers, the path to business began with personal health challenges. Julie Morrell, co-founder and head brewer of Urbanmama505 Kombucha, started her journey 15 years ago when she began using kombucha to boost her immune system and address various health issues. What started as a personal remedy quickly became a community resource when friends began offering to pay for her homemade brews.

“It is such a bottle of gold,” Morrell says. Her kombucha is crafted with premium alkalized water, creating what she describes as a cleaner, smoother product that draws more flavor from the tea while leaving trace amounts of sugar and caffeine. The health benefits extend beyond gut health, with clients reporting reduced bloating, kidney cleansing benefits and an overall sense of vitality.

Similarly, Kara Deyhle, owner of New Mexico Ferments, discovered kombucha’s healing properties in 2016 while dealing with health issues. The fermented beverages and vegetables provided significant relief, leading her to dive deep into the world of fermentation. Between jobs and living with her parents, Deyhle consumed information about kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi and other fermented foods, eventually studying brewing technology at CNM’s Brewing and Beverage Management Program to understand how to scale production.

Southwestern Flavors on Tap
New Mexico’s kombucha makers distinguish themselves through unique regional ingredients and artisanal production methods. New Mexico Ferments creates a green tea-based kombucha with lower sugar content than many commercial brands, incorporating sustainably sourced herbs and fruits with inherent health benefits. Their wildly popular prickly pear flavor showcases the desert landscape in liquid form, sourced from a supplier who sustainably wildcrafts nopal cactus pads and fruits into an incredible blend.

Urbanmama505’s standout offering is its Black Guatemalan flavor, a collaboration with Slow Burn Coffee that incorporates just “a whisper” of cold brew. This smooth, easy-drinking kombucha works perfectly as a mixer and embodies Morrell’s philosophy of creating healthy alternatives to alcohol. She’s currently developing two new brews to celebrate the centennial of U.S. Route 66, adding another layer of regional significance to her offerings.

Tasting Room Experiences
New Mexico Ferments operates a tasting room at its production facility in Albuquerque; open by appointment during the week and for drop-ins on Thursday and Friday afternoons, visitors can taste all flavors and purchase refills, kegs or cans. The company has grown impressively over nine years, now distributing to more than 100 resellers across New Mexico, including all Albertsons and Market Street stores in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos.

Urbanmama505 Kombucha is available at its kombuchery and elixir bar in Albuquerque and on tap at several locations including La Montanita Co-op, the Andaluz Hilton Curio Collection, Sister (the bar) and Rio Bravo Brewery, as well as at Bedrock Kitchen. Morrell emphasizes delivery service, encouraging customers to keep a jug in the fridge for daily consumption.

Stargazer Kombucha is another well-known brewer in New Mexico, celebrated for its pure, small-batch kombucha made with wild and single-origin ingredients. One of its most distinctive offerings is the Cota blend, brewed with wildcrafted Navajo tea—a traditional, caffeine-free herb used for generations to ease anxiety, calm the stomach and reduce fever. The result is a sweet, golden kombucha with earthy notes of pine, cucumber and rosewater. To experience it on tap, head to Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery’s Agua Fria Street location in Santa Fe, where kombucha flavors are rotated weekly. In addition to Tumbleroot, you can find Stargazer at several locations across Santa Fe and Albuquerque, including Meow Wolf’s Float Café & Bar, Cafecito, Violet Crown Cinema and Remix Audio Bar in Santa Fe; and Remedy Coffee, Michael Thomas Coffee, Campo at Los Poblanos and Lost Cultures Tea Bar in Albuquerque.