Description
Learn how to make elegant and delicious zero-alcohol fermented sodas.
Made with simple ingredients and lightly naturally carbonated, these sodas deliver uplifting, sophisticated taste alongside vitamins and prebiotic benefits for gut health.
We’ll share our recipes, show you how to make flavour variations and walk you through the making process. At the end of our day you’ll have a secondary fermentation to take away, plus a jar of starter to keep your sodas thriving. You’ll leave with recipes, techniques, and the confidence to continue your botanical drinks journey at home.
Perfect for foodies, home fermenters, and anyone seeking a sophisticated, alcohol-free alternative.
All materials and samples are provided.
About our day
- Begin with a walk through the garden to forage seasonal herbs and aromatics, identifying and selecting for flavour and aroma.
- Choose your flavour elements—combine herbs, spices, fruit, and hydrosol to design a soda recipe.
- Introduce the helpers—meet the starter culture, learn about its role and how it contributes to both flavour and fizz.
- Making and caring for your starter—how to build and feed a small batch to activate the culture, routine feeding, temperature and hygiene tips, and troubleshooting common issues.
- Assemble the first-stage ferment—how to combine all the elements, adjust sweetness and acidity, and transfer to primary fermenters.
- Strain and bottle for secondary fermentation—how to clarify, add priming if needed, and bottle safely to develop natural carbonation.
- Taste and evaluate— we sample some finished sodas, assess balance, aroma, mouthfeel, and note adjustments for future batches.
- End the day with a cocktail—mix your ferments into non‑alcoholic or low‑ABV cocktails, with garnish suggestions and serving ideas.
Getting here: Ferries depart from downtown Auckland, and take approximately 45 minutes. If you are not staying on the island, we recommend an 8am ferry to arrive in plenty of time. You can easily bus to the venue—public buses depart from the ferry terminal at Matiatia. All three buses (50A, 50B and 502) will get you here—just ask your friendly driver which stop to get off at to get you to Moa Ave.
Lunch: The Lab is an easy 10 minute walk from the shops and cafés of Oneroa Village.
Can’t make your booking? Get in touch and we can help you out. You can view our cancellation policy here.
