10 Best Probiotic Drinks 2022 | UK Nutritionist Reviewed

Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients to lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through better nutrition. She specialises in helping busy parents improve their diets without overwhelming them with information, and get them back on track so that the whole family can benefit.

For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:

1. Biotiful Dairy - Organic Kefir Baked Milk for £2.60
2. Equinox - Pink Grapefruit & Guava Kombucha for £1.80
3. Biomel - Dark Choc Coconut Shot for £1.20
4. The Collective - Mango Kefir for £2.25
5. The Gutsy Captain - Kombucha MixBox for £22.99

For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of probiotic drinks available and understand how our ranking was determined.

This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.

1. Choose Kefir for a Probiotic Yoghurt Drink, or Kombucha for Lower Calories and Sugar
2.  Look for Beneficial Strains of Bacteria Like Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium
3. Check the Ingredients to Ensure It Fits Your Dietary Requirements

Probiotics appear naturally in fermented dairy products such as yoghurt or kefir, which is why these are such common options in terms of probiotic drinks. Yoghurt drinks are made by using bacteria to ferment cow's milk into a more viscous consistency. They're usually thinner than the kind of yoghurt that you eat with a spoon, so they're easy to sip on.

Kefir is made in a similar way by mixing milk with kefir grains and allowing it to ferment. Rather than just using bacteria, kefir uses both bacteria and yeast, resulting in a drink that’s much thinner than yoghurt and that has a tart, sour taste. Traditionally, kefir is made using cow, goat, or sheep’s milk, but it can also be made using plant-based alternatives or even water.

What people tend to enjoy the most about dairy-based drinks is their tangy tartness. If you don’t like the way plain yoghurt tastes though, there are plenty of drinks with sweeter flavours nowadays. 

If you’re lactose intolerant, vegan, or you just don’t like dairy, you might want to consider a water-based drink instead. These are usually easier to drink, as well as being lower in calories and sugar if these are important considerations for you. 

Kombucha would be the obvious choice if you wish to avoid dairy. This fizzy, fermented tea drink has gained popularity in the past couple of years due to its health benefits, in addition to its delicious and refreshing taste. A great alternative to regular fizzy drinks, it's not too sweet and has a slightly sour kick.

Switchel is a similar-tasting drink that's usually made with a combination of water, vinegar and ginger, instead of fermented tea. The addition of fermented vinegar is actually what makes this drink full of healthy probiotics. Although it may sound like the start of a savoury recipe, it actually makes a surprisingly tasty beverage!

The most common type of friendly bacteria around is lactobacillus acidophilus. This bacteria lives in your intestines and helps produce lactic acid by breaking down the lactose in your body. It’s the active ingredient found in fermented drinks such as kombucha and if you’re buying a probiotic drink, chances are it’ll contain this type of bacteria.

Another type of friendly bacteria found in probiotic drinks is bifidobacterium, which lives in your intestines and stomach. Not only does it assist you with digesting dietary fibre, but it helps to prevent infections by staving off harmful bacteria. This kind of bacteria is typically found in dairy products such as kefir and yoghurt, as well as miso paste.

Of course, there are many other types of healthy bacteria that can be found in probiotic drinks. While they all essentially do the same thing, it’s still best to check the ingredients before you buy to make sure your drink will provide your body with lots of gut-friendly goodness!

If you’re vegetarian, you don’t have to worry about your options as all probiotic drinks are naturally meat-free. Those who are vegan or lactose intolerant, however, will need to tread carefully in order to avoid drinks made with cow's milk. Luckily, as we mentioned earlier, there are many dairy-free alternatives out there such as water and tea-based drinks.

It should also be noted that due to the brewing process of kombucha, there may be trace amounts of alcohol present. As it's usually is less than 0.05%, it won't always be mentioned on a product's label. If you're underage or trying to avoid all alcohol, be sure to take this into consideration!

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

Probiotic drinks are generally safe to consume during pregnancy and have been said to even contribute to supporting the immune system in a small way. However, probiotic drinks do not carry the same levels of bacteria as supplements so won’t have as great an effect. Always consult your doctor if you’re unsure.

Probiotic drinks are great immune system boosters, but as with most things, moderation is key. Up to two drinks a day for an adult and one a day for a child should suffice in improving gut health. You should also not expect to see changes right away, so give them time to work their magic.

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Written and researched by Dodo Wang