Blood Orange Soda (Homemade Soda Tutorial)

Sometimes when I am walking through the soda section at a grocery store, I wish they sold really unique flavors like peach, pear, rhubarb, kiwi, blueberry, pomegranate, watermelon, apple, etc.. True, you can get these flavors at some specialty stores, but they aren’t your basic soda flavors.

Well, did you know that it is actually really easy to make your own homemade soda? Easy and fresh! This time around I made Blood Orange Soda, but I really thing fresh concord grape soda sounds amazing! Or you could mix and match! How about Strawberry Kiwi or Peach Pineapple.

 

You need two basic things for soda. 1) club soda 2) flavored simple syrup.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 1. C. freshly squeezed blood orange juice (4-6 oranges)
• 1 C. water
• 1 C. white sugar
• club soda
• 1 or 2 extra oranges for garnishing and adjusting flavor
• ice cubes

Directions

To Make the Syrup: Squeeze the oranges with a citrus juicer and press it through a thin metal strainer with the back of a silicone spatula to get rid of the pulp. I like to squeeze it right into a small pot. Add the water and sugar to the pot. Bring to a boil, stirring every once in a while with the spatula. Reduce the hat and simmer until the amount of liquid reduces by about half. Let cool.

Note: You can store extra syrup in the fridge in an air tight container or in a squeeze bottle to use again later.

Note the Second: You can use any kind of citrus in place of the blood oranges. If you use berries or some other kind of fruit, just throw them in pieces in the syrup and mash them down as the syrup cooks, then strain it at the end to get out any chunks or seeds. You can also make a syrup with equal parts water and sugar and add a flavor extract like root beer or coconut extract.

To Make the Soda: Pour the soda into individual glasses. Add about 4 TBSP. of syrup for per large glass and desired amount of ice. Stir and taste. Add more soda if it is too strong and more syrup if it is to weak. I also like to squeeze a little bit of a fresh blood orange over the top and add back a bit of the natural tart flavor. Place a slice of orange on the cup for garnish and to show off the beautiful color of a blood orange.

Note: If you are making a big pitcher, try 3 TBSP. of syrup for every 2 Cups. And then tweak it from there.

Idea from all over the internet and my own head.

Comment and let me know if you try any fun flavors of soda! And if you want to try it, PIN IT!

P.S. I have really abandoned my blog lately because I have been getting over a really bad case of mono and all I want to do is sleep. I was ready to post another post about a week ago and was interrupted by a couple day stay at the hospital. It was just a bad reaction to a medication, but didn’t end up being anything serious. I am back to just being tired now. I kind of missed the opportunity for Easter recipes, but I have loads of ideas for this summer. Just so you know, I had a reason for not posting for so long and that I am not giving up on this blog or my readers. I’ll be back full force soon! Thanks for being patient!