Soft Drinks Recipe

Make Soft Drinks Recipe in just 35m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

Time35m

Serves4

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

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Ingredients

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1
Make simple syrup
Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature (about 20 minutes).
2
Prepare flavor base
If using fresh fruit purée: mash and strain fruit, or blend and strain to make 1/2 cup purée. If using concentrated syrup (store-bought), measure 1/2 cup. For citrus sodas, add 1/4 cup fresh lemon or lime juice. For herbal/spice notes: bruise 2 tablespoons mint leaves or simmer 2 tablespoons sliced ginger in the simple syrup for 5 minutes, then strain.
3
Combine syrup and flavor
In a bowl or jar, mix 1 cup cooled simple syrup with 1/2 cup fruit purée or syrup (or 1/2 cup combined syrup + citrus as desired). Taste and adjust: target a sweet-tart balance — about 2:1 carbonated water to combined syrup for a typical soda strength. Chill the combined syrup base if not using immediately.

4
Prepare glassware
Fill four serving glasses with ice (about 1 cup of ice per glass).
5
Build the soft drink
For each 12-ounce (about 1.5 cup) serving: add 3 tablespoons (approx. 45 ml) of the syrup base to the glass (this equals roughly a 1:5 ratio syrup to soda). Top with 1 1/4 cups (about 300 ml) chilled carbonated water. Stir gently once to combine without flattening the carbonation.
6
Adjust sweetness & flavor
Taste one serving and adjust: add up to 1 tablespoon more syrup for a sweeter soda, or 1/2 tablespoon fresh citrus juice for more brightness. If using bitters, add 1 drop per glass and stir gently.

7
Garnish
Garnish each glass with a citrus wheel and a mint sprig. For a stronger aromatic lift, slap the mint between your palms before placing it on the drink to release oils.
8
Serve
Serve immediately while cold and fizzy. Leftover syrup base can be refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 10 days; keep carbonated water separate and combine just before serving to preserve fizz.

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