Soft Drinks Recipe

Chill beverages

Ensure all bottled and canned beverages (cola, diet cola, lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, orange soda, tonic water, sparkling and still water) are refrigerated at least 2 hours before service or stored in a cooler with ice until ready to serve.

Prepare ice and garnishes

Fill an ice bucket or cooler with cubed ice. Place lemon and lime wedges in a small bowl; keep mint sprigs refrigerated until service. Keep a separate container of extra ice for cup assembly.

Assemble cups for self-serve or server-poured

For self-serve station: arrange chilled bottles/cans in an accessible cooler or on ice. Place empty cups, straws, napkins, lemon/lime wedges, and mint nearby. For server service: fill each 12–16 oz cup about 2/3 full with ice (approximately 1 to 1.5 cups of ice per cup).

Pouring guidance

When pouring carbonated soft drinks, tilt the cup at a 45° angle and pour slowly to reduce excessive foaming. For a standard 12–16 oz cup: 6–10 oz of beverage over ice yields a good balance. Adjust pour volume depending on ice and guest preference.

Garnish and finish

Offer optional garnishes: place 1 lemon or lime wedge on the rim or drop into the cup, and add a mint sprig on top if desired. Insert a straw and serve immediately.

Refill & storage

Keep unopened bottles/cans chilled in the cooler. Replace ice as needed. Do not leave opened bottled sodas in direct sunlight or warm environments for extended periods; discard any opened beverage that has been left out more than 4–6 hours.

Set up the service area with cups stacked or fanned for easy access, straws in a holder, napkins nearby, and the ice bucket placed centrally. Ensure the cooler or ice bucket is replenished during service so guests can refill their beverages.