Sodas / Ice Tea Recipe

Prepare simple syrup (if not pre-made)

Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring until sugar dissolves. Bring to a gentle simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate if not using immediately.

In a pitcher, add fruit puree or cordial (1/2 cup), 1 cup simple syrup, 1/2 cup lemon juice and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Stir to combine.

Lightly muddle 8–10 mint leaves in the bottom of a wooden spoon or cocktail muddler to release oils (do not shred). Add muddled mint to the pitcher and stir.

Fill four serving glasses with ice cubes (about 1 cup each). If you prefer crushed ice, add crushed ice to two glasses and cubes to the others.

Pour the fruit-lemon syrup mixture evenly across the glasses (about 1/2 cup per glass). Top each glass with 1.5 cups chilled carbonated water; pour slowly to preserve fizz. Stir gently once to combine.

Garnish each glass with a mint sprig and a slice of the fruit used (if applicable). Serve immediately.

Boil 4 cups water. Remove from heat, add 4 black tea bags, and steep 4–5 minutes depending on desired strength (5 minutes for stronger).

Remove tea bags (press gently against the side with a spoon to extract). Allow tea to cool 10 minutes, then transfer to a pitcher and add 2 cups cold water to bring temperature down.

Add 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/2 cup simple syrup to the cooled tea. Stir well and taste; adjust sweetness or lemon to your preference.

Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or serve immediately over ice if you’re short on time).

Fill four glasses with ice. Pour the iced tea-lemonade mixture evenly (about 1 cup tea + 1/2 cup lemonade per glass depending on glass size). Garnish each with a lemon slice and mint sprig if desired. Serve cold.

Make ginger syrup: combine 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons grated ginger and 1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a low simmer and cook gently for 5 minutes to infuse. Remove from heat and let steep 10 minutes more for stronger flavor. Strain out solids through a fine mesh and cool to room temperature.

In a tall pitcher, combine the cooled ginger syrup (about 3/4 cup yield), 1/4 cup fresh lime juice and 3 cups chilled carbonated water. Stir gently to combine.

Fill four glasses with ice. Pour ginger-lime soda evenly into glasses. Add lime wheels as garnish and additional grated ginger (very small pinch) if you want more bite. Serve immediately.