Name: Caracas Bistros Frescolita Recipe
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cups granulated sugar; 1 cups water; 2 tbs light brown sugar; 1 tbs fresh lime zest; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp caramel color (liquid or 1–2 tsp caramelized sugar); 1 cups guava nectar or guava juice (preferably concentrated); 1 cups red grape juice (not from concentrate); 2 tbs maraschino cherry syrup (from jar); 0.5 tsp cream soda extract or a few drops of bubblegum flavor (optional); 4 cups cold club soda or chilled carbonated water; 2 cups ice (for serving); 4 each lime wedges (garnish); 4 each maraschino cherries (garnish, optional)

Method

Make the Syrup Base

Combine sugars and water

In a small saucepan combine 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons light brown sugar. Stir to combine over medium heat.

Dissolve and simmer

Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring until sugars fully dissolve. Allow to simmer for 3–4 minutes to slightly thicken — do not boil vigorously.

Add flavorings

Remove from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lime zest, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon caramel color (or 1–2 teaspoons prepared caramelized sugar) until combined. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.

Build the Fruity Base

Combine juices and syrups

In a pitcher or bowl, combine 1 cup guava nectar, 1 cup red grape juice and 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry syrup. Whisk until uniform.

Incorporate cooled syrup

Once the sugar syrup has cooled, pour it into the juice mixture and whisk thoroughly. Taste and, if you want a sweeter, more bubblegum/cream-soda leaning flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon cream soda extract or a few drops of bubblegum flavor and mix.

Chill the base

Place the combined base in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps preserve carbonation when combining later.

Assemble Frescolita (Carbonate and Serve)

Prepare glasses

Fill four tall glasses with about 1/2 cup ice each (total ~2 cups ice). Add a lime wedge to each glass if desired.

Measure base per serving

Remove the chilled fruity-syrup base. For each 8–ounce serving, measure 1/2 cup of the base into a glass (this recipe yields roughly 4 servings).

Top with chilled club soda

Gently top each glass with 1 cup of very cold club soda (pour slowly over the back of a spoon or down the side of the glass to preserve fizz). Stir once gently to combine — do not over-stir.

Garnish and finish

Add a maraschino cherry and an additional lime wedge to each glass, if using. Taste and adjust: if you prefer sweeter, add a teaspoon of the reserved syrup to the glass; for more tang, squeeze a little lime juice.