Sprite Recipe

Make simple syrup with zest

Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Add the finely grated lemon and lime zests. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture is just below a simmer (about 4–6 minutes). Do not boil aggressively; you want to extract oils from the zest without cooking away fresh aromatics.

Infuse and cool

Remove the pan from heat and let the syrup steep with the zests for 10–15 minutes to extract flavor. After steeping, strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a heatproof container, pressing gently on the zests to release juices. Discard the solids.

Add fresh citrus and acid

Stir the fresh lemon juice (2 tbsp), fresh lime juice (2 tbsp), and 1 tsp citric acid into the warm (not hot) strained syrup. Add the optional 1/4 tsp neutral clear flavor enhancer if using (this is optional and very small — it helps approximate the commercial 'clear' flavor profile). Taste and adjust: if it seems too sweet, add up to 1/2 tsp more citric acid or 1–2 tsp extra lime/lemon juice.

Dilute and chill

If the syrup is very concentrated for your taste, stir in up to 1/2 cup cold water to bring the syrup toward drinkable mixing strength. Cover and refrigerate until fully chilled (at least 1 hour). The chilled syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Mix with carbonated water

For each serving (approximately 12–14 fl oz / about 1 1/2 cups), pour 1/4 cup (60 ml) of the chilled lemon-lime syrup into a tall glass. Add ice if desired. Slowly pour 1 cup (240 ml) chilled carbonated water into the glass over the back of a spoon or along the side to preserve bubbles. Gently stir once or twice to combine. Adjust syrup amount to taste: 3 tbsp for lighter flavor, up to 1/3 cup for stronger.

Garnish and serve

Garnish with a lemon or lime wheel on the rim or dropped into the glass. Serve immediately while sparkling. If making a larger pitcher, maintain a roughly 1:4 ratio of syrup to carbonated water (by volume), add the carbonated water just before serving, and stir gently.

Notes on carbonation

If you have a soda maker (CO2 dispenser), you can carbonate chilled water at home and use it in place of store-bought carbonated water. For maximum fizz, keep everything ice-cold and add carbonated water last. Do not attempt to carbonate the sugar syrup directly in a home carbonator.