Soft Drinks Recipe
Make Soft Drinks Recipe in just 15m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Classic Cola
Ginger Ale (Minted)
Sparkling Citrus (Orange & Grapefruit)
Cola/Ginger/Sparkling -- Optional Add-ins (per glass)
Method
Classic Cola
- 1
Assemble cola
Place 1 cup of ice into a tall glass. Pour 1/2 cup cola syrup into the glass. Add 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice. Slowly pour 4 cups chilled carbonated water over the syrup and ice — pour gently down the side to preserve carbonation. Stir once gently with a long spoon to combine without flattening. Taste and adjust: add an extra tablespoon syrup if you like sweeter cola, or a splash more lime for brightness.
- 2
Garnish with a lime wheel on the rim and serve immediately chilled.
Ginger Ale (Minted)
- 3
Muddle mint and lemon
In a mixing glass or shaker, add 8 fresh mint leaves and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Gently muddle the mint 6–8 times — press to release oils but do not shred leaves.
- 4
Assemble ginger ale
Add 1/2 cup ginger syrup to the muddled mint and lemon. Fill a serving glass with 1 cup ice. Strain the mint-lemon-syrup mixture into the serving glass to avoid large mint fragments. Slowly add 4 cups chilled carbonated water, pouring down the side. Stir gently one time to combine.
- 5
Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lemon slice. Adjust sweetness by adding more ginger syrup or simple syrup if desired. Serve immediately.
Sparkling Citrus (Orange & Grapefruit)
- 6
Mix citrus base
In a pitcher, combine 3/4 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice, and 2 tablespoons simple syrup. Stir until syrup is fully incorporated.
- 7
Assemble sparkling citrus
Fill a glass with 1 cup ice. Pour the citrus base into the glass, then slowly top with 4 cups chilled carbonated water, pouring gently to keep bubbles. Stir once gently to blend.
- 8
Garnish with an orange twist or wheel. Taste and adjust sweetness with more simple syrup or add a splash of grapefruit for extra tartness. Serve immediately.
Optional Add-ins & Serving Notes
- 9
For complexity, add 1–2 dashes (about 2 tsp) of bitters to any glass and stir gently. Drop in a maraschino cherry or extra citrus wedge for presentation. These soft drinks are best served immediately while carbonated.
- 10
Scale proportions for single glasses or pitchers: the ingredient quantities above are per 1 large pitcher (about 4 servings). If making single servings, divide quantities by 4 (e.g., 1 cup carbonated water, 2 tbs cola syrup, etc.).
