Soda Recipe

Combine and heat

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water. Place over medium heat and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture just comes to a gentle simmer (do not boil vigorously). This should take about 3–5 minutes.

Cool and flavor

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature (about 15 minutes). Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and, if using, 1 teaspoon toasted orange zest. Transfer the syrup to a clean container and refrigerate until cold if making ahead.

Fill two glasses with 1 cup crushed ice each (or use ice as desired).

To each glass, add 1/4 cup of the cooled vanilla simple syrup (this yields a moderately sweet soda; adjust 2–6 tablespoons per glass to taste).

Divide the fresh lemon juice (2 tablespoons) and lime juice (1 tablespoon) evenly between the two glasses (about 1 tablespoon lemon + 1/2 tablespoon lime per glass). Stir briefly to combine syrup and citrus with the ice.

Slowly top each glass with 1.5 cups carbonated water, pouring down the side of the glass to preserve bubbles and avoid foam. Stir gently once with a bar spoon to integrate flavors without knocking out carbonation.

Add 3 fresh mint leaves to each glass and lightly clap them between your palms before dropping in to release aroma. Garnish each glass with a citrus slice and a sprig of mint. Serve immediately.

To make a flavored soda (strawberry, ginger, etc.), replace up to 1/4 cup of the simple syrup with a fruit or ginger syrup and adjust citrus to taste. For a less sweet soda, use 2 tablespoons simple syrup per glass. For a stronger vanilla note, increase vanilla extract to 1 1/2 teaspoons in the syrup.

If you prefer to avoid making syrup, dissolve sugar directly by stirring 2–3 tablespoons of granulated sugar into each glass with the citrus before adding carbonated water, though this may leave undissolved grains unless stirred thoroughly.