Sprite Recipe

Name: Newick's Lobster Houses Sprite Recipe
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cups granulated sugar; 1 cups water (for simple syrup); 1 tbs fresh lemon zest; 1 tbs fresh lime zest; 2 tbs fresh lemon juice; 2 tbs fresh lime juice; 1 tsp neutral citrus oil or lemon-lime extract (optional, concentrated); 4 cups chilled sparkling water (cold, highly carbonated); 2 cups ice cubes; 4 pieces lemon or lime wheels (for garnish); 1 tsp citric acid (for higher tartness); 0 to taste approved sugar substitute (to taste) — if making diet version

Inspired by Newick's Lobster House

Time40m

Serves4

Make Sprite Recipe in just 40m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Syrup Base

1 cups granulated sugar

1 cups water (for simple syrup)

Citrus & Flavoring

1 tbs fresh lemon zest

1 tbs fresh lime zest

2 tbs fresh lemon juice

2 tbs Fresh lime juice

1 tsp neutral citrus oil or lemon-lime extract (optional, concentrated)

Carbonation & Serving

4 cups chilled sparkling water (cold, highly carbonated)

2 cups ice cubes

4 pieces lemon or lime wheels (for garnish)

Optional Adjustments

1 tsp citric acid (for higher tartness)

0 to taste approved sugar substitute (to taste) — if making diet version

Method

Syrup Base

Make simple syrup

Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring frequently, until sugar is fully dissolved and mixture is clear (do not boil vigorously). Once dissolved, reduce heat and simmer gently for 2 minutes to slightly thicken. Remove from heat.

Cool the syrup for 10–15 minutes at room temperature so it won't damage delicate citrus oils when combined.

Citrus & Flavoring

Infuse citrus oils and juices

While the syrup is warm (not hot), add 1 tablespoon lemon zest and 1 tablespoon lime zest to the syrup. Stir and let steep for 10 minutes to extract essential oils. After steeping, strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a bowl to remove zest solids, pressing to extract liquid. Discard solids.

Stir in 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice into the strained syrup. If using, add 1 teaspoon neutral citrus oil or lemon-lime extract for a brighter, more soda-like top note. Taste the syrup: if you want more tartness, dissolve up to 1 teaspoon citric acid into the syrup (optional).

Allow the finished syrup to cool completely in the refrigerator (about 20–30 minutes) so it is chilled before mixing with sparkling water. Chilled syrup helps preserve carbonation.

Carbonation & Serving

Assemble the Sprite-style soda

Fill four serving glasses with ice (about 1/2 cup ice per glass). For each 8-ounce (1 cup) serving, add 2 tablespoons (approx. 30 ml) of the chilled lemon-lime syrup into each glass. Pour 1 cup (8 fl oz / 240 ml) chilled sparkling water over the syrup slowly to retain fizz. Stir gently once to combine.

Garnish each glass with a lemon or lime wheel. Serve immediately while sparkling.

Optional Adjustments

Diet version: replace the sugar syrup with an equivalent-strength solution using an approved liquid sweetener (follow manufacturer guidance for sweetness equivalence). If using a sugar substitute powder, dissolve it in the warm water used above, then proceed with zest infusion and juices.

Make a larger batch: this recipe yields about 4 cups finished soda (4 servings). Store any leftover syrup in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. When using leftover syrup, always chill it before mixing with sparkling water.