Fountain Soda & Iced Tea Recipe

Prepare glass

Select a tall glass (about 12–16 oz). Fill the glass with 1 cup of fresh ice, leaving room at the top for carbonation and a small head of foam.

Dispense syrup

If using a commercial fountain system, choose the desired flavor and dispense approximately 2 oz of syrup into the glass. If using bottled syrup, measure 2 oz and pour into the glass.

Add carbonated water

Slowly pour or dispense 10 oz of cold carbonated water (soda water) into the glass over the back of a spoon or down the side to limit foam. Aim for a roughly 5:1 ratio of carbonated water to syrup (adjust to taste).

Stir gently

Using a long spoon or straw, stir gently 3–4 times to combine syrup and carbonated water without flattening the carbonation.

Garnish and serve

Add a lemon or lime wedge on the rim if desired and serve immediately with a straw.

Brew tea (quick method)

Bring 12 oz (about 1 1/2 cups) of water to a near boil (just off boil). Pour over 1 black tea bag (or 1 tsp loose-leaf in an infuser) in a heatproof container and steep for 3–5 minutes depending on desired strength (3 minutes for lighter, 5 for stronger).

Cool and sweeten (hot brew)

Remove the tea bag or infuser. If you want sweetened iced tea, stir in 1 tablespoon of simple syrup (or sweeten to taste) while the tea is still warm so it dissolves evenly. Add 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice if desired.

Chill quickly (single serving)

Let the brewed tea sit for 2–3 minutes to drop temperature slightly, then pour over a glass filled with 1 cup of ice. This rapidly cools the tea without overly diluting it. If using a larger batch, cool completely in the refrigerator before serving.

Finish and garnish

Stir briefly to mix. Garnish with a lemon slice or a sprig of mint if desired and serve immediately with a straw.

Alternative cold-brew method

For smoother iced tea, combine 1 tea bag (or 1 tsp loose-leaf) with 12 oz cold water in a covered container and steep in the refrigerator for 6–12 hours. Remove the bag/infuser, optionally sweeten with simple syrup, pour over ice and serve.