Soft Drinks Recipe

Make a simple syrup

In a small saucepan combine 120 g granulated sugar and 120 ml water. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture is clear. Do not boil aggressively; once dissolved remove from heat.

Add flavor & acid

Stir in 30 ml fresh citrus juice and 5 ml flavor extract (vanilla, cola concentrate or chosen fruit extract) into the warm syrup. If using citric acid, dissolve 1 tsp into the syrup now. Taste and adjust — more citrus for tartness, more extract for stronger flavor. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, then chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.

Assemble the soda

Fill a pitcher or large bottle with 1 liter chilled carbonated water. Add the chilled syrup to the carbonated water slowly — start with half the syrup (about 120 ml) and gently stir to combine. Taste and add more syrup in small increments until you achieve the desired sweetness and flavor intensity (typical total syrup used will be 100–180 ml depending on preference). Avoid vigorous stirring to preserve carbonation.

Serve

Fill serving glasses with ice (about 1 cup per 2 glasses). Pour the finished soft drink over the ice. Garnish each glass with a lemon wheel, mint sprig or a slice of fresh fruit as desired. Serve immediately.

Storage

Store any leftover syrup in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If you've pre-mixed syrup with carbonation in a sealed bottle, keep it chilled and consume within 24–48 hours for best fizz.

Infuse herbs/peel into the syrup: While heating the sugar and water, add 6 mint leaves (lightly bruised) or a strip of citrus peel to the saucepan. Let them steep in the warm syrup for 10–15 minutes off the heat to extract aroma. Remove leaves/peel before chilling the syrup. If using honey/agave, stir it into the warm syrup after removing from heat so it blends evenly.

For a lighter herbal note, muddle a few leaves gently in the bottom of each serving glass before adding ice and soda instead of infusing the whole syrup.