A’ Siciliana Recipe

Prepare citrus juice

If making Blood Orange: roll 1 blood orange on the counter to loosen juices, cut and juice until you have 1 oz of fresh juice. If making Limonata: do the same with a lemon and measure 3/4 oz of juice. Strain the juice through a fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds and pulp for a clear soda.

Make or measure simple syrup

If you don't have ready simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water (for example 1/4 cup sugar + 1/4 cup water), heat gently until sugar dissolves, cool. Measure 1 tablespoon of the cooled syrup for one 11 oz can serving.

Assemble the can-served soda

Chill an 11 oz can (or the serving glass) ahead. In a chilled mixing glass or directly into the 11 oz can (if opening), add the measured citrus juice (1 oz blood orange or 3/4 oz lemon) and 1 tablespoon simple syrup. If you prefer a brighter aromatic note, add a strip of zest (blood orange or lemon) and gently express it over the mixture by pinching to release oils, then drop it in.

Add sparkling water

Slowly pour 11 oz of cold carbonated sparkling water into the can or glass over the juice-and-syrup mixture to preserve fizz. Stir gently with a long bar spoon 1–2 times to integrate—avoid vigorous stirring to keep carbonation.

If serving in the can: slide a thin blood orange or lemon wheel onto the rim or float it on top. If serving in a glass over ice: fill glass with 1 cup ice, pour the assembled soda over the ice, float the citrus wheel, and discard the zest strip if used.

Taste and adjust: if the soda needs more sweetness, add up to 1/2 tablespoon more simple syrup and stir gently. If it needs more brightness, add an additional 1/4 oz citrus juice.

Serve immediately while cold and fizzy. Estimated single-serving yield is one 11 oz can soda.