Soft Drinks Recipe

Make simple syrup (if not using store-bought)

Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. (Makes about 1 cup.)

In a large pitcher, combine 1/2 cup cooled simple syrup, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice. Stir to combine.

Add 4 cups chilled carbonated water to the pitcher and gently stir once or twice to incorporate syrup and juices without flattening the bubbles.

Fill individual glasses with ice (about 1/2 cup ice per serving). Pour soft drink mixture over ice and serve immediately.

Mint-cucumber refresher

Bruise 6–8 mint leaves in the palm of your hand or lightly muddle in the pitcher; add 4 thin cucumber slices. Let sit 2–3 minutes to infuse, then add carbonated water and proceed. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a cucumber ribbon.

Berry soft drink

Stir 1/2 cup berry puree into the syrup + citrus mixture until evenly combined. Add carbonated water and gently stir. Taste and add up to 1 tablespoon extra simple syrup if needed. Garnish with whole berries.

Ginger or cola style

For ginger: stir 1 tablespoon ginger syrup into the citrus-syrup base before adding carbonation. For cola: stir 2 tablespoons cola syrup or concentrate into the base, then add carbonated water. Adjust to taste.

For citrus-forward variation: add 1/2 cup segmented orange or grapefruit to the pitcher and lightly muddle to release oils. Add carbonated water and serve with a citrus wheel.

Taste the finished soft drink and adjust sweetness or acidity: add up to 1 tablespoon more simple syrup to sweeten, or 1 teaspoon more lemon juice to brighten.

Ladle or pour into glasses over ice. Add chosen garnish (citrus wheel, mint sprig, cucumber ribbon or berries). Serve immediately so drinks stay fizzy.