Fountain Drink Recipe

Make simple syrup

Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar fully dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature (about 15–20 minutes).

Once cooled, transfer the syrup to a clean container. This yields the sweet base that will mix evenly with carbonated water.

Prepare citrus and herbs

While the syrup cools, juice the lemons and limes (and orange, if using). Measure 1/2 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, and 1/4 cup orange juice. Lightly muddle the mint leaves in a bowl or jigger with the back of a spoon to release aromatics (do not over-muddle or they will become bitter).

Combine flavor components

In a pitcher, combine 1/2 cup cooled simple syrup with the measured citrus juices. Add the 2 tsp flavored extract or cordial and the muddled mint leaves. Stir gently to combine. Taste and adjust: for a brighter drink add more lemon (up to 1 tablespoon), for sweeter add up to 2 tablespoons of syrup, for more herbaceousness add a few extra mint leaves.

Assemble fountain drink (per serving)

Fill a tall glass with 1/2 cup (about 4–5 oz) ice. Pour 1/4 cup (2 oz) of the citrus-syrup-flavor mix into the glass. Top with 1 1/2 cups (12 oz) very cold club soda, pouring gently to preserve carbonation. Stir once briefly to integrate.

Garnish and serve

Garnish with a lemon or lime wheel and a mint sprig. Serve immediately with a straw. For batch service (makes about 6 servings), combine the citrus-syrup-flavor mix in a pitcher and add 6 cups chilled club soda right before service; gently stir and pour over ice into glasses.

Notes: If you prefer a sweeter or more soda-like fountain drink, increase syrup to 3/4 cup in the batch mix. For a non-citrus flavored fountain drink, replace citrus juices and extract with 3/4 cup of a fruit syrup (e.g., cola, root beer, or flavored soda syrup) and follow the same dilution with soda water.