Fanta Recipe

Make simple orange syrup

In a small saucepan combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water. Warm over medium heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture just begins to simmer (do not boil vigorously).

Add 1 tablespoon orange zest to the syrup and continue to simmer gently for 2 minutes to extract oils. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 10 minutes.

Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl to remove zest. Return the strained syrup to the saucepan or leave in the bowl to cool slightly.

Stir in 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, 1 teaspoon citric acid, 1 teaspoon orange extract, and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice into the warm syrup until fully combined. Taste and adjust: add up to 1/4 teaspoon more citric acid for brighter tartness or 1/2 teaspoon more orange extract for stronger orange flavor.

Cool the finished syrup to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator until thoroughly cold (about 30–45 minutes). You can store unused syrup in a sealed container for up to 1 week.

Fill a large pitcher or individual glasses with ice (approximately 1 cup ice per 2 servings). For a fizzy soda-style ratio, use 1 part chilled syrup to 4 parts cold carbonated water. For this recipe: measure 1 cup chilled syrup and 4 cups cold carbonated water to make ~4 servings.

Slowly pour 4 cups cold carbonated water over the syrup (or vice versa — syrup into water — to reduce foaming). Stir gently once to combine. Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness by adding small amounts of syrup or lemon/citric acid.

Pour the Fanta-style orange soda into serving glasses over ice. Garnish each glass with an orange slice and a mint sprig if desired.

Serve immediately while carbonated and cold. If storing in a sealed bottle, keep refrigerated and consume within 24–48 hours for best fizz.