Make Your Own Soda Pop

by AMANDA on APRIL 24, 2013

We all know water is the healthiest beverage, but sometimes it’s nice to change things up a bit. Most people reach for soda to break the monotony, despite it being chemical-laden, habit-forming, and made primarily from high fructose corn syrup. It’s time to go homemade! Soda’s sweet and fizzy appeal may be hard to replicate, but this homemade cola syrup comes pretty close. Pepsi wishes it tasted this good!

Homemade cola syrup has a delightfully complex flavor with the perfect combination of sweet, spicy, floral and tart. Stirred into a tall glass of seltzer and ice, it feels like a gourmet treat. Add a lemon wedge for a special twist and invite your friends over after you tell them you can make your own soda pop!

Homemade Soda Pop
Makes about 3 cups of syrup

• Grated zest of 3 large lemons
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3 sections of a star anise pod, crushed
• 1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
• 4 teaspoons minced ginger
• 1 vanilla bean, split
• 1/4 teaspoon citric acid
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons (packed) brown sugar

Combine all ingredients except the sugars in a large saucepan. Add 2 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 20 minutes.

Remove from heat and strain out the solids using a double layer of cheese cloth or a coffee filter. Rinse out the saucepan and discard the solids. Return the liquid to the pan and set over low heat.

Add the sugars to the saucepan with the liquid and stir until completely dissolved.

Remove from heat and let the syrup cool, then transfer to your desired containers and keep refrigerated.

To make soda:
Combine 1 tablespoon syrup with 1 cup of seltzer or club soda. Serve over ice.

Have you ever tried to make your own soda pop?