Homemade Orange Soda

Ingredients

• 4 Oranges (Zested and juiced)
• 0.5 cup Sugar (Adjust to taste)
• 0.5 cup Water
• 32 oz Sparkling water (Chilled; can use club soda or seltzer)
• Ice (For serving)

Steps

1. 1

   Zest two of the oranges, being careful to avoid the bitter white pith. Juice all four oranges to yield approximately 1 to 1.5 cups of fresh juice.

2. 2

   In a small saucepan, combine the orange zest, sugar, and water.

3. 3

   Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved to create an orange-infused simple syrup.

4. 4

   Remove the syrup from the heat and stir in the fresh orange juice.

5. 5

   Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a jar or pitcher to remove the zest and any pulp.

6. 6

   Allow the orange syrup base to cool completely in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

7. 7

   To serve, fill glasses with ice. Fill each glass about one-third of the way with the chilled orange syrup base.

8. 8

   Top with chilled sparkling water and stir gently to combine.

Notes

For a more intense orange flavor, you can let the zest steep in the syrup for longer before straining. Store the orange syrup base in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Nutrition per serving

• drink
• beverage
• orange
• soda
• fruit-based
• refreshing
• summer
• homemade