Using this DIY soda syrup recipe, and flavoring ideas, to create your own homemade soda is simple and fun. Yes, homemade soda can be healthy!
I’m not a big soda drinker, but when it’s hot in the summer, soda is so refreshing! Something about the bubbles. Today’s sodas are loaded with high fructose corn syrup, additives, and preservatives. By making your own syrup, you can avoid all the gunk. Here are a few recipes that are so easy to make.
Homemade Soda Syrup Sweetener
I prefer to use real sugar. There are vegan sugars available if that is your choice, or you can make these from alternative sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit. If you choose an alternative sweetener, remember that they are often sweeter than sugar. You’ll need to do some adjusting to find the level of sweetness that you like. I would start with 1/4 of what the recipe calls for in sugar and build from there. You can always add more, but when it’s already in the syrup, you can’t take it out.
Syrup Addition Ideas
There is literally no end to what you can make as far as syrups. I’ll list a few of my favorites below, but use your imagination to come up with more. I’ll even include an iced tea syrup! Just be sure that your fruits and vegetables are clean and at the peak of freshness with no bruises or bad spots.
Basic Homemade Soda Syrup Recipe
The basic soda syrup recipe is simple. Water and sugar and a pinch of salt.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Begin making your homemade soda by combining the sugar and water and bringing it to a boil, making a simple syrup.
- Add a pinch of salt. This helps with electrolytes, especially in the hot summer sun.
- Once your simple syrup is done, add the fruit or veggie additions. Chop into small pieces or puree. Herbs should be roughly chopped as well, or at least bruise the leaves to release the flavor.
- Simmer everything together for about 20 minutes. Cool a bit, then strain.
- Keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days (if it lasts that long!).
Soda Syrup Flavor Ideas
These are a few of my favorite homemade soda mixtures. You can add more for a more concentrated syrup.
Grapefruit Mint
Add half a cup of grapefruit sections with a few Tablespoons of fresh mint.
Blueberry Basil
Mash half a cup of blueberries with a few Tablespoons of basil leaves.
Pineapple Cilantro
Inspired by a candle, this makes a great soda. Cube half a cup of pineapple to a teaspoon of cilantro leaves.
Peach Basil
Just like the blueberry above, but use a cup of chopped peaches for this homemade soda flavor.
Strawberry Rose
Like the syrup you can find at your local coffee shop, this syrup has a cup of chopped strawberries paired with a cup of rose petals. Different roses have different flavors, so experiment with this one!
Coconut Lime
This homemade soda flavor is a bit different. Substitute coconut water for the regular water and add half a cup of lime sections.
Tea Syrup
Boil 12 bags of tea with your water to make a very strong tea. Then add the sugar and proceed as you normally would. Add lemon if you like.
Holy Basil Lemon Balm
Make a strong tea as above. I like the simple, clean flavor of this homemade soda flavor.
Blackberry Lime
Mash a cup of blackberries and add a Tablespoon of lime zest.
Beet Basil
Chop a cup of fresh beets and a Tablespoon of fresh basil.
These are just a few of the combinations that I like. Feel free to add whatever you like.
Building Your Homemade Soda
Now that your syrup is done, you can start making your soda. This can vary too, with the lightness or boldness that you desire.
- 1/2 cup fruit syrup
- ice to the top
- cover with carbonated water
- stir
That’s it! This homemade soda syrup recipe makes DIY soda simple and even and healthy!
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Sharon says
Sorry to be ‘that person’, but the ingredient quantities must be mistyped. The base recipe would only make half a cup of syrup, which it then says should be used per glass, which I’m sure must be an error.
Debra Maslowski says
Hi Sharon, that is correct. The recipe is for half a cup (approximately) which you then use for a glass of soda. You can make more for a pitcher or to keep on hand or use less syrup per glass. Hope this helps!
Debra Maslowski says
Hi Terry, actually, your question came at a good time. I just ordered kola nuts from Amazon to try to make my own cola syrup. They are readily available and not very expensive. I’ll post what happens when I get them in! Thanks!
Debra Maslowski says
Hi L. Watts, the amount of syrup given is correct. This is for a 12 ounce glass. I’m assuming most people aren’t going to use a tiny juice glass or a huge glass, but then again, you never know. And you can adjust it to taste. I don’t like my soda too sweet, so I use more like 1/3 cup to a 12 ounce glass. Kids tend to like it sweeter, so you could use more. Hope this helps!
L. Watts says
Thank you for the clarification. It just seemed like a lot of sugar, but then regular soda has a lot of sugar. I am like you, I like a less sweet soda.
Debra Maslowski says
Hi Carl, It would take forever (literally!) to list all of my soap recipes. But if you look back in the archives, you’ll see that there are many recipes for everything from cleaning soap to shampoo soap. Hope this helps!
Carl says
Can you give the full recipes with measurements! Also not for just your facial soap! I want you to also give recipes for the Castile soap recipe . Also the other multi ingredient things to add to your recipes
! !!!!!! My soap is way better than normal clothing soaps! I was my hair with apple vinegar soap! It stops the stuff off my hair !
Normally a person make the ingredients sticks them in the fridge until ready to
L. Watts says
Please, could you clarify the amount of syrup to be used? A full half cup of syrup for one drink? Example of syrup per cup of soda water? Thank you.
Terry says
I love these ideas, thank you!
I’m still searching for a coke syrup recipe, if you’ve any ideas.