Summertime seems like it is the mother of all seasons for eating. Maybe I notice it more because the kids are home. But I can see a huge difference in my monthly bill. As a way to lighten up my kids diets I decided to make my own flavored syrups for the kids to add to their sodas. A year ago we were given a SodaStream. I was very very skeptical. Seemed like a big gimmick. But it was I wrong! It is super! We use it all of the time. I use it primarily for the fizzy water I drink constantly. Instead of paying 3 dollars a bottle it is just tap water with fiz. I add in fresh fruit juices and even a touch of the syrup. The kids never know the difference! Now don’t feel like you have to run out and but one. You can still just use store bought soda water and get the same effects.
Homemade Ginger Ale
One large fresh ginger root, sliced thin
1 cup agave nectar
1 cup water
1 tbsp lime juice
sparkling water
In a medium sized sauce pan combine the agave nectar, water, and sliced ginger root. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. Pour liquid through strainer into a mason jar.
To make ginger ale: Simply add 1 teaspoon lime juice to a cup along with 4 tablespoons of syrup. Pour in the sparkling water and stir!
Vanilla Cream Soda Syrup + Floats
1-1/2 vanilla beans
1 cup water
1-1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla paste
Braum’s vanilla ice cream
Sparkling water
Carefully slice the vanilla beans in half lengthwise, from tip to tip, and scrape the tiny seeds into a small saucepan, adding the halved vanilla beans as well. Add the water and sugar.
Bring to a simmer until all of the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat add vanilla paste and allow to cool. Store in a clean mason jar in the refrigerator until ready to use. To make a cream soda, add 1-1/2 tablespoons vanilla bean syrup to 10 ounces of seltzer water, or to taste. Add vanilla ice cream for a dessert drink!
Lavender Lemon Selzer
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons dried or fresh lavender (found at Wholefoods)
For the sodas
Sparkling water
Lavender simple syrup
Combine ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Allow to simmer until the sugar is dissolved and remove from heat. Allow syrup to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Mason jars work well. Keep refrigerated. Stores for about a week.
For the sodas
Combine 3 tablespoons lemon juice and 3 tablespoons syrup. Top with soda water. Viola!
