Homemade Soda- A light and refreshing raspberry soda flavored with vanilla bean.
With summer here, I have been playing around with some fun drinks to help us stay cool. Last month I made a frozen coconut limeade and next I tried homemade soda. Soda is a drink that you might not think to make yourself. It sounds intimidating, but it’s really easy and no special equipment is needed. It’s as simple as making a flavored syrup and adding club soda to it.
You can make any flavor that you like, and the great thing is, you control the ingredients and quantity of sugar.
For this recipe, I made a raspberry vanilla flavored syrup. Raspberries add fresh flavor and color and a vanilla bean adds a touch of sweetness that really takes these over the top. When you bring the glass up to your mouth you can immediately smell the vanilla and it is divine! Since I used a fresh vanilla bean, the little black vanilla bean specks are visible throughout the soda, which gives it a slightly fancy feel.
You can make these a little indulgent by adding a splash of half and half to make them into an Italian soda. Either way, I can’t imagine that you won’t love them. Once you try homemade soda, you won’t want to go back to the store bought stuff.
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Recipe
Raspberry Vanilla Soda
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 12 oz bag frozen raspberries
- ½ vanilla bean, split lengthwise
- Club soda
- Half and half, optional
- Additional raspberries for garnish, optional
Instructions
Raspberry syrup:
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, frozen raspberries, and vanilla bean. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Syrup will darken in color and thicken slightly.
- Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, pressing lightly on the solids with a rubber spatula. Discard the solids and place the syrup in the refrigerator until chilled.
Assembly:
- Pour desired amount of syrup into a glass and top with club soda. I like a 1:3 syrup to club soda ratio. If desired, add a splash of half and half. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Stephanie @ Sustaining the Powers says
This is perfect timing because I just harvested some amazing black raspberries from our backyard and I have my own soda stream. I can’t wait to try this!! Pinned! Stopped by from Saturday Night Fever.
Celebrating Sweets says
Thanks for stopping by, Stephanie. I hope you enjoy!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
Such a gorgeous shot! LOVE it!
Celebrating Sweets says
Thanks, Chelsea!
Beth @ bethcakes says
These raspberry sodas are so gorgeous! They sound delicious, plus I love the shot with the cream! 🙂
Celebrating Sweets says
Thanks, Beth!
Dana Shultz (@minimalistbaker) says
Great photos!!!
Celebrating Sweets says
Thanks, Dana. I’m a big fan of yours! 🙂
Janis says
Such a fun idea. I never made soda.
kanisha says
how much club soda do we use
Celebrating Sweets says
As much as you’d like. I mention in the recipe that I use a 1:3 syrup to club soda ratio. You can just eyeball it and adjust to suit your taste.
Elena Martinez says
This is the best homemade soda I have ever made. I love making and mixing drinks. When I was in college I worked as a bar tender, and I made many delicious sodas and cocktails. Now that I have children I don’t drink much alcohol, and has started making mock tails. For my oldest daughters birthday I made this and it was a big hit. It is so refreshing and the taste is very defined, but tastes amazing!
Allison says
I’m so happy to hear that. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Rem says
This was so good! I used frozen peaches, a bit of extra sugar, and peach bubly, and it was amazing. I wish I could give it more stars because;
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐