This venture into making my own craft soda was a recipe I made for my husband. I’m sort of odd when it comes to drinks- coffee and water are the only liquids I want or need. My husband, though, likes a “flavored” drink now and again. He usually opts for a ginger ale in a can when he gets the craving, but I got the idea to make him a from scratch craft soda. Something refreshing and light that isn’t processed and doesn’t have tons of additives or ingredients we can’t pronounce.
We both love blackberries, and lime is must have ingredient in the summer. I decided to add the mint just to give it a little something extra. And I’ve got to say, this drink was so phenomenal that I wanted one too! I never drink soda, but this doesn’t taste like soda. It’s better. It’s light and natural and you can actually taste each and every ingredient.
Not to mention, you can count the ingredients on one hand!
All you have to do is combine the blackberries, sugar, water, lime juice/zest, and mint into a small pot on the stove over medium heat. Let them simmer, stirring occasionally, for a few minutes until the sugar dissolves and the blackberries get very soft.
Once the blackberries are soft enough, gently smash them while still in the pot with a wooden spoon (careful not to stain your clothes). Allow to simmer for a couple of minutes, and then pour contents into a strainer to extract all of the juice.
This juice will be the syrup that you add to a glass of ice and club soda. Start with 2 tablespoons of the syrup, stir, and taste. Add another tablespoon if you would like more. Of course, this is all dependent on the size of your glass, but 2-4 tablespoons should suffice.
Garnish your drink with a wedge of lime, blackberries, and mint leaf.
Leftover syrup can be stored in a mason jar in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks.
Blackberry Lime Craft Soda with Mint
***This recipe will make 2-3 sodas. Double or even triple amounts to have more!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup blackberries
Juice and zest from half a lime
2-3 mint leaves
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 cup water
Club soda
Directions:
1. Simmer blackberries, lime juice and zest, mint leaves, sugar, and water over medium heat stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves and blackberries are very soft.
2. Gently smash blackberries with spoon while in the pot, and allow to simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
3. Put contents into strainer to extract all of the juice. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
4. To make soda: Fill glass with ice. Add 2-4 (begin with less and add more to taste) tablespoons of syrup, then top with club soda. Stir and taste. Garnish with lime wedge, blackberries, and mint leaf.
