Soft Drinks Recipe
Make Soft Drinks Recipe in just 15m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Classic Cola
Ginger Ale (Minted)
Sparkling Citrus (Orange & Grapefruit)
Cola/Ginger/Sparkling -- Optional Add-ins (per glass)
Method
Classic Cola
Assemble cola
Place 1 cup of ice into a tall glass. Pour 1/2 cup cola syrup into the glass. Add 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice. Slowly pour 4 cups chilled carbonated water over the syrup and ice — pour gently down the side to preserve carbonation. Stir once gently with a long spoon to combine without flattening. Taste and adjust: add an extra tablespoon syrup if you like sweeter cola, or a splash more lime for brightness.
Garnish with a lime wheel on the rim and serve immediately chilled.
Ginger Ale (Minted)
Muddle mint and lemon
In a mixing glass or shaker, add 8 fresh mint leaves and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Gently muddle the mint 6–8 times — press to release oils but do not shred leaves.
Assemble ginger ale
Add 1/2 cup ginger syrup to the muddled mint and lemon. Fill a serving glass with 1 cup ice. Strain the mint-lemon-syrup mixture into the serving glass to avoid large mint fragments. Slowly add 4 cups chilled carbonated water, pouring down the side. Stir gently one time to combine.
Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lemon slice. Adjust sweetness by adding more ginger syrup or simple syrup if desired. Serve immediately.
Sparkling Citrus (Orange & Grapefruit)
Mix citrus base
In a pitcher, combine 3/4 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice, and 2 tablespoons simple syrup. Stir until syrup is fully incorporated.
Assemble sparkling citrus
Fill a glass with 1 cup ice. Pour the citrus base into the glass, then slowly top with 4 cups chilled carbonated water, pouring gently to keep bubbles. Stir once gently to blend.
Garnish with an orange twist or wheel. Taste and adjust sweetness with more simple syrup or add a splash of grapefruit for extra tartness. Serve immediately.
Optional Add-ins & Serving Notes
For complexity, add 1–2 dashes (about 2 tsp) of bitters to any glass and stir gently. Drop in a maraschino cherry or extra citrus wedge for presentation. These soft drinks are best served immediately while carbonated.
Scale proportions for single glasses or pitchers: the ingredient quantities above are per 1 large pitcher (about 4 servings). If making single servings, divide quantities by 4 (e.g., 1 cup carbonated water, 2 tbs cola syrup, etc.).
