Honey Lemon Pink Soda (Printable)
Zesty lemon and honey soda with a berry-kissed pink hue, ready in just 10 minutes for any occasion.
# What You'll Need:
→ Syrup Base
01 - 1/3 cup honey
02 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
03 - 1/4 cup water
→ Pink Color & Flavor
04 - 1/4 cup fresh raspberries or strawberries
05 - 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, enhances fruit extraction)
→ Soda Assembly
06 - 3 cups chilled sparkling water or club soda
07 - Ice cubes, as needed
→ Garnish
08 - Lemon slices
09 - Fresh mint leaves
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a small saucepan, combine the honey, lemon juice, water, raspberries or strawberries, and sugar if using. Gently mash the berries with a muddler or fork. Heat over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring continuously, until the honey fully dissolves and the mixture develops a vibrant pink color.
02 - Pour the warm mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl or jug, pressing firmly on the fruit to extract maximum color and flavor. Discard the solids and set the strained syrup aside to cool slightly.
03 - Fill four serving glasses generously with ice cubes. Pour the pink honey-lemon syrup equally among the glasses, dividing it evenly.
04 - Pour chilled sparkling water or club soda over the syrup in each glass, filling to the top. Stir gently to combine without losing the carbonation.
05 - garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a sprig of fresh mint. Serve immediately while cold and effervescent.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The honey lemon combination is infinitely more interesting than any store bought soda you will find.
- It takes almost no effort and the color alone makes people think you did something fancy.
02 -
- Heating the honey too aggressively can dull its floral character, so keep the heat low and patient.
- The syrup can be made a day ahead and refrigerated, which actually helps the flavors settle and marry beautifully.
03 -
- Taste the syrup before adding sparkling water and adjust the honey or lemon because once the bubbles go in there is no going back.
- Slapping the mint between your palms before garnishing releases far more fragrance than simply dropping it in whole.