Description
A refreshing homemade citrus soda made with fresh lemons and limes, naturally sweetened and perfectly fizzy. This drink offers a bright, tangy alternative to commercial sodas.
Ingredients
3 fresh lemons (yields ~6 tablespoons juice)
3 fresh limes (yields ~4 tablespoons juice)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (or 1/3 cup honey)
1 cup water
4 cups sparkling water or club soda, chilled
1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves (optional)
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon lime zest
Ice cubes
Additional lemon and lime slices for garnish
Instructions
1. Wash lemons and limes. Zest one of each fruit and set aside.
2. Cut and squeeze all citrus fruits to yield about 10 tablespoons combined juice.
3. Combine sugar and water in saucepan. Heat until sugar dissolves (3-5 minutes).
4. Remove from heat, add juices and zest. Stir well.
5. Let syrup cool to room temperature (30 minutes).
6. Strain syrup if desired and transfer to storage container.
7. For each serving, fill glass halfway with ice.
8. Add 2-3 tablespoons citrus syrup.
9. Slowly pour in chilled sparkling water.
10. Gently stir to combine.
11. Garnish with citrus slices and mint if using.
12. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use room temperature citrus for maximum juice.
Don’t boil the simple syrup – gentle heating only.
Mix fizzy water just before serving to maintain carbonation.
Syrup keeps for 2 weeks refrigerated.
Can use alternative sweeteners like honey or stevia.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Beverages
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: homemade soda, lemon lime drink, fresh citrus fizz, healthy soda alternative