Soda is expensive and full of additives that aren't natural or good for you. I swore off buying soda a long time ago because it was an addiction I couldn't afford. Every once in a while we treat ourselves to a flavored seltzer and that's about it. I ran across this article about getting rid of sodas and making your own. I'm aware of the SodaStream product but I didn't want to get caught up in buying CO2 refills... the answer was in seltzer. Seltzer is dirt cheap and you can dress it up a million ways from Sunday! The next question was- what recipes am I going to feature? Well, as a kid I loved egg creams! My family & I would go to a Jewish delicatessen and I would get the same thing all the time: potato pancakes (with sour cream & applesauce), matzo ball soup & a chocolate egg cream. DELICIOUS!
The second recipe is actually the one retail soda I have a weakness for.... Cream Soda. I don't care if it's Jones Cream Soda or A&W's... Yum.
The third I thought was more practical for my family- a fruit soda. It's a simple preparation where you puree fruit, strain it to remove seeds, cook it down to form a concentrated syrup- simply add a small quantity to seltzer and some ice cubes and stir and you have a refreshing DIY fruit soda-- in a TON of different ways! Love Mangoes- well you don't need to go to some exotic store to buy a mango soda! Watermelon, strawberry-- the possibilities are endless.
Here are the 3 that I found! ENJOY!
http://www.marthastewart.com/348771/cream-soda-syrup
http://www.seltzersisters.com/recipes.html (this one has the egg cream recipe & a few variations!)
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/mango-fizz.html?cm_src=RECIPESEARCH
http://www.foodinjars.com/2011/06/drink-week-day-one-black-raspberry-syrup/
If you want to see more DIY soda recipes- email me & I will research and post more!!
You're my hero! I can't wait to make an egg cream. I'm trapped in (read: live in) the Wild West (read: Wisconsin), where there are no egg creams (except the egg-shaped chocolates), soft rolls with holes in the middle are passed off as bagels, and pizza toppings are dumped atop crackers and the whole mess is deviously labeled "pizza." Poor, abused pizza toppings. Can't wait to treat my deprived friends to an egg cream. My only misgiving is that some of them admit to preferring Kraft Mac n' Cheez to homemade baked macaroni and cheese.
ReplyDeleteLoL! Hey, if you have a craving - let me know & I'll try to find the best recipe for you!
ReplyDeleteI've lived in a few States like that so I feel your pain! :)