Honey Lemon Pink Soda

Someone handed me a glass of something blush colored at a backyard birthday party last July and I spent the entire next week trying to reverse engineer it in my own kitchen.

My first attempt was a disaster because I overheated the honey and it turned bitter so I learned to keep the heat low and patient.

Ingredients

• Honey: Use a mild floral honey rather than a dark robust one so the lemon stays front and center.
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice: Bottled juice tastes flat and metallic here so squeeze it fresh from about two lemons.
• Water: Just a splash to help the honey loosen up as it warms.
• Fresh raspberries or strawberries: These are your ticket to that gorgeous pink color plus a subtle fruity undertone.
• Sugar (optional): A small amount helps pull the color and flavor out of the berries more effectively.
• Chilled sparkling water or club soda: Make sure it is well chilled because warm soda will melt the ice and dilute everything.
• Ice cubes: Fill each glass generously since this drink is best ice cold.
• Lemon slices and fresh mint leaves: For garnish that makes each glass look like it came from a proper bar.

Instructions

Make the pink syrup:

Combine the honey, lemon juice, water, berries, and sugar if using in a small saucepan over low heat. Gently mash the berries with a fork or muddler and stir for two to three minutes until the honey dissolves and the mixture turns a lovely shade of pink.

Strain the syrup:

Pour the warm mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a jug or bowl and press firmly on the fruit to squeeze out every drop of color and flavor. Discard the solids and let the syrup cool slightly.

Build the drinks:

Fill four glasses with ice cubes and divide the pink syrup evenly among them pouring slowly so it settles at the bottom.

Add the fizz:

Top each glass with chilled sparkling water and give it a gentle stir to blend the syrup and soda without killing the bubbles.

Garnish and serve:

Rest a lemon slice on the rim of each glass and tuck a sprig of mint into the drink then serve immediately while it is still lively and cold.

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I served this at a friend's baby shower and three separate people asked me for the recipe before the cake was even cut.

Getting the Color Just Right

The depth of pink depends entirely on how generous you are with the berries and how hard you press them through the sieve.

Making It Ahead

You can prepare the syrup up to three days in advance and store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator then just add soda and ice when you are ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

This drink plays well with almost any menu from light salads to grilled meats and it adapts beautifully to whatever berries you have on hand.

• Frozen berries work fine in a pinch just thaw them first so they release their juice readily.
• A splash of gin or vodka turns this into a perfectly balanced cocktail for evening gatherings.
• Taste the syrup before adding soda and adjust honey or lemon until it makes your mouth happy.

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Some drinks just make people happy and this blushing little soda is absolutely one of them. Pour it with confidence and watch everyone smile.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ Can I make the syrup ahead of time?

Yes, the honey-lemon-berry syrup can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply divide the syrup among ice-filled glasses and top with sparkling water.

→ What can I substitute for raspberries or strawberries?

You can use grenadine syrup or a store-bought berry syrup for the pink color if fresh berries aren't available. Pomegranate juice reduced slightly also works well to provide both color and fruity flavor.

→ Is this soda suitable for children?

This beverage contains honey, which should not be given to children under 1 year of age. For older children, it's a perfectly suitable and fun colorful drink. You can substitute agave syrup or maple syrup if preferred.

→ Can I use still water instead of sparkling water?

Sparkling water or club soda provides the characteristic fizz of a soda. Still water will create more of a lemonade-style drink. If you want some carbonation without full fizz, you can mix half sparkling and half still water.

→ How do I adjust the sweetness level?

Increase or decrease the amount of honey in the syrup to suit your taste. You can also add more lemon juice for a tarter profile. Keep in mind that the sparkling water dilutes the syrup, so the final drink will be milder than the concentrated syrup tastes.

→ Can I turn this into a cocktail?

Absolutely. A splash of gin or vodka transforms this into a refreshing adult beverage. About 1.5 ounces of spirit per glass works well. You could also experiment with prosecco in place of sparkling water for a spritz variation.