Bubbly drinks add a refreshing sparkle to hot days. An easy way to lift your spirits is by making your normal drinks with soda water. Lemonade, limeade, iced tea, iced coffee and even regular orange juice – all taste more exciting that way.
For something really unusual, try placing a tablespoon of balsamic or raspberry vinegar in a tall glass and filling it up with cold soda water. It is basically the same as a squirt of lemon juice, but more mysterious and just as tasty.
Here are some recipes to try:
Cranberry Orange Cooler
For a spritzer, try this with sparkling wine. For a cocktail, add a splash of rum.
Half 355 mL/12 1/2 oz can frozen orange juice concentrate
Half 275 mL/9 oz can frozen cranberry cocktail concentrate
750 mL bottle soda water
3 cups ice cubes
Combine concentrates in large pitcher. Add soda and ice.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Iced Coffee Float
This is a sophisticated version of an old-fashioned drink. Prepare the coffee four times the regular strength.
4 scoops vanilla, coffee or chocolate ice cream
2 cups extra strong coffee or espresso
1 1/2 cups soda water
Sugar to taste
2 cups ice cubes
Place ice cream in pitcher. Pour coffee on top. Stir to combine slightly. Add soda water and stir well. Add sugar to taste. Add ice cubes. Serve in tall glasses.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.
Iced Lemon Tea Fizz
Try this with different kinds of teas.
4 English Breakfast tea bags
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup fresh lemon juice
(about 4 lemons)
2 cups soda water
3 cups ice cubes
Place tea bags in heat-proof bowl and pour boiling water over them. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Steep 3 minutes. Discard tea bags.
Add lemon juice. Cool to room temperature or chill. Add soda water and ice cubes. If desired, add more sugar to taste.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.
