DIY Soda :: juniper-sage syrup

In this house, we love making our own beverages. We make infused water, shrubs, syrups, switchels, and teas. My husband even roasts his own coffee beans. I drink a lot of water, but having a variety of beverages is nice - so many flavors! Every summer I find myself making this blend of juniper, ginger, sage, and lime. This combination is tangy, sweet, and earthy. Very different, and *very* good. 

My husband spent some time as a child in Germany, and so grew up on a little bit of syrup or fruit juice in a glass topped with seltzer water. These days we have a soda stream. We make all of our own syrups, but the little machine is a great fast way to fizz our own filtered water and use it to make drinks. This drink syrup is a base. You make the syrup, store it in the fridge, and when you want a drink, you make it right then. It is very easy. You simply add some ice to a glass, add a few tablespoons of the drink base (to taste), and top with seltzer water. It is cold, fizzy, and flavorful. DIY soda! And all homemade. Delicious! 

{Try making a cocktail version using syrup, gin, and seltzer!}

DIY Soda: Juniper-Sage Syrup

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{wholly rooted}

Make your own syrup base and then use for homemade sodas. Add a little of the syrup base to a glass with ice, pour in seltzer water or club soda to fill, and enjoy!

{ingredients}

• 2 cups of honey (or turbinado sugar)

• 2 cups water

• 4 Tbsp dried juniper berries, crushed

• 1-2" of fresh ginger, sliced

• 1/4 cup fresh sage, chopped

• Zest of 1 lime

• Juice of 2 limes

Make sure you crush the juniper berries a little to release their flavor.

Add the honey/sugar, water, ginger, juniper berries and sage to a pot.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Remove from heat and let cool.

Strain into a pitcher or quart jar.

Add the zest of 1 lime and the juice of 2 large limes.

Stir.

Keep in the refrigerator, and pour syrup out to use each time you make a drink.

To use: Measure a few tablespoons of the syrup into a glass with ice. Pour over seltzer water or club soda. Serve with a wedge of lime!

Use as much syrup as you prefer per drink. Some people like just a hint of flavor, some like sweeter soda-like drinks. Start out with just a splash and tweak to get the flavor you like!

Makes approximately 4 cups / 15-30 servings depending upon how much you use per drink.

Published July 24, 2015

Making your own drink syrup is very quick and easy, and homemade sodas taste fantastic!


{{Juniper berries are the seed cone produced by juniper. When dried they have a fresh green piney aroma and flavor. Juniper berries are used a lot in scandinavian and european cuisine to flavor meats and fermented veggies - and juniper berries are the main flavor in gin.  You can find dried juniper berries in the spices or dried herb section of most grocery stores. Online they can be found at places like iherb, Williams-Sonoma, Mountain Rose Herbs, Penzeys Spices, etc. }}