If I’d been really on top of my game, I would have written about this book back in June, when summer was full of possibility and there were still plenty of long, warm evenings ahead for sipping cool drinks. Instead, it’s late September. October will be here in a blink. What on earth makes me think it’s a good time to feature a book about Homemade Soda?
Well, for one thing, the holidays are starting to loom. If you’ve got a devoted DIY-er on your list, this might just be the perfect book to wrap for them this year (paired with a soda siphon
if you’re feeling really generous). What’s more, there are plenty of recipes that work all year round, like the Vanilla Pear Sparkler (page 158) or the Effervescent Jasmine Honey Tea (page 191).
What makes this book so cool is that there are a number of ways you can use it. Many of the recipes can be made as syrups that you can stir into sparkling water. If you want to take it up a notch, there are also instructions on how to charge the entire concoction with bubbles for a more authentic flavor. There are also recipes for naturally fermented sodas tucked into the book, for those of you who want your carbonation to come the old fashioned way.
The other thing that makes Homemade Soda stand out from other books about infused syrups and home brewed soft drinks is the third part of the book, which is devoted to recipes that incorporate sodas into the ingredient list. From Ginger Beer Chicken Curry (page 272) to Chocolate Root Beer Cheesecake (page 292), these recipes will have you on your feet and headed to the kitchen in no time.
Now to figure out all 25 of the flavors in Dr.Pepper…
Oh! I am so glad you posted about this. I am constantly on the lookout for a sufficiently spicy ginger beer and these types of projects are easy enough to fit into my schedule, while being fun and experimental.
This book has been on the back burner of my wishlist for months! Thanks for bringing it back to my attention. I hate succumbing to the pitfalls of HFCS, but do love my Cokes, and can’t wait to try some of these other awesome natural-sugar flavors as well. They all sound so refreshing!
Looks great. It’s just in time for me to add to my xmas list.
I ♥ Dr. pepper so much that I make it into jelly in the winter when there’s nothing good to can!
This sounds AWESOME! Totally adding it to my BN list right now!
Checked this out from my local library – loved it and will be purchasing it soon!
This looks fantastic! I’m always on the lookout for fun cookbooks to either feature on the blog or give as gifts and this one looks like a good one for that!!
How timely! (Even if its not really summer in this neck of the woods anymore)
I just tried making a cola syrup for the first time, and it knocked my socks off.
The flavors are so complex, there is so much more going on then in your off-the-shelf sodas. I posted about it here: http://kitchentablepolitic.blogspot.com/2011/09/cola-magic.html
I have to say, I’m a convert!
I’m adding both this book and the soda siphon to my wishlist this Christmas.
I, too picked up this book this summer and have not had a moment to open it. I did make a ton of my own syrups for fresh sodas. Can’t wait to sink my teeth into this – great Christmas gifts abound!
Must. Go. To. Amazon. Now. 🙂
Dad just purchased this book at the Border’s out of business sale. Can’t wait to borrow it.
My husband found this book on Amazon and bought it for me…….he does things like that all the time. It is a fantastic book!!!! It even covers making Kombucha it really has it all and the Banana Cream Soda is one of my kids faves.!!!!!