Homemade Soda

The easiest way to make homemade soda is to add flavored syrup to seltzer water. It is possible, however, to carbonate the water at home with a carbonation machine, a carbonation powder, or by fermentation.

Fast Facts

1. Often cheaper than store-bought soda
2. Common ingredients: Carbonated water, syrup, sugar, extracts
3. Fermentation carbonation causes alcohol production

Carbonation

Carbonation naturally occurs with fermentation. Fermentation is often induced by combining yeast, sugar and water in a warm environment over several days.

Carbonation also occurs when cold water is in contact with high pressure carbon dioxide gas. An apparatus can be built to force the carbon dioxide gas into the water to make seltzer water.

How to Make Ginger Ale

1. Mix together 3 tablespoons of fresh, grated ginger, 1 cup of sugar and 2/3 cup water, in a sauce pan. Stir over a medium heat until all the sugar dissolves. Allow the syrup to cool.
2. Strain into a two liter bottle. Add carbonated water to fill the rest of the bottle, leaving a small pocket of air.
3. Invert a few times to mix. Do not shake, as this will pressurize the carbonated water and cause it to explode outwards when the bottle is opened.
4. Serve chilled.

Categories