Eco-Savvy Soda

Wanna know a secret?  I love soda.  Always have, always will.  There’s just something about bubbles and sugar that go so great together!

Still, my addiction to soda is not one that I’m proud of…it’s not healthy, it’s not green, and in most cases it’s usually a planet-trashing mess.  Until now.

Chef Michael Wurster of New York City’s restaurant has recently launched a Green Brunch that features, among other yummy eco-fare, a variety of organic, natural flavored sodas and waters all prepared in the restaurant’s kitchen and stored in reusable glass bottles.  And guess what…Chef Wurster is sharing the recipes for these yummy eco-sodas with The Green Parent!

Now I can have my soda and drink it too! Enjoy Green Parents…I know I will!

Natural Blackberry Soda

• Blackberries – 1 Pint
• Sugar – ½ Cup
• Water – ¾ Cup
• Soda Water

Mix the Sugar and the water together in a sauce pan to dissolve and then add the Blackberries.  Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer until tender, about 30 minutes and then cool.  Add all of the ingredients to the blender and mix until you have a smooth puree, reserve for finish.

Take a large glass and fill first with ice and then fill the glass half way with the Blackberry puree, top with Soda Water and mix vigorously with a spoon to incorporate and serve.

Natural Strawberry Soda

• Strawberries – 1 Pint, stems removed and split in half
• Sugar – ½ Cup
• Water – ¾ Cup
• Soda water

Mix the Sugar and the water together in a sauce pan to dissolve and then add the Strawberries.  Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer until tender, about 20 minutes and then cool.  Add all of the ingredients to the blender and mix until you have a smooth puree, reserve for finish.

Take a large glass and fill first with ice and then fill the glass half way with the Strawberry puree, top with Soda Water and mix vigorously with a spoon to incorporate and serve.

Pineapple Strawberry Water

• Pineapple – 1 large, peeled and chopped coarsely
• Strawberries – 1 Pint, stemmed and split in half
• Water – 1 Gallon
• Soda Water

Bring all of the ingredients to a boil in a large stock pot and then cool in a conductive container in a large ice bath.  Bring the temperature of the water down below 40* and then pour into containers to refrigerate overnight.

Serve over fresh fruit garnish and ice after letting the flavors macerate overnight.

Vanilla Raspberry Water

• Vanilla Beans – 2 split in half, lengthwise
• Raspberries – 2 Pint
• Water – 1 Gallon
• Soda Water

Bring all of the ingredients to a boil in a large stock pot and then cool in a conductive container in a large ice bath.  Bring the temperature of the water down below 40* and then pour into containers to refrigerate overnight.

Serve over fresh fruit garnish and ice after letting the flavors macerate overnight.