Holidays are looking distinctively low-key this year. Unable to travel to see my family due to common-sense covid protocol, it’s just us, hunkered down here at home.
In an attempt to make things still feel special this season, we’re throwing both old and new traditions in our winter holiday mix. And some fancy fizzies seem like just the thing to cultivate a more festive feel, even if we’re just hanging out at home.
With that in mind, I improvised the two soda syrup recipes below last night, and today Lupine and I are having a hard time not drinking them all before dinner time. Making them takes almost no active time, so get on it! If your family celebrates Thanksgiving, you can get these made easily with time to spare for tonight’s meal. (And if you wait until the last minute, just double down on the herbs and spices quantities, and steep for just 10 to 20 minutes instead of 2 hours, then quick-chill in the freezer.)
Amounts are so forgiving and flexible! I only measured because I wanted to share with you. Feel free to go rogue and wing it, throwing in your own favorite aromatics like thyme or sage, coriander or clove, grapefruit or lime.
Recipes follow!
Rosemary & Lemon Soda Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup honey or sugar
- 1 tbsp dried rosemary
- 12 whole peppercorns
- zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Place all ingredients except lemon juice in a small cooking pot.
- Place over medium heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved.
- Bring mixture to a vigorous simmer, then cover and remove from heat.
- Steep for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight.
- Strain and transfer to a 1/2 pint jar.
- For rosemary syrup, add lemon juice and stir to combine.
- Refrigerate until chilled.
Ginger & Cardamom Soda Syrup
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup honey, sugar, or maple syrup
- 2″ knob of fresh ginger, sliced or smashed
- 1 tsp cardamom seeds or 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small cooking pot.
- Place over medium heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved.
- Bring mixture to a vigorous simmer, then cover and remove from heat.
- Steep for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight.
- Strain and transfer to a 1/2 pint jar.
- For rosemary syrup, add lemon juice and stir to combine.
- Refrigerate until chilled.
To use, add a splash to fizzy water, and serve over ice (we like approximately 1 tbsp per cup).