Blueberry Soda Food

REFRESHING BLUEBERRY SODA

Steps:

• Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a saucepan. Stir the sugar and basil into the water and return to a boil; cook at a boil for 10 minutes and immediately remove from heat. Chill in refrigerator until slightly cooled, about 10 minutes.
• Blend the blueberries, 1/2 cup water, and the lemon juice in a blender until smooth; pour into a pitcher. Remove the basil leaves from the simple-syrup mixture; discard the basil. Stir the syrup into the blueberry mixture. Add the carbonated water to the mixture and stir gently.

BERRY SODA

Steps:

• Add some ice to 4 glasses. Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of the Cranberry Concord Syrup into the glasses and top with sparkling water. Stir gently and serve.
• Combine the cranberries, grape jam, grape juice, sugar and orange zest in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries are very soft and easily break apart when pushed with a wooden spoon, about 20 minutes. Do not simmer too hard or the sauce may boil over. Let cool, then strain the syrup into a small pitcher.

ALTON BROWN'S BLUEBERRY SODA FROM GOOD EATS (FOOD NETWORK)

Steps:

• Place the blueberries and the water into a medium saucepan, set over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the mixture into a colander lined with cheesecloth that is set in a large bowl.
• Allow to cool for 15 minutes.
• Gather up the edges of the cheesecloth and squeeze out as much of the liquid as possible.
• Discard the skin and pulp.
• Return the blueberry juice to the saucepan along with the sugar and lime juice.
• Place over medium high heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
• Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and transfer to a heatproof glass container and place in the refrigerator, uncovered, until completely cooled.
• Before Serving: Combine 1/4 cup of the liquid with 8-ounces of carbonated water and serve over ice.

FRENCH SODAS (BLUEBERRY, STRAWBERRY OR RASPBERRY)

Steps:

• Boil the sugar and water until it begins to dissolve. Add the berries and simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes. The berries will turn to mush and the liquid will thicken.
• Strain over a bowl keeping the juice and discarding the fruit. Cool completely and refrigerate until ready to use.
• To make a French Soda: Fill a tall glass with crushed ice. Pour over 1/4 part of the berry syrup. Pour over with sparkling water. Add a splash of half-and-half (or to taste). Serve with as straw which is used to gently stir the mixture together.