Homemade Orange Soda

Bahan-bahan

2 tablespoons orange zest (3-4 small oranges or 2 large oranges)

1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (juice of 3-4 small oranges or 2 large oranges)

½ cup granulated sugar

Sparkling water

Arahan

Using a microplane, zest and 2 large or 3-4 smaller oranges, then juice them. Set the juice aside.

To a medium-sized bowl, add the granulated sugar and orange zest. Use your fingers to massage the sugar into the zest, until the sugar is uniformly orange in color.

To a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the zest and sugar mixture and the juice. Heat to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally until all of the sugar has dissolved, then turn off the heat and let the zest steep in the syrup for at least 20 minutes, ideally until fully cooled.

Once cooled, strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove the zest. Transfer the syrup to a mason jar or other storage container (we use this pump top bottle).