So… this might be a post more aptly suited for the weekend, but I figure it’s Monday and we could all use a little “weekend” in our lives right about now.
Besides, the forecast for this week is mid 50-60’s and if that doesn’t call for a celebration I don’t know what does! And these blood orange Italian sodas are the perfect drink to sit back and pretend it’s already spring (something I’ve been doing a lot, lately)!
Up until a few months ago, I had never heard of an Italian soda (I know, I live under a rock) but, thankfully, a friend enlightened me to their sheer deliciousness and here we are! As a soda lover and former (ish?) Diet Coke drinker, these give me the sweetness and fizz I love without any of the scary ingredients. Which, also makes them crazy easy to make! They only have 6 ingredients (including those needed to make the blood orange syrup) and come together in about 15 minutes, which is the most I think you should have to spend for a beverage.
And making the syrup is the “hardest” part, seriously all you have to do is bring water and sugar to a boil, remove from the heat, add in the blood orange juice and mix together. After that, just add the sparkling water to a glass along with a few tablespoons of syrup, add a touch of coconut milk (or half-and-half) and you’re good to go!
Basically this is a must for any dinner party (your friends will be so impressed) or just for a quiet dinner at home.
****Also, I mentioned it in this post, but I am officially on Twitter and would love to have you follow along! My handle is @blondechefblog !
- Blood Orange Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- The juice of 3 blood oranges
- 1 drop red gel food coloring (optional)
- Soda
- 1 large bottle sparkling water
- 1 cup coconut milk (unsweetened)
- Basil or Mint to garnish
- In a medium-sized sauce pan, add the sugar and water and bring to a boil.
- Remove from the heat and add the blood orange juice.
- Stir together to combine. (If you want a darker red coloring, feel free to add some food colorant to help give it that deep red color).
- In a glass, add about ½ cup perrier then about 2 tbs. of the syrup and ¼ cup coconut cream.
- Garnish with mint or basil and serve immediately.
Wow, this sounds fantastic! Loving these photos, Aubrie. Cheers to warmer temps!
Thanks so much, Tessa! And summer can’t come fast enough!
This is so my kind of drink and now I’m super thirsty! Love!!!
Haha good! Can’t wait to hear how you liked it!
I’m just feeling the refreshment through your photos! Summery, gorgeous fun, and now I’m craving an Italian soda! I like the idea of adding coconut milk, too.