Homemade Lemon Soda is a quick and refreshing drink that only requires a few simple ingredients. Sweetened with pure maple syrup, this recipe is a healthier way to enjoy a fizzy soda on hot summer days.
Why I haven't shared this recipe sooner is a mystery. It's so simple, so quick, and so satisfying.
Plus, it's a delicious beverage both kids and adults can enjoy. It offers that thirst-quenching effervescence without the copious amounts of sugar and long list of questionable ingredients.
This soda will also forever remind me of my Dad and his delight the first time he tasted it.
It became a frequent request whenever he got a hankering for a cola (which was previously a very rare occasion).
Made with just three real-food ingredients, this lemon soda is a super-simple way to enjoy a fizzy summer refresher that's healthier and hydrating!
Plus, the maple syrup adds rich, caramel-like notes that help to satisfy those sweet soda cravings.
Is Homemade Lemon Soda Healthy?
While it shouldn't be over-consumed, homemade lemon soda is a much healthier choice than most mass-produced soda pops.
Made with real lemon juice and a touch of maple syrup, it's lower in sugar and free of harmful additives.
Plus, you can add a pinch of natural mineral salt to turn it into a homemade electrolyte drink!
Health Benefits
Rich in vitamin C. Fresh-squeezed lemon juice is an excellent source of vitamin C, which supports immune function, skin health and antioxidant activity.
Hydrating. This lemon soda is a great way to stay hydrated! Using mineral water and adding a pinch of salt is a great way to replenish electrolytes and balance fluids.
Low Sugar. Lightly sweetened with pure maple syrup, this lemon soda is an easy and delicious way to cut back on sugar.
Seasonal Benefits
Spring is a great time to get the digestive juices flowing with sour foods like lemon. This soda also makes an easy non-alcoholic drink to serve at spring parties, showers or brunches.
Summer is when this soda truly hits the spot! It's incredibly refreshing during heat waves and sun-filled days. Plus, it can help replenish electrolytes when adding a pinch of mineral salt.
How to Make Lemon Maple Soda
This maple-sweetened lemon soda takes no time at all! All you need is a few simple ingredients and a few minutes to mix it all together.
What You Will Need
Equipment
- Large pitcher. I find it easiest to mix the lemon soda in a large pitcher for easy pouring.
- Long-handled spoon. To avoid dirtying another dish, I like to use a long-handled spoon to stir the lemon and maple syrup in the bottom of the pitcher.
- Lemon juicer or squeezer. To get the most juice out of the lemons, I like using a lemon juicer or squeezer. However, you can always use your hands if you don't have one.
- Sieve. I like to strain the lemon juice through a sieve to remove any seeds or chunks.
- Measuring spoons. I love eyeballing ingredients as much as the next. But with this one, I always measure the maple syrup to avoid over-sweetening the soda. You can always add more after, if needed!
Ingredients
- Sparkling mineral water offers fizzy bubbles and can help replenish electrolytes.
- Fresh-squeezed lemon juice adds all-natural flavour that's rich in vitamin C.
- Pure maple syrup adds natural sweetness along with B vitamins, antioxidants and more minerals.
- Unrefined salt (optional) can boost fizziness and turn this soda into an electrolyte drink! The sodium and minerals help to replenish the body and balance fluids after sweating or illness.
Step 1: Squeeze Lemon
First, cut the lemons in half. Then twist the halves over a lemon juicer or place them in a squeezer to extract the juice.
Place a sieve over a pitcher, jug or bowl. Pour the lemon juice through the sieve to catch any seeds and pulp.
I find it helpful to use a small spoon to squish and swish the pulp around to extract as much juice as I can.
Step 2: Mix Lemon & Maple
Add the maple syrup to the pitcher, jug or bowl with the lemon juice and mix until well combined.
Step 3: Add Sparkling Water
Once the lemon juice and pure maple syrup have been mixed, pour in the sparkling mineral water.
If the juice and syrup remain at the bottom, give it a gentle stir. To keep it nice and fizzy, avoid stirring too vigorously.
My Top Tips
- Use sparkling mineral water to replenish the body on hot days.
- Add a touch of mineral salt to boost electrolytes, flavour and fizz.
- Mix the lemon juice and maple syrup before you add the sparkling water. Stirring too much afterwards can cause it to fizz out and flatten.
Substitutions & Variations
Pure honey can be used in place of the maple syrup.
Omit the sweetener completely to make it sugar-free.
Still water can be used instead of sparkling water if you want to avoid the carbonation.
Unflavoured ginger bug soda or kombucha can also be used in place of sparkling mineral water for the same fizzy effect. However, these will mildly alter the flavour.
Storing & Saving
This lemon soda is best served fresh to maintain peak fizziness. However, I typically make one batch and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
It can still be safe to consume for up to seven days when properly sealed and refrigerated. But it does tend to go completely flat after about 2 to 3 days.
To maintain freshness and flavour, I like storing it in an airtight glass juice jug.
FAQs
Yes, any type of unflavoured carbonated water will work for this recipe! It can be sparkling mineral water, carbonated water, club soda or even homemade fermented soda or kombucha.
Yes! You can use pure honey as an alternative sweetener to maple syrup. Both dissolve easily as they are liquid. Granulated sugars may not work as well.
Yes, you can absolutely omit the sweetener for a sugar-free sparkling beverage!
While this can be considered sparkling lemonade, I like to call it soda because it's not quite as sweet and tangy. It uses fewer lemons and less sweetener than traditional lemonade recipes.
Recipe Highlights
Quick and easy. With just a few simple ingredients, all you need to do is mix and enjoy!
Refined sugar-free. With a touch of pure maple syrup, this soda is made with a natural, minimally refined sweetener.
Real food flavour. With freshly squeezed lemon juice, this soda is free of artificial flavours and food dyes.
More Refreshing Drinks
If you make this Homemade Maple-Sweetened Lemon Soda, let me know how they turn out by leaving a comment and rating below. Also, make sure you're following along on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Flipboard for more wildly nutritious recipes!
Quick Homemade Lemon Soda (Maple Sweetened)
Print RecipeEquipment
- Large Pitcher or Jug
- Long-Handled Spoon
- Lemon Squeezer
- Sieve
- Measuring Utensils
Ingredients
- 1 Litre Sparkling Mineral Water (Unflavoured)
- 2 tablespoon Pure Maple Syrup
- 1 Pinch Himalayan Salt (Optional)
Instructions
- First, cut the lemons in half. Then twist the halves over a lemon juicer or place them in a squeezer to extract the juice.Place a sieve over a pitcher, jug or bowl. Pour the lemon juice through the sieve to catch any seeds and pulp.I find it helpful to use a small spoon to squish and swish the pulp around to extract as much juice as I can.
- Add the maple syrup to the pitcher, jug or bowl with the lemon juice and mix until well combined.
- Once the lemon juice and pure maple syrup have been mixed, pour in the sparkling mineral water.If the juice and syrup remain at the bottom, give it a gentle stir. To keep it nice and fizzy, avoid stirring too vigorously.
Notes
- Use sparkling mineral water to replenish the body on hot days.
- Add a touch of mineral salt to boost electrolytes, flavour and fizz.
- Mix the lemon juice and maple syrup before you add the sparkling water. Stirring too much afterwards can cause it to fizz out and flatten.
- Pure honey can be used in place of the maple syrup.
- Omit the sweetener completely to make it sugar-free.
- Still water can be used instead of sparkling water if you want to avoid the carbonation.
- Unflavoured ginger bug soda or kombucha can also be used in place of sparkling mineral water for the same fizzy effect. However, these will mildly alter the flavour.Â
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