We rarely had soda in our house growing up (or as we like to say in Southern Indiana, “Coke”). It just wasn’t something that was a pantry staple in my parents’ kitchen. Sure, we’d buy some two liters when company was coming over, but everyday beverages were limited to tea, water and milk. This made getting a soft drink from the gas station during a road trip a real treat. We’d be in the car pulled up to a gas pump and my Mama would turn around to the backseat and ask me if I wanted a Coke, and I remember always being so excited. And then paralyzed with indecision. So many flavorful, sugar-y choices at my disposal. It took me forever to decide.
The novelty of soda wore off when I hit high school, got my driver’s license and started making my own money. Suddenly, I could buy a soda whenever I wanted and thus began the standard country girl three-a-day Mountain Dew habit. I switched to Diet Coke in college, but the soft drink dependency still raged on. No longer was it a fun treat for road trips, but it was a necessity for daily life.
Once I started eating healthier, my daily soft drinks were replaced with water and I never looked back. Now that I’m a few years removed from a soft drink habit, I’ve gained back the novelty of it all. Buying a soda from the store now feels like a treat again! The one issue: those all-natural soft drinks are pricey as all get out. It’s hard to justify paying upwards of $2 for some flavoring and carbonated water. So, to the kitchen!
I love this refreshing soda because the sweetness level is totally customizable. I love sparkling flavored waters (like LaCroix) but sometimes I crave a little touch of sweetness, but often the natural sodas on the store shelves are sugar overkill for me. I can find a happy medium by making my own. Plus, this sucker has real fruit juice! Each serving of soda provides 100% of your RDA of Vitamin C and 35% of your Vitamin A. Soda that’s not just not bad for you, but is actually good for you? What a crazy thought!
Simple Grapefruit Soda
I love this refreshing soda because the sweetness level is totally customizable.
Ingredients
- Juice of one pink grapefruit
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 2-4 tablespoons agave or simple syrup (see note)
- Ice
- Seltzer water
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine grapefruit juice, lemon juice, salt, and agave or simple syrup.
- Fill two highball glasses with ice. Pour half of grapefruit mixture into each glass. Fill to top with seltzer water. Stir well.
Notes
NOTE: Blue agave is a great natural sweetener for this drink because it dissolves into cold liquid. However, it has a very distinctive flavor that some folks don't like. If you aren't a fan, use flavorless simple syrup instead. To make, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and heat until sugar is dissolved. Let cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 583Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 215mgCarbohydrates: 148gFiber: 3gSugar: 136gProtein: 2g
At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.
