Did you know that you can make your own healthy soda at home?
It’s not hard at all!
And it’s absolutely delicious in a cream soda float!
Use your favorite coconut, vanilla, or homemade Healthy Ice Cream.
(S is not a fan of coconut, which gave me a great excuse to try out a cashew-based version for our floats.)
Way back in the 1920s, my great grandmother would make homemade soda in her basement, then invite all the neighbors over for a party.
Well, soda is not all she made in her basement. But we probably shouldn’t go into that… 😉
Homemade root beer and ginger ale were her specialties; however I’ve always liked cream soda best, and so I adapted my great grandma’s homemade soda technique for the recipe I’m posting today: homemade and healthy cream soda, high in B vitamins, and much lower in sugar than the cola you’d get from a store.
Homemade Cream Soda
- 1/4 cup warm water (60g) (about 110 degrees F)
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar or regular sugar or agave (12g)
- pinch stevia extract, or 2-3 tbsp sweetener of choice
- 1/4 tsp brewers or dry active yeast (see below for yeast-free version)
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract (2g)
- 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 strip lemon zest (2-in or so)
- 2 cups water (480g)
- 32oz soda bottle, with a cap
Dissolve the 1 tbsp sugar (not xylitol or stevia) in the water, then sprinkle the yeast over top. Set aside 6-10 minutes, or until it bubbles. (If it doesn’t bubble, either your yeast is bad or your water was too hot.) Meanwhile, put all other ingredients into the soda bottle and shake well. Pour the bubbly yeast mixture into the soda bottle, either using a funnel or pouring through a paper cup with a small hole at the bottom. Shake, then put the cap on the bottle and store it in a warm, dry place. Wait about a day and a half (no longer), then slowly open the bottle over the sink—just in case. Your soda is ready to drink, or store it in the fridge. I’m sure that if you want instant cream soda, you could just use carbonated water and skip the yeast
For Instant Cream Soda: Omit the yeast and the 1 tbsp sugar. Use carbonated water for all the water in the recipe. Stir all ingredients together, and there is no need to wait.
Click for: Cream Soda Nutrition Facts
Question of the Day:
Pepsi, Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper… What’s your favorite type of soda?
When I was really little, I loved to buy orange sodas from the vending machine at a park near our house. But I’d never actually drink the sodas, as I didn’t like the sugary sweetness or carbonation. This was always a struggle between my mother and me… she knew the only reason I’d ask for money for a soda was because I liked pushing the button and watching it fall from the machine. The actual drink would end up in the trash after a few sips. Looking back, I tell my mom she should’ve been happy about this; she didn’t have to deal with a crazy-hyper kid on a sugar high!
Link of the Day:
Root Beer, for me, is the only soda worth drinking. If I have to choose between any soda (besides Root Beer) or water, I will choose water every time!
Do a homemade version of Root Beer PLEASE! I love your recipes and they always work and turn out AMAZING!
I’m not a huge soda fan, but I’m super intrigued by this recipe.
Very interesting! I never thought of making my own soda ever!
Maybe I’ll have to give it a try.
I actually always loved vanilla coke, but was sad when they discontinued it, otherwise not a huge pop drinker.
This looks so yummy, and fun to make! Also Katie…i think we are all dying to know who S is already! 😉
I know :(. It’s a legal thing. I used to post a lot more pictures of friends back when I first started the blog, but I’ve been advised not to post photos of anyone who doesn’t have a website or is family. Sounds dumb, but it’s always better to be on the safe side.
Why is your cream soda brown? Based on your recipe, it should be beige at its darkest. Is the variation you show a different recipe?
It will depend on the sugar you use. This batch was made with dark coconut sugar (as well as extra vanilla extract… I used 1 tbsp first, before deciding it was too strong).
Stupid question, but… what size soda bottle did you use? This sounds awesome!
Not a dumb question at all! I used a 32oz (1L) bottle.
Wait, what did your grandma used to make in her basement?
Alcoholic beverages, during Prohibition. It’s my understanding that she didn’t sell them; she just was known among the neighbors as the place to go! 😉
This is awesome! I love every recipe I have tried so far & am super excited to try the soda. I never drink it anymore & cream was always my fav.
Does the yeast make it alcoholic? Sounds easy and yummmmy!
Just a *tiny* bit. I just googled it for you (because I really had no idea of the answer), and I found this link that says “less than 1 percent.” http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/brew-soda-at-home.aspx
Oh, this looks good, and I don’t even like cream soda! Now if you were to offer us a root beer recipe, I just might have to get up and dance. Thanks for all your fab recipes, Katie. The healthy butterfingers are a staple in our house!
Omg! I don’t generally drink soda but love cream soda and root beer ! Also I’m thinking of someone I know who is diabetic… How much sugar would thou say is in a eight ounce serving?
In regular soda, or in mine? Mine will depend on the sugar you use (but there are 12g per tbsp of sugar). Real soda has around 35-40g per cup.