Refreshing Honey Lemon Pink Soda

The first time I mixed this, the kitchen was sweltering and I needed something cold immediately without making a run to the store.

I remember serving these to friends on a balcony last summer, the ice clinking in the glasses as the sun went down.

Ingredients

• Club soda: Use the coldest bottle you can find for maximum fizz and refreshment.
• Honey: Whisking this first is crucial to avoid a glob sinking to the bottom.
• Fresh lemon juice: Bottled juice simply cannot replicate the bright zing of a fresh squeeze.
• Pink cranberry juice: This brings the beautiful color and a fruity depth to the drink.
• Ice cubes: Essential to keep the soda crisp from the first sip to the last.
• Lemon slices: A visual cue that hints at the citrus flavor waiting inside.
• Fresh mint: Adds an aromatic lift that makes the drink feel extra special.

Instructions

Mix the base:

In a small pitcher, whisk the honey and lemon juice vigorously until the honey fully disappears into the liquid.

Add color:

Pour in the cranberry juice and stir until the mixture turns a uniform and lovely shade of pink.

Prep the glasses:

Drop ice cubes into two tall glasses until they are nearly full to chill everything instantly.

Pour the mix:

Divide the pink juice mixture evenly between the two prepared glasses.

Add the fizz:

Top off each glass slowly with the chilled club soda to preserve the bubbles.

Finish and serve:

Stir gently once, then garnish with a lemon slice and a sprig of mint before serving.

Save

This drink became a staple for our Friday nights, marking the start of the weekend with a clink of glasses.

Choosing Your Juice

Grapefruit juice will make it much tarter, while cranberry offers a sweeter, rounder fruitiness that I prefer.

Honey Temperature

If your honey has crystallized, warm the jar slightly in a bowl of hot water to make it easier to whisk.

Making It Ahead

You can mix the honey, lemon, and cranberry juice in a jar and keep it in the fridge.

• Add the soda and ice right before serving.
• Do not mix the soda in advance or it will go flat.
• Shake the syrup well if it sits for a while.

Save

Enjoy this bubbly creation and let it transport you to a cooler, happier place instantly.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Can I use a different pink juice?

Yes, you can substitute pink grapefruit juice for cranberry juice, or even grenadine for a deeper color and sweetness.

→ Is this drink vegan?

No, it contains honey, which is not suitable for vegans. You can replace honey with agave syrup for a vegan version.

→ How do I make it sweeter?

Simply increase the amount of honey to taste. For a natural alternative, add a touch more cranberry juice.

→ Can I make this ahead of time?

It’s best served fresh, but you can mix the honey, lemon, and pink juice ahead and add soda just before serving.

→ What type of soda works best?

Chilled club soda or sparkling water works best to maintain the effervescent quality and light flavor.