Description
Homemade dandelion soda offers a refreshing twist on traditional beverages, blending wild foraged flowers with simple ingredients. Wild springtime botanicals create a delightful fizzy drink you can easily craft at home, celebrating nature’s unexpected delicacies.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ gallon (8 cups | 1.89 liters) water
- 2 cups fresh dandelion petals (green parts removed)
- ½ cup (100 grams) sugar (white or cane)
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- 1 orange (juice, optional, for a fruity twist)
- 1 small piece fresh ginger (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1/8 tsp (0.6 grams) sea salt
- 1–2 quart-sized glass jars or a ½-gallon jar
- cloth or coffee filter + rubber band for covering
Instructions
- Flower Harvesting: Select pristine, uncontaminated landscapes to gather dandelion blossoms, meticulously separating vibrant yellow petals from bitter green bases.
- Liquid Foundation: Gently simmer water, dissolving sugar completely before removing from heat. Infuse with dandelion petals, citrus elements, ginger, and sea salt, creating a complex aromatic base.
- Fermentation Process: Transfer mixture into sanitized glass container, draping with breathable cloth secured by elastic band. Allow transformation at stable room temperature (65-75°F) for 2-3 days, developing natural effervescence and tangy undertones.
- Carbonation Evaluation: Assess fermentation progress by sampling for mild bubbling and subtle sourness. Once desired complexity emerges, carefully strain liquid and decant into sterilized swing-top or screw-cap vessels.
- Storage and Serving: Refrigerate carbonated elixir, maintaining optimal freshness for approximately one week. Exercise caution when opening due to potential internal pressure, and serve thoroughly chilled with ice accompaniment.
Notes
- Choose unsprayed, clean areas free from pesticides or pollution to ensure safe, pure dandelion flower collection.
- Remove only bright yellow petals, meticulously discarding bitter green bases for a smoother, more delicate flavor profile.
- Maintain consistent room temperature between 65-75°F during fermentation to encourage ideal bacterial growth and prevent spoilage.
- Use sturdy, pressure-resistant bottles and open slowly to manage natural carbonation buildup, preventing unexpected fizzy explosions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 days
- Category: Drinks, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg