Homemade Ginger Peach Italian Soda

Growing up in Florida meant always looking for that next sweet, heat relieving summer treat. The one that I’ll always go back to is the Italian soda!

Italian sodas are homemade soft drinks with a dash of creaminess that make it the perfect combination of crisp and sweet. It’s completely unparalleled in freshness. Except maybe a good old fashioned sweet tea 😉

This recipe may have come from a desire for a pink drink, but it can easily be made with any kind of homemade syrup. In fact, blackberries are coming into peak season! Try the blackberry lavender syrup from the French (3) Quarters post or the one that started this obsession with syrups, the Cara Cara citrus.

Peach Simple Syrup

1 c filtered water
1 c sugar
2 washed + chopped peaches

1| Combine water, sugar, and peaches in saucepan.

2| Bring to simmer over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves.

3| Remove from heat and gently crush the peaches. Let stand for 30 minutes.

4| Strain into a glass container and let completely cool before using. Don’t seal with chunks of peaches! The peaches will ferment, build up gas, and may burst your jar. Store in the fridge up to a month.

Ginger Simple Syrup

1 c filtered water
1 c sugar
1 c rough chopped ginger

1| Combine water, sugar, and ginger in saucepan.

2| Bring to low boil over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves.

3| Lower heat and simmer for 15-30 minutes depending on how strong of a kick you want.

4| Same deal as the peach syrup- strain and let cool before using.

Italian Soda

ice
simple syrup
seltzer water
half & half

This is all ratio preference! A good place to start is 1/2 syrup to 1/2 seltzer water with a splash of half & half. 1/2, 1/2, and half & half! Just don’t forget the ice.

Make sure you grab seltzer water for this! Club soda and tonic water have extra minerals that might be perfect for some cocktails, but can mess with the peach and ginger flavors in these sodas.