My New Obsession - Homemade Soda

Yes you read that right. Homemade soda

I love to make homemade anything, so when I saw this pin on pinterest how to make Homemade Ginger Ale, I had to try it. It was as easy as the post said it was. I added all the ingredients to a 2 liter bottle, and in two days (and it was pretty cool) the soda was fermented and bubbly. So bubbly in fact that I had to keep opening the bottle a teeny bit to let the air out and re-close until it settled a little.

I loved it, but I think there is a bit too much lemon, and I'm sure there is too much sugar. So I searched websites and found lots of great recipes. There was also too many ginger chunks that had to be strained after. I didn't like that.

Alton Brown's Recipe is similar, but eliminating the chunks by simmering the Ginger, straining and adding the Ginger flavored Syrup. Alton Brown Ginger Ale This recipe will go in my next bottle. I'll let you know how it goes. I also want to try lime instead of lemon. And you can use powdered ginger too.

I started thinking, that if it's that easy to make Ginger Ale, what other soda's can I make. I searched and this was the best resource I found. Thank you Mother Earth News. I think the real trick is, very clean utensils, the right amount of sugar and the right amount of yeast.

I've purchased Root Beer extract. It's on the way. And I must try Grape Soda too. I'm going to try other things, like teas and herbs. How about Lime and Mint. Mojito soda. Awesome! I've also ordered champagne yeast. See if that makes a difference.

There are a few other tips I read if you want to try this at home. Although you CAN ferment in bottles, it's recommended that you first try plastic bottles. Two liter soda or gallon milk/water bottles. The fermentation can cause the bottles to explode if it goes too far, so better broken plastic, than broken glass, and the plastic does give a bit. Another tip was to feel the bottle when you first add all the ingredients. It should give a little. The process is finished when the bottle is firm and does not give. Remember to put in the fridge immediately to stop the fermentation process.

I'm so very excited about this. Hey, if I'm ever snowbound and out of soda, I can whip up a batch in 2 days. Cool. The best thing about this, is that it's supposed to be healthier. That is except for the sugar. But the thought is that you can maybe use less sugar and maybe stevia, or honey, or even agave syrup. I'm wondering how molasses or honey would taste with the Ginger Ale? I'll be trying everything and posting my best recipes for you. Keep watching :)

What's Cooking? - Vampire Blood Punch

Punch Bowl from Leonord1.etsy.com

Having a Party and Not sure what beverage to serve? Well if you really want to liven up the party serve my Vampire Blood Punch, but take away your guests keys and make up the guest rooms. This one is wicked sneaky and you don't want to be responsible for Out of control behavior. But on Halloween, it's so much fun.

Very Simple recipe, just add ingredients and stir. I like to add ice cubes embedded with plastic, insects, fingers, anything to gross out my guests. The beverage is wonderfully dark and concealing so the surprises don't really show until they bottom up. I am so wicked.

VAMPIRE BLOOD PUNCH

2 - 2 liter bottles of Cherry Strawberry Soda
2 - 2 liter bottles of Dr Pepper Soda
1 liter of vodka

What's Cooking - Sweet Hot Dill Pickles - (Almost) Real Lemonade

Down near San Antonio, Texas, there's a lady who makes killer pickles. Sweet, hot and dill. I suspect it was created on a pickling day when there was a little of everything left over and it was all poured into one jar. I've been trying to replicate it, but no real luck. I did make a fantastic batch though this weekend and I will share.

They may not be the Pickle Lady pickles (Fickle Pickles) ficklepickles.com, but they are sure good. Here's my Recipe. This calls for Pickling cucumbers, but I know this will be great using zucchini too, because my zucchini pickle recipe is very close to this.

Sweet Hot Dill Pickles

4 Sterilized Quart jars
1 Gallon sliced pickling cucumbers or small zucchini
1 quart vinegar
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup salt
2 cups water
1/4 cup pickling spice
4 chili peppers or other small hot pepper
2 tablespoons dried dill or 4 good sized sprigs

Pack 4 quart jars with sliced cucumbers, you can add a few sliced onions if you like your pickles that way. About halfway through add a chili pepper sliced in half. Top cukes with 1/2 T dried dill.( If using fresh Dill put  in jar before adding cucumbers.)

Bring the water, vinegar, sugar and pickling spice to a boil. You can wrap spices in cheesecloth so they are easier to remove, or you can strain the liquid before using. Make sure your sugar is dissolved and your liquid is free of spices. Pour hot liquid over cucumbers, watching that the liquid doesn't get on the jars. Seal jars and use a hot water bath for 10 minutes. Your pickles can be eaten as soon as they are cooled.

These are fantastic on a slice of sharp cheddar sitting on a Ritz type cracker.

Bonus recipe today!!!

I mad this great easy lemonade this week and I wanted to share. It is so close to real lemonade, a bit healthy and not too sugary. I bu the lemon juice and lemon drink mix at Aldi, but I know you can get a large bottle of lemon in the Mexican food section of the grocery for a fair price and you can use any sugarfree lemonade mix.

Lemonade - Makes one Gallon

Fill gallon container with just shy of one gallon water
Add one packet sugar free lemonade mix (to make 2 quarts)
1/4 cup real lemon juice

Mix together and refrigerate. The lemon I get is about $1.20 for a 32 oz bottle and the drink mix is a good deal too. This is reasonable and so refreshing.

What's Cooking? - Panaché

When I spent the Summer in Provence at the Lacoste School of the Arts. There was but one Cafe in the tiny town. Usually during the hot summer days, the people would set out under the umbrellas on the Patio overlooking the Luberon Valley. The neighborhood dogs sat in front of the bar. Quite a sight.

The drink of choice in that part of the world, on a hot summer day was a cool refreshing Panaché (pan-uh-shay). I have tried to reproduce it here, with really poor results until just recently. In France, they use French style lemonade, like Lorina. If you can't find it, you can make a lovely one with a real lemonade like Minute Maid. Do not try it with lemonade mix or lemon lime soda. I've tried it and it is not the same.

Ingredients:

Chilled French Style Lemonade or Real Lemonade
Chilled Lager Style Beer

Fill glass with Equal Portions of each, no ice. Enjoy!

It is a little odd at first, but after a few, you will be wanting it every time it gets hot out. So refreshing! Cheers or should I say à votre santé