Sparkling Pear and Ginger Soda: My Hug in a Glass (Print Version)
A warm, personal recipe for a sparkling pear and ginger soda. This homemade soda syrup is perfect for cozy nights or whenever you need a little fizz in your life.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: Makes ~2 cups syrup (8-10 sodas)
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegan, Gluten-Free
# Ingredients:
→ For the Pear & Ginger Syrup (The Heart of the Matter)
01 -
3-4 medium ripe pears (like Bartlett or Anjou), chopped
02 -
1 (3-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
03 -
1 cup granulated sugar
04 -
1 cup water
→ For Assembling the Soda (The Fun Part)
05 -
2-3 cups chilled sparkling water or club soda
06 -
1-2 tsp fresh lemon juice (to taste)
→ For a Fancy Garnish (Totally Optional, But Is It Really?)
07 -
Fresh pear slices
08 -
Sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary
09 -
Candied ginger
# Instructions:
01 -
Wash your pears. You don’t even need to peel them—the skins have flavor and color! Just give them a good rinse, chop them up into roughly 1-inch chunks, and toss out the core and seeds. For the ginger, peel it (that spoon trick really works!) and slice it into thin coins. No need to be precious about it; it’s all getting strained out later.
02 -
In a medium saucepan, combine your sugar and water. Turn the heat to medium and stir it gently until the sugar completely dissolves. You’re basically making a simple syrup. Don't walk away from the stove right now!
03 -
Once your sugar is dissolved, gently add your chopped pears and sliced ginger to the saucepan. Give it a good stir to make sure everything is submerged and happy. Let it come to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
04 -
Turn the heat down to low, so it’s just barely simmering. Let it do its thing for about 20-25 minutes. The pears will get super soft and fall apart, and the liquid will take on a beautiful, pale golden hue. Stir occasionally.
05 -
Turn off the heat. Place a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl or a glass jar. Carefully pour the hot mixture through the sieve. Use the back of a spoon to press down on the solids to squeeze out every last drop of syrup. Let it cool completely. This is critical!
06 -
Fill a glass with ice. Pour in about 1/4 cup of your homemade pear and ginger syrup. Top it off with about 3/4 cup of sparkling water (pour it slowly!). Add a tiny squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Give it a gentle stir and garnish if desired.
# Notes:
01 -
Let the syrup cool completely. It mixes better and doesn't kill the fizz.
02 -
Store the syrup in a clean, airtight jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.
03 -
Try using different types of pears or even apples for a new flavor profile.
04 -
For a fancy touch, rim your glass with a little sugar before pouring the drink.
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Saucepan
02 -
fine-mesh sieve
03 -
knife
04 -
cutting board
05 -
glasses
06 -
airtight jar for storage.
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 145
Total Fat: 0.1g
Total Carbohydrate: 38g
Protein: 0.3g