Classic Homemade Orange Soda

The orange soda/orangeade recipe used for this hub was adapted from one that appears in Van Gogh's Table at the Auberge Ravoux, for which I have provided a link for ordering a copy from Amazon below.

This hub is a nod to the final days of summer, which are still warm and active with children traveling door to door with their games. Orange soda is a refreshing drink to sip while watering your garden, writing letters, or sitting on your porch. This recipe is all natural.

Children can participate in making this drink by juicing the fruit with a manual juicer, and peeling the zest. Once it is made, it can be shared with cohousing neighbors at common meals, on porches, or while working on the latest jugsaw puzzle under construction.

Ingredients

10 Large juice Oranges

3 Medium Lemons

6 1/2 Cups cold water

2 Tablespoons clover honey

1/2 Vanilla bean, split and scraped (or 1 Teaspoon 100% pure Vanilla extract)

1 Bottle seltzer water (optional)

Ice

Recipe Steps

1. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from 2 oranges and 1 lemon.

2. Cut all the oranges and lemons in half, juice them, and set the juice aside.

3. Combine water, honey, and vanilla in a large pot. Add the citrus zest, and bring to a boil.

4. Once boiled, remove the pot from the heat. Allow it to cool completely, then add the orange and lemon juice.

5. Refrigerate overnight, then strain through a very fine sieve, cheesecloth, or a sifter.

6. Serve over ice cubes or add an ounce or two of cold seltzer water.

The scent of the water, honey, vanilla and fruit zest boiling is heavenly, of which my daughter agreed. She helped squeeze some of the orange halves, and to taste it before offering a pitcher of it as a beverage for this evening's community meal.

Copyright © 2010 by Seafarer Mama/Karen Szklany Gault