Homemade Lime Soda Recipe
This refreshing lime soda is cold, fizzy, and really easy to make with homemade syrup and sparkling water. Keep a jar of the syrup in the fridge and you can make a refreshing glass of soda in minutes.
About this soda
This lime syrup soda is made with my homemade lime syrup and sparkling water. The lime syrup gives you the sweetness and fresh lime flavor, while the sparkling water adds all the fizz.
It’s important to use very cold sparkling water and add it right before serving. Pour it slowly down the side of the glass and stir only briefly to keep as much fizz as possible.
You can add more lime syrup if you like a sweeter, stronger drink, or more sparkling water if you want something lighter. I usually start with a spoonful or two per glass and adjust from there.
If you like this drink, make sure to try my ginger soda next.
Praew ♡
Learn Thai cooking step by step
My cookbook is a combination of authentic Thai recipes and Western dishes cooked with Thai flavors and ingredients. It’s a great starting point if you’re new to Thai cooking or want to cook it more often.
Ingredient notes & substitutes
You can find everything at Asian grocery stores or markets. Head to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
For making the syrup
- Limes: Use fresh limes and make sure they’re juicy. You’ll use both the zest and juice for the best lime flavor.
- Sugar: Regular white sugar works best here because it keeps the syrup light and lets the lime flavor come through.
- Water: Regular drinking water is fine.
For making the lime soda
- Sparkling water: Use it very cold and preferably well carbonated.
- Mint (optional): A few fresh mint leaves make a nice garnish.
- Lemon (optional): A small lemon slice or wedge works as an extra garnish and to add some lemon flavor.
How to make lime syrup soda
Make the syrup
- Zest the limes. Finely zest the limes, taking only the green outer skin. Be careful not to press too hard, as the white pith underneath is bitter.
- Let the zest and sugar sit. Add the lime zest and sugar to a small saucepan and mix well. Let them sit for a few minutes so the sugar can draw out the fragrant oils from the zest.
- Add the water. Pour the water into the saucepan and stir everything together.
- Add the lime juice and simmer. Squeeze the fresh lime juice into the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Strain and cool. Remove from the heat and strain out the lime zest. Let the syrup cool completely before transferring it to a clean jar or bottle.
Make the soda
- Fill the glass with ice. Add plenty of ice to a glass so the drink stays cold.
- Add the lime syrup. Pour in 1–2 tablespoons of lime syrup, depending on how sweet and limey you like your drink.
- Add the sparkling water. Slowly pour in very cold sparkling water. Pouring it gently helps keep the bubbles in the drink.
- Stir and garnish. Give it a quick, gentle stir, then add a lime slice and a few mint leaves if you like. Serve right away.
How to store
- Lime syrup: Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a clean, airtight jar or bottle. Keep refrigerated and use within 2 weeks.
- Lime soda: Make it fresh when you’re ready to drink it. The sparkling water will lose its fizz if you store it, so don’t make the finished drink ahead of time.
Homemade Lime Soda Recipe
Equipment
- Microplane or fine grater for zesting
- Small saucepan
- Fine mesh strainer
- Glass for serving
Ingredients
For the syrup
- 1 lime zest, finely grated; zest 1 lime
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
For the soda
- 1 cup crushed ice, or as needed to fill your glass
- 2 tbsp lime syrup
- sparkling water, as needed to fill the glass
Instructions
Make the syrup
- Zest the limes: Finely zest the limes, taking only the green outer skin and avoiding the white pith underneath. Don’t press too hard when zesting, as the pith is bitter.
- Mix the zest and sugar: Add the lime zest and sugar to a small saucepan and stir well. Let them sit for a few minutes.
- Add the water: Pour the water into the saucepan and stir to combine.
- Add the lime juice and simmer: Squeeze the fresh lime juice into the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Strain and cool: Remove from the heat and strain out the lime zest.
Make the soda
- Fill the glass with ice: Add plenty of ice to a glass so the drink stays cold.
- Add the lime syrup: Pour in 1–2 tablespoons of lime syrup, depending on how sweet and limey you like your drink.
- Add the sparkling water: Slowly pour in very cold sparkling water. Pour it gently to help keep as much fizz as possible.
- Stir and garnish: Give the drink a quick, gentle stir. Add a lime slice and a few fresh mint leaves (optional), and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.