Cucumber mint fizz to frosted fusion: Quench your thirst with these refreshing summer soda recipes

Combined with lemons, spices and other ingredients, sodas make for perfect summer drinks. A few sips of this aerated beverage can give you a blast of freshness in sweltering heat like this one.

Sodas have been ruling the hearts of Indians for decades now, be it in the form of Goti Soda or Nimbu Soda. Besides being a salivating drink, sodas are also known to offer relief from heat-associated minor ailments like nausea, indigestion and dehydration. Further, most sodas also contain caffeine, giving the mind the needed kick.

As the Mumbai heat continues to melt us, it is the perfect season to embrace the freshness of chilled sodas. Cool down with these special soda-based summer drink recipes that you can easily make at home.

Watermelon Spritzer
This drink is a blend of all fresh ingredients. It is versatile, hydrating, and a great way to enjoy the natural sweetness of watermelon - a summer fruit, in fizzy form.

Ingredients:
Fresh watermelon chunks, seeded - 2 cups
Fresh cilantro, finely chopped - 2 tbsp
Melon syrup - 2 tbsp
Chaat masala -1 tsp
Topu soda - 1 cup

Method:
1. Cut the watermelon into chunks, and remove all the seeds.
2. Place the watermelon chunks in a blender and blend until smooth to create a watermelon puree.
3. In a large pitcher, combine the watermelon puree and melon syrup. Stir well to ensure the syrup is evenly distributed.
4. Now add the chaat masala to the mixture and stir well. This will give the drink a tangy, spicy kick.
5. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to allow the flavours to meld together.
6. Fill serving glasses halfway with the chilled watermelon mixture. Top off each glass with Topu soda stirring gently to combine.
7. Garnish each glass with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro for a fresh, herbal note.
8. Serve immediately and enjoy this refreshing and unique drink.

Recipe by Sunny Michael D'Souza, head mixologist, Charlee

Frosted fusion
This mojito features grapes that add a unique twist to the classic mocktail, introducing a slightly sweeter and more fruity flavour profile.

Ingredients:
Lime wedges - 3-4
White sugar or simple syrup - 10 ml
Club soda
Ice cubes
Fresh grapes (for garnishing)
Fresh mint leaves (for garnishing)

Method:
1. Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake
2. Serve it in a tall glass
3. Garnish with fresh grapes and mint

Recipe by Thai Naam, Mumbai

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The Secret Samurai
"In crafting the Secret Samurai, we aimed to reimagine the classic summer beverage by infusing it with distinctive flavours and a touch of intrigue," says Anandha Krishnan, mixologist at Lucky Chan. "At its core lies our house-made yuzu soda, a refreshing and vibrant base that sets the stage for an unforgettable taste experience. What truly sets this mocktail apart is the ingenious blend of spices, carefully selected to elevate its flavour profile to new heights."

Ingredients:
Galangal syrup - 30 ml
Yuzu soda - 90 ml
Whole red chilli - 1
Pineapple - 1 slice

Method:
1. Combine all the ingredients gently in a glass.
2. Garnish with a whole red chilli and a slice of pineapple on the rim.

Recipe by Lucky Chan, Dim Sum and Sushi Parlour

Watermelon and pomegranate soda

This refreshing drink is a potent blend of antioxidants with just the right amount of fizz to help you beat the heat. The combination of watermelon and pomegranate juices provides a vibrant, well-balanced flavour, enhanced by a hint of lime and mint. The presentation, with watermelon scoops and a mint sprig garnish, adds a touch of elegance, making it not only delicious but visually appealing.

Ingredients:
Watermelon juice - 60 ml
Pomegranate juice - 60 ml
Lime juice - 10 ml
A pinch of Himalayan salt
Mint leaves - 4-5
Soda
Watermelon scoop balls - 4-5

Method:
1. Pour watermelon and pomegranate juice into a shaker.
2. Add lime juice and a pinch of Himalayan salt.
3. Add smashed mint leaves.
4. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well.
5. Fine strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with three ice cubes.
6. Top with soda.
7. Garnish with watermelon scoops on a skewer and a fresh sprig of mint.

Recipe by mixologist Sagar Pathak, Taj PRESIDENT, IHCL SELEQTIONS

Cranberry and Kokum Spritzer
Cranberry and kokum spritzers are refreshing, flavourful beverages that deliver a delightful tangy and slightly sour taste, perfect for quenching your thirst on hot days. Bursting with antioxidants and essential nutrients, these spritzers not only taste amazing but also offer a healthy hydration option.

Ingredients:
Cranberry juice - 1 cup
Kokum agal (kokum concentrate) - 1/4 cup
Jal jeera powder - 1/2 tsp
Fresh lime juice - 1 tbsp
Soda water (to top up)
Fresh lemon slices for garnish
Ice cubes

Method:
1. In a small bowl, dilute the kokum agal with a little water to make it easier to mix into the spritzer.
2. In a pitcher or large mixing glass, combine the cranberry juice, diluted kokum agal, jal jeera powder, and fresh lime juice. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
3. Fill serving glasses with ice cubes to chill the drink and keep it refreshing.
4. Pour the prepared cranberry and kokum mixture into each serving glass, filling them about halfway.
5. Pour soda water into each glass to top up, giving it a nice fizz and diluting the flavours slightly. Stir gently to combine.
6. Place a fresh lemon slice on the rim of each glass for a decorative touch and an extra hint of citrus aroma.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing tangy flavour of the Cranberry and Kokum Spritzer.

Recipe by Suraj Bhosale, Bartender at Blah!

Also Read: Asian Mango to Casareccia Salad: Give yourself a refreshing boost, try these summer salads at home

Summer Delight (Mango & Watermelon Soda)
Combining fresh mango and watermelon with thyme, pink salt, lime, and soda creates a unique mocktail bursting with vibrant flavours and refreshing notes. The sweetness of the mango and watermelon is balanced by the tanginess of lime, while the hint of thyme adds a subtle herbaceous undertone. The addition of pink salt elevates the flavours and adds a touch of complexity, making each sip a delightful experience that perfectly captures the essence of summer.

Ingredients:
Ripe mango chunks - 100 ml
Fresh watermelon cubes - 100 ml
Juice of 1/4 lime
Pinch of Himalayan pink salt
A few sprigs of thyme
Sparkling water, chilled

Method:
1. Peel and chop the ripe mango into small chunks, discarding the seed.
2. Cut the watermelon into cubes, removing the rind.
3. In a cocktail shaker or a tall glass, add the mango chunks and watermelon cubes.
4. Squeeze the juice of lime over the fruits.
5. Sprinkle a pinch of Himalayan pink salt over the fruits.
6. Pluck a few thyme leaves from the sprigs and add them to the fruits. Reserve some sprigs for garnish.
7. Gently muddle the fruits, lime juice, salt, and thyme together using a muddler or the back of a spoon. This will release the juices and flavours from the fruits and herbs.
8. Fill the glass with ice cubes to the top.
9. Pour the muddled fruit mixture into the glass, filling it halfway.
10. Slowly pour chilled sparkling water into the glass until it reaches the top. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.
11. Garnish the mocktail with a sprig of fresh thyme for an aromatic touch.
12. Optionally, you can add additional mango or watermelon slices for a decorative presentation.
13. Serve immediately while it's cold and refreshing, and enjoy the burst of fruity flavours with every sip.

Recipe by Karan Sampat from Nosh & Beyond, Mumbai

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Main Toh Superman
A colourful and refreshing explosion of flavour in every sip, this calming mocktail features a mixture of sugar, lime, chilled strawberries, and mango punch.

Ingredients:
Lime juice - 15 ml
Sugar syrup - 20 ml
Blue curacao - 15 ml
Strawberry Popper - 35 gms
Mango Popper - 35 gms
Soda
Sprite
Ice - 100 gms

Method:
1. Mix all the ingredients and serve in a hurricane glass.
2. Garnish with a dehydrated orange slice, Mango and Strawberry poppers

Recipe by Cedrik Rodrigues, Beverage Manager, Hitchki Resto Bar

Pineapple Coconut Cooler
Combining tropical flavours, this mocktail uses pineapple juice and tender coconut water with soda to create a drink reminiscent of a pina colada but with a fizzy twist. The addition of lime zest enhances the tropical experience with a refreshing citrus note.

Ingredients:
Pineapple juice - 1/2 cup
Lime juice - 1 tsp
Lime zest - 1 tsp
Ice cubes
Tender coconut water
Club Soda

Method:
1. Combine pineapple juice, lime juice, and lime zest in a shaker with ice and shake well.
2. Strain into a glass filled with ice cubes.
3. Top with coconut water and club soda
4. Garnish with a pineapple slice and a twist of lime zest.

Recipe by Sasha Vanjour, mixologist, Vaum Tonics