Italian Lemon Soda

A bright Italian-style lemon soda made with fresh lemon syrup, chilled sparkling water and plenty of ice.

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Homemade lemon soda is about balancing tart citrus with just enough sweetness. Making a quick syrup first prevents gritty sugar from settling in the bottom of the glass.

Ingredients

• 180 ml fresh lemon juice
• 2 lemons (zest from 1 and thin slices from 1)
• 120 g caster sugar
• 120 ml water (for syrup)
• 1 litre chilled sparkling water
• 4 cups ice cubes
• 12 fresh mint (leaves, optional)
• 1 fine sea salt (tiny pinch)

Step-by-step method

1. Use a vegetable peeler or fine grater to remove the yellow zest from one lemon, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
2. Put the sugar, still water and lemon zest in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely, then simmer for 1 minute.
3. Remove the syrup from the heat and cool for 10 minutes. Strain out the zest, then stir in the fresh lemon juice and a tiny pinch of salt.
4. Chill the lemon syrup thoroughly if time allows. Cold syrup helps the drink stay fizzy because less ice melts when the soda is assembled.
5. Fill six glasses generously with ice. Divide the lemon syrup between the glasses, using a little less at first if you prefer a sharper drink.
6. Top each glass slowly with chilled sparkling water and stir once or twice with a long spoon so you do not knock out too much carbonation.
7. Taste and adjust with extra syrup or sparkling water. Garnish with lemon slices and mint and serve immediately while the soda is lively and cold.