10+ Soft Drinks Recipes to Refresh Your Day Easily

10+ Soft Drinks Recipes to Refresh Your Day Easily

ByKnow Recipes Team Reading Time: 9 minutes

Soft drinks are honestly one of the most enjoyable ways to treat yourself to something cold and tasty—no alcohol required. When you make your own at home, you get to pick the flavors and sweetness level.

It’s surprisingly easy to whip up delicious drinks with just a few basics like flavored syrups, seltzer, or fruit juices.

Close-up view of several colorful soft drinks in clear glasses on a white marble countertop.

Maybe you want something bubbly, or you’re in the mood for something smooth. Soft drink recipes give you a lot of options. No need for fancy gadgets or obscure ingredients.

Try out different combos—there’s really no wrong way to do it, and it’s fun for any season or get-together.

Ingredients

  • Flavored syrup (various types)
  • Cold seltzer or carbonated water
  • Ice
  • Fruit juices (optional)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Mix 2 to 4 tablespoons of flavored syrup with 1 cup of cold seltzer.
  2. Add ice to your glass.
  3. Pour the syrup and seltzer mixture over the ice.
  4. Stir gently before drinking.

1) Classic Homemade Lemonade

Close-up of a glass of homemade lemonade with lemon slices and mint leaves on a white marble countertop.

If you’ve never made lemonade from scratch, you’re missing out. Squeeze fresh lemons for that bright, tangy punch.

Dissolve sugar in a little water—warming it helps, but don’t let it get too hot. Let it cool off before you mix it in.

Add the lemon juice and sweetened water together. Taste as you go, and pour in more cold water if it’s too strong.

Serve it over ice. That’s basically summer in a glass.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 to 5 cups cold water
  • Ice cubes

Cooking Instructions

  1. Combine sugar and 1 cup water in a pot.
  2. Heat to about 120°F (49°C) until sugar dissolves.
  3. Let syrup cool.
  4. Mix lemon juice and syrup in a pitcher.
  5. Add 3 to 4 cups cold water, stir well.
  6. Serve over ice.

For more details, see this old-fashioned lemonade recipe.

2) Raspberry Vanilla Soda

Close-up of a glass of raspberry vanilla soda with fresh raspberries and a vanilla bean on a white marble countertop.

Raspberry vanilla soda feels like a treat you’d find at a fancy café, but it’s super easy to make at home. The fresh raspberries and vanilla are a killer combo.

Start by making a raspberry syrup with water, sugar, and raspberries. Toss in some vanilla—it adds a cozy vibe.

Mix your syrup with club soda. Serve it over ice and you’ve got something special.

You can play around with the amount of vanilla or how sweet you want it. No need to be exact; just taste as you go.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 12 oz bag frozen raspberries
  • ½ vanilla bean, split lengthwise
  • Club soda

Cooking Instructions

  1. Combine water, sugar, raspberries, and vanilla bean in a saucepan.
  2. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and strain the syrup into a jar. Let it cool.
  4. Pour syrup over ice and top with club soda.
  5. Stir gently and enjoy your raspberry vanilla soda!

3) Peach and Strawberry Soda

Close-up of two soft drinks, one peach soda and one strawberry soda, on a white marble countertop.

If you’ve got peaches and strawberries, you can make this soda in no time. It’s sweet, a little tangy, and super refreshing.

Make a simple syrup first—just sugar and water. Then blend that with your fruit until it’s totally smooth.

Add some lemon juice or zest for a bit of zing. Pour the fruit mixture into a glass with ice.

Top it off with sparkling water. Drop in a few fresh berries or peach slices if you’re feeling fancy.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup peaches (fresh or thawed, no sugar added)
  • 1 cup strawberries
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Sparkling water
  • Ice

Cooking Instructions

  1. Combine water and sugar in a pot. Heat on medium until sugar dissolves (about 5 minutes). Let cool.
  2. In a blender, mix syrup, peaches, strawberries, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
  3. Fill a glass with ice. Pour in the fruit syrup mixture.
  4. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
  5. Garnish with fruit if you like before serving.

For more details, see this Peach and Strawberry Soda recipe.

4) Ginger Lime Mint Soda

Close-up of a glass of ginger lime mint soda with lime slices and mint leaves on a white marble countertop.

Ginger lime mint soda is one of those drinks that wakes you right up. It’s got a little spice, tartness, and cooling mint all in one glass.

Boil ginger in water for about 10 minutes to get that flavor going. Strain it, then add lime juice, mint, and your sweetener of choice.

Let it chill. When you’re ready, pour in sparkling water for bubbles.

You can drink it cold over ice or even warm with hot water if you’re into that. It’s also a killer mixer for cocktails.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2-inch fresh ginger, sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1-2 tablespoons sugar or honey
  • 1 cup sparkling water

Cooking Instructions

  1. Boil water with ginger slices for 10 minutes.
  2. Strain the ginger water into a pitcher.
  3. Add lime juice, mint leaves, and sweetener. Stir well.
  4. Let it cool or chill in the fridge.
  5. Pour sparkling water over the mix before serving.
  6. Garnish with mint sprigs and lime slices if you like.

5) Elderflower Cordial Soda

Close-up of a glass of elderflower cordial soda with bubbles and garnished with elderflower blossoms and a lemon slice on a white marble countertop.

Elderflower cordial soda is light, floral, and kind of magical. If you can get your hands on fresh elderflowers, you’re in for a treat.

Make the cordial by simmering elderflower heads, water, sugar, and lemons. Strain it and chill.

To serve, mix your cordial with cold soda water. Add ice and maybe a lemon or cucumber slice if you want to dress it up.

Make sure you gently shake and rinse the elderflowers first—nobody wants a bug in their drink.

Ingredients

  • Fresh elderflower heads
  • Water
  • Sugar
  • Lemons
  • Soda water
  • Ice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Shake and rinse elderflower heads under cold water.
  2. Boil water and dissolve sugar in it.
  3. Add elderflowers and sliced lemons to the sugar water.
  4. Let the mixture cool, then strain out solids.
  5. Refrigerate the cordial until cold.
  6. Mix cordial with soda water before serving.
  7. Add ice or lemon slices if you like.

More detail on elderflower cordial can be found at Elderflower Cordial – How to Make This Easy Homemade Recipe.

6) Pomegranate Mojito Mocktail

Close-up of a pomegranate mojito mocktail in a clear glass with pomegranate seeds, mint leaves, and ice on a white marble countertop.

Pomegranate mojito mocktail is fruity, minty, and super easy to throw together. You get tart lime, sweet pomegranate juice, and fresh mint all in one glass.

Muddle the mint and lime in your glass. Pour in the pomegranate juice.

Fill the glass with ice, then top with soda water or ginger ale. Stir gently.

Garnish with extra mint or lime if you’re feeling it.

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup pomegranate juice
  • Half a lime, cut into wedges
  • 6-8 fresh mint leaves
  • 1 cup soda water or ginger ale

Cooking Instructions

  1. Muddle the mint leaves and lime wedges in a glass.
  2. Add pomegranate juice.
  3. Fill the glass with ice.
  4. Pour soda water or ginger ale on top.
  5. Stir gently and garnish with extra mint or lime slices.

Learn more at Pomegranate Mojito Mocktails.

7) Cucumber and Mint Sparkler

Close-up of two glasses with cucumber and mint sparkling soft drinks on a white marble countertop.

Cucumber and mint sparkler is the definition of fresh. The cucumber and mint together are light, crisp, and ridiculously refreshing.

Muddle cucumber and mint in your glass or pitcher. Squeeze in lime juice for a little tang.

Add simple syrup if you want a touch of sweetness. Toss in a jalapeño slice if you’re feeling bold.

Fill with ice. Pour in sparkling water, stir, and you’re done.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cucumber, sliced
  • A handful of fresh mint leaves
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 tbsp simple syrup (optional)
  • 1 jalapeño slice (optional)
  • 1 cup sparkling water
  • Ice cubes

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Muddle cucumber slices and mint leaves in a glass or pitcher.
  2. Add lime juice and simple syrup if using.
  3. Mix in jalapeño slice if you want a little spice.
  4. Fill the glass with ice cubes.
  5. Pour sparkling water over the mixture.
  6. Stir gently and serve immediately.

For more ideas, see the Cucumber and Mint Sparkler recipe.

8) Rhubarb Cordial Fizz

Close-up of a glass of pink rhubarb cordial fizz with bubbles on a white marble countertop against a bright neutral background.

Rhubarb cordial fizz has a tangy bite and a gorgeous pink color. You’ll make a rhubarb syrup first—just rhubarb, water, and sugar.

Simmer until the rhubarb softens and the sugar dissolves. Strain and let it cool.

Pour about an ounce of syrup into your glass. Add sparkling water or sparkling wine.

Stir gently. Serve it chilled for the best flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chopped rhubarb
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • Sparkling water or sparkling wine

Cooking Instructions

  1. Combine rhubarb, water, and sugar in a pot.
  2. Heat over medium heat (about 220°F / 104°C) until rhubarb softens and sugar dissolves.
  3. Strain the syrup and let it cool.
  4. Pour 1 ounce of syrup into a glass.
  5. Add sparkling water or wine and stir gently.
  6. Serve chilled.

For more ideas, check this rhubarb fizz recipe here.

9) Mulled Apple Juice (Non-Alcoholic)

Close-up of a glass of mulled apple juice with apple slices and cinnamon sticks on a white marble countertop.

Mulled apple juice hits the spot on a chilly day. You just simmer apple juice with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and a little orange peel.

That’s it—no alcohol, just cozy, spiced goodness. I like using fresh apple cider, but honestly, any good apple juice works.

Toss in star anise or a couple of orange slices if you want to amp up the flavor. It only takes about 15 minutes on the stove, so you don’t have to wait long.

Ingredients

  • 1 liter apple juice or fresh apple cider
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 5 cloves
  • 1 star anise (optional)
  • Peel of 1 orange
  • 1-2 orange slices (optional)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Pour the apple juice into a pot.
  2. Add cinnamon, cloves, star anise, orange peel, and slices.
  3. Heat gently and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Keep the temperature low, around 160°F (70°C).
  5. Strain out the spices before serving warm.

10) Dirty Cola with a Twist

Close-up of a glass of dark cola with ice cubes and a twist of citrus peel on a white marble countertop.

Dirty cola gets a fun upgrade with lime and coconut creamer. Trust me, it’s not your average soda.

First, fill a glass with ice and pour in your favorite cola. Squeeze in some lime juice for a zingy, citrus punch.

Add a splash of coconut creamer. It makes everything creamy and smooth—almost like dessert in a glass.

Give it a gentle stir. Serve cold, and you’ve got a refreshing drink that’s surprisingly easy to whip up.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cola
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • 2 tablespoons coconut creamer
  • Ice cubes

Cooking Instructions

  1. Toss a handful of ice cubes into a glass.

  2. Pour in 1 cup of cola right over the ice.

  3. Squeeze half a lime and let the juice drip into the glass.

  4. Add 2 tablespoons of coconut creamer.

  5. Give everything a gentle stir.

  6. Serve it up right away. Enjoy your Dirty Cola with a Twist—seriously, it’s pretty great.

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