Homemade Orange Cream Soda

Oh my goodness!!! This was such a fluke but honestly, it's one of my all-time favorite drink creations. It has no cream inside whatsoever I chose this name because of the use of vanilla cane sugar to give it that "creamy" element. When I first made this beverage, I was just playing around with flavors as I usually do. What I tasted blew me away and after several additional times making this, I decided to turn it into a blog post and share it with everyone.

This drink has such a rich flavor, which it gets from the cane sugar in the simple syrup. Ginger adds an extra kick and gives the drink a little extra zip at the very end. Sweet, fresh-squeezed orange juice gives this refreshing drink an over-the-top element that store-bought cream sodas simply cannot beat.

Some history behind cream soda

So as I was developing this recipe I got to thinking...what makes cream soda "creamy?" The thought behind this is the reason I chose to name this drink cream soda. As it turns out, most major manufacturers rely on vanilla flavoring to give the drink that specific flavor as opposed to cream but that isn't how it's always been. Read more about the history here: I found it to be quite interesting. https://www.bonappetit.com/story/cream-soda-history

Ingredients

• Cara Cara Oranges-typically these oranges are sweeter and more complex in flavor than a navel orange
• Vanilla Extract- this is the one ingredient that turns this drink into cream soda as vanilla is used in modern cream soda recipes. Do not forego this ingredient-it gives Homemade Orange Cream Soda that creamy taste
• Ginger-mint simple syrup-strong notes of ginger and mint pair expertly well with fresh-squeezed orange just and add to the overall flavor profile without overpowering any of the other flavors.
• Turbinado (raw cane sugar)-gives a more intense, sweet, and deep cane flavor over white granulated cane sugar
• Topo Chico-the strongest and most intense carbonated mineral water I've found thus far; perfect for creating homemade sodas

What kind of oranges should I use for Homemade Orange Cream Soda

Let's start off with the oranges...Cara Cara oranges are what I used when I first made this recipe and the result was mind-blowing. Those, however, are only in season for a period of time (usually January until April). They offer the sweetest juice and the flavor paired with the other ingredients yields an amazing outcome. A close second is the Valencia orange-these are great for juicing specifically.

Lastly, if neither of the aforementioned is available, the Navel orange can be used, just keep in mind that you may need to purchase more oranges for the amount of juice needed. Also, generally speaking, some oranges are more tart than others and this could adversely affect the level of sweetness. The key to making this homemade orange syrup is the fresh ingredients. They make a huge difference in the overall flavor profile of the drink. For this reason, I would not suggest using ground ginger, or mint in any form other than fresh, right on the stem. Furthermore, store-bought orange juice is not compatible with this recipe, use the real thing!

How to make the Simple Syrup

This can be done in 2 ways- quickly or over time. Infusing the ginger water over a period of about thirty minutes on high heat allows the flavors to develop, thus giving it the flavor profile it needs to come through in the drink. Alternatively, simmering the water on medium-low heat for about an hour allows the ginger flavor to become even bolder. If you really want to take in all of the ginger flavor and make the drink a bit spicier, go for the first method. For specific instructions, see numbered list below:

1. Roughly slice the ginger (you can leave the skin on or off as you will be removing the ginger from the water). Either way, make sure the ginger is rinsed thoroughly before this process so it can be rid of any dirt or debris.
2. Add the water and chopped ginger to a small saucepan and boil over medium-high heat for 15- 20 minutes. Keep a close eye on the water level during this time. Have a heat-safe measuring cup nearby- you’ll want to make sure you have one and a half cups of water after this process so you will need to measure accordingly.
3. Add in the mint and sugar once you've reached one and a half cups. You will continue to reduce the liquid until you reach one cup-this should take approximately 10 minutes, simmering on medium heat. The mixture should have thickened.
4. Remove the mint and ginger using a slotted spoon or strainer. Allow time to cool completely.

More about simple syrup

If you'd like to learn more about simple syrup including helpful tips, how to store it, and how long it can keep click the link here:

How to achieve a layered look for your Homemade Orange Cream Soda

If you like ice, add it first. Then add the fresh-squeezed orange juice, simple syrup, and lastly the topo chico. Don’t forget to stir everything together for that finishing touch. The end result is a refreshing, sweet, slightly spicy beverage that tastes just like cream soda except in a much improved homemade version.

If you make this recipe please rate and review on the recipe card below. I would love for you to tag me on Instagram @belovedplate https://www.instagram.com/belovedplate/

OTHER DELCIOUS HOMEMADE DRINKS

https://belovedplate.com/roasted-lavender-lemonade/

https://belovedplate.com/orange-hibiscus-cooler/

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