Description
Homemade dandelion soda sparkles with wild botanical charm, offering a refreshing twist on traditional beverages. Spring’s golden blossoms blend into a crisp, naturally sweet drink that connects foragers with nature’s delightful flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Dandelion Soda Recipe Ingredients:
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh dandelion petals (green parts removed)
- ½ gallon (1.89 liters) water
Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ cup sugar (white or cane)
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 orange (optional, for a fruity twist)
Additional Flavor and Seasoning:
- 1 small piece of fresh ginger (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Gather pristine, chemical-free dandelion blossoms from an untouched landscape, meticulously separating vibrant yellow petals from bitter green bases.
- Create a flavor-infused liquid base by gently simmering water and dissolving sugar, then removing from heat to incorporate dandelion petals, citrusy lemon elements, bright orange essence, zesty ginger, and a whisper of sea salt.
- Allow the aromatic concoction to cool naturally to ambient temperature, then transfer into a sanitized glass vessel, draping with a breathable cloth or filter secured by an elastic band.
- Position the mixture in a consistent temperature zone between 65-75 degrees fahrenheit, permitting natural fermentation to develop characteristic effervescence and tangy undertones over 2-3 day period.
- Monitor the brewing process by sampling periodically, detecting subtle carbonation and emerging sour notes as indicators of readiness.
- Once achieving desired fermentation profile, carefully strain the liquid through a fine mesh, decanting into sterilized swing-top or screw-cap glass containers.
- Refrigerate the crafted beverage, maintaining optimal freshness for approximately one week, exercising caution when opening due to potential internal pressure buildup from natural carbonation.
- Serve chilled, preferably over crystalline ice cubes, to maximize the delicate, wild-harvested flavor profile.
Notes
- Choose pesticide-free locations when harvesting dandelion flowers to ensure a clean, safe ingredient.
- Remove green bases carefully as they introduce unwanted bitterness to the final soda.
- Adjust sugar levels based on personal sweetness preference, understanding that some fermentation will consume sugar.
- Maintain consistent room temperature during fermentation to support proper wild yeast development and carbonation.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 days
- Category: Drinks, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg