Get Creative with Unique Soft Drink Mixing Ideas
Tired of drinking the same old sodas? Mixing up creative combinations of soft drinks can give your tastebuds an exciting new experience. Blending flavors like citrus, cola, ginger ale and more can produce refreshing fusion beverages perfect for parties or everyday enjoyment.
The next time you host friends or just want to drink outside the can, don’t settle for just pouring soda over ice. With these fun mixing suggestions and recipes, you can liven up your soft drinks and tantalize your taste buds.
Tips for Mixing Soft Drinks
Making your own mixed soda drinks is easy and only limited by your imagination. Here are some useful tips:
- Use roughly equal parts of each soda, adjust to taste.
- Start with small pours until you achieve the desired flavor balance.
- Pour over plenty of ice for chilling and dilution as ice melts.
- Gently stir to integrate flavors instead of shaking carbonation away.
- Garnish mixed sodas with lemon, lime, berries or other fruits.
- Splash in a little juice like orange, cranberry or pineapple.
- Sweeten homemade mixes with simple syrup if needed.
Fruity Soda Mixes
The sweet fruity flavors of sodas like Fanta, Sunkist and Sprite lend themselves beautifully to mixing. Blend them with other fruit-flavored soft drinks or juices for a refreshing homemade creation.
Orange Soda Mixed Drinks
Bright, tangy orange soda like Sunkist, Fanta or Crush mixes deliciously with other fruit flavors. Try mixing it with:
- Lemon-lime soda - For a creamsicle flavor
- Pineapple juice - For a tropical twist
- Cherry soda - For a citrus-cherry explosion
- Strawberry soda - For a creamy, neon concoction
Grape Soda Combos
The sweet grape notes of sodas like Crush, Fanta or Sunkist pair perfectly with these fruity partners:
- Cherry soda - For a “grape jelly” flavor
- Pomegranate juice - For a grape-berry infusion
- Peach soda - For a light, juicy blend
- Vanilla soda - For a “grape bubblegum” treat
Mixing Cream Sodas
The creamy sweetness of vanilla cream sodas meshes seamlessly with fruit sodas like:
- Orange soda - Evokes dreamsicle flavor
- Strawberry soda - Like strawberry shortcake
- Root beer - For a “float” flavored drink
- Pineapple juice - For a tropical twist
Cola Mixed Drink Recipes
Cola sodas like Coke and Pepsi can be livened up by blending with ginger ale, lemon-lime soda or juices. Try these combinations:
Rum and Cola
The classic cocktail mixer, spiked rum and cola never goes out of style. Use 1 part rum to 3 parts cola. Garnish with lime.
Cuba Libre
Similar to rum and cola but with an extra splash of lime juice. Mix rum, cola and fresh lime juice over ice.
Pepsi and Cherry Soda
The cherry sweetness beautiful balances the cola’s flavor. Adjust ratios to taste preference.
Coke and Orange Juice
This tastes like an orange cream soda float. Use equal parts Coke and OJ.
Dr. Pepper and Amaretto
For an “almond cola” taste, mix Dr. Pepper with amaretto liqueur to taste.
Ginger Ale Mixed Drinks
Spicy ginger ale sodas add a punch of flavor when blended with fruity or citrus companions. Favorite combinations include:
Ginger Ale and Cranberry Juice
This is a perfect fall or winter cocktail, reminiscent of cranberry sauce flavor.
Canada Dry and Orange Juice
For a morning pick-me-up, mix ginger ale with orange juice and a splash of grenadine.
Ginger Ale and Grapefruit Juice
The grapefruit’s tartness beautifully balances the ginger ale’s bite.
Ginger Beer Moscow Mule
A classic cocktail made by mixing ginger beer, vodka and lime juice.
More Unique Soda Mixing Ideas to Try
Don’t limit yourself to the usual mixing suspects. Get creative with offbeat combinations like:
Grape Soda and Cream Soda
This tastes like a “grape ice cream float” in drinkable form.
Citrus Sodas and Sprite
Create your own “citrus soda” by blending lemon-lime Sprite with orange or grapefruit soda.
Dr. Pepper and Cream Soda
Mixing these sweet sodas makes a wonderful caramel/vanilla/cherry concoction.
Coffee Soda and Cola
The flavors of coffee and cola are strangely complementary. Use a 60-40 cola to coffee ratio.
Root Beer and Orange Soda
This sweet combination tastes like a root beer creamsicle.
Lemon-Lime Soda with Berry Syrup
Brighten Sprite or 7-Up by adding a splash of raspberry, strawberry or blueberry syrup.
Elevate Your At-Home Mixed Sodas
Take your home mixed soda creations to the next level with these suggestions:
Infused Syrups
Steeping fruits, herbs or spices in simple syrup adds unique flavor dimensions to sodas. Try combinations like:
- Pineapple sage syrup
- Raspberry basil syrup
- Peach rosemary syrup
- Strawberry jalapeno syrup
Fresh Squeezed Juices
For the freshest flavor, squeeze juices from fresh citrus, pomegranates, grapes, apples or other fruits instead of using pre-made juices.
Quality Liqueurs
Splash high-end bourbons, spiced rums, or orange liqueurs into soda combos instead of bottom-shelf well options.
Herbal Simple Syrups
Simple syrup made by steeping herbs like rosemary, basil, sage or thyme can add nuanced flavors.
Premium Mixers
Artisanal sodas, ginger beers, tonics and sparkling juices make sophisticated additions.
Fresh Herbs & Citrus
Garnish mixed sodas with sprigs of fresh mint, basil, slices of grapefruit, wedges of lime, or other fresh ingredients.
Serving Mixed Soft Drinks at Parties
Mixed sodas make fun signature drinks for celebrations and parties. Here’s how to take your combinations to the next level for guests:
- Set up a build-your-own mixed soda bar so guests can get creative.
- Craft a featured mixed soda cocktail like ginger ale and cranberry juice.
- Infuse your own custom flavored sodas beforehand and allow to chill.
- Garnish drinks with colorful fruits, herbs and paper straws.
- Provide a mix of sodas - cola, lemon-lime, ginger ale, orange, etc.
- Include a mocktail station for virgin soda combos.
- Serve in fun glassware like unique pint glasses or mason jars.
Benefits of Homemade Mixed Sodas
While store-bought sodas rely heavily on syrups and artificial ingredients, crafting your own mixed soft drink beverages at home offers advantages like:
- Controlling sweetness level and calories
- No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
- More fresh-squeezed fruit juices for nutrients
- Ability to use quality liquors and liqueurs
- Lower cost compared to premixed cocktails
- Endless flavor combinations to discover
So the next time you want to quench your thirst, don't just grab a can of soda from the fridge. Get creative with unique soft drink mixing ideas and enjoy a deliciously fun new concoction!
FAQs
What are some good sodas to mix together?
Great soda combinations are fruity sodas like orange and grape, colas with lemon-lime sodas or juices, ginger ale with cranberry juice, cream sodas with fruit sodas, and citrus sodas with Sprite.
What can you mix with soda besides alcohol?
Try mixing sodas with fruit juices like orange, cranberry, pineapple, or grapefruit juice. Other options include mixing sodas with syrups, fresh herbs, liqueurs, creamers, or premium mixers.
What soda goes well with rum?
Cola is the most popular soda to mix with rum. But rum also combines tastily with ginger beer, Dr Pepper, orange soda, grape soda, or lemon-lime sodas.
How do you make flat soda fizzy again?
To re-carbonate flat soda, combine 1 tsp baking soda with 2 tbsp of citric acid or lemon juice in the soda bottle. Cap and shake well. The chemical reaction will make the soda fizzy again.
What's the best way to mix sodas for parties?
Set up a self-serve soda bar so guests can mix their own combinations. Provide a variety of sodas, juices, garnishes and glassware. Or create a signature mixed soda cocktail to serve everyone.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Add Comment