A pepper soda is a soda flavored with multiple fruits and spices. This recipe does not contain peppers; rather, the name derives from Dr. Pepper. This recipe has been modified from one by Youtube channel xoxo cooks.
Note that consuming high levels of caffeine can be very dangerous. If you are scaling the recipe up or down, make sure you scale the caffeine accordingly so that the per-serving caffeine amount stays the same or is lower. Absolutely do not use more than triple the listed proportion of caffeine.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 6 prunes
- 6 cubes of ginger that are ¼ in (0.67 cm) in width
- 20 pitted frozen cherries
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 orange, zested
- 8 mint leaves
- 1 tsp (5 ml) anise seed or 2 star anise pods
- 1 tsp (5 ml) allspice
- 1 tsp (5 ml) cloves
- 1 tsp (5 ml) coriander seed
- 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120 ml) white sugar
- 10 mg caffeine (optional)
- Carbonated water, as needed
Procedure
- Combine the water, prunes, ginger, cherries, zest, mint, anise, allspice, cloves, coriander, vanilla, and sugar in a saucepan.
- Boil the mixture until it becomes a thick syrup.
- Strain the syrup, discarding the solids, and stir in the caffeine. You should have about 5 oz (150 ml) syrup.
- To make the finished soda, mix 1 volume of syrup with 5 volumes of sparkling water.
Notes, tips, and variations
- Use water from a carbonating machine or a brand of pure carbonated water such as Polar Original Sparkling Water, Great Value Seltzer Water, or Signature Select Seltzer Water. Do not use a brand of mineral water such as Perrier, San Pellegrino, or Mineragua because the added minerals will ruin the taste. Avoid flavored sparkling water such as La Croix or Spindrift because the preexisting fruit flavors will ruin the drink.