Blood Orange Soda

This Blood Orange Soda is naturally fizzy, refreshing, and great for your gut as it is packed with probiotics, thanks to the added ginger bug used for the fermentation! The soda has that perfect balance of sweet, tart, and just a little tangy and is the perfect refreshment on a sunny spring day.

❤️Why you will love this recipe

• Naturally Carbonated: You won't want store-bought sodas anymore once you start making your own fizzy drinks.
• Probiotic-Rich: Thanks to the natural fermentation, this soda is loaded with beneficial bacteria.
• Super Easy to Make: Making your own soda is much easier than it might sound. Just mix, bottle, let it ferment, and enjoy!

If you enjoy making this soda you should also try my raspberry ginger soda?

🥣Equipment

Here is what you will need to make fermented soda.

• Glass Jar or Bottle: A flip-top bottle is best for trapping carbonation, but any airtight glass bottle or jar will work.
• Big Measuring Cup or Bowl: Needed to mix the ingredients in before pouring into the bottle. This is optional as the ingredients can be added to the bottle directly.
• Fine-Mesh Strainer: Helps to remove any bigger pieces. If you like pulp in your soda, then this might not be necessary.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Needed to measure the ingredients.
• Funnel: Makes pouring the liquid into bottles easier (trust me, you don’t want sticky spills).

📝The Ingredients

The ingredients needed are simple:

• Blood oranges: Freshly squeezed juice is best. Store-bought juice can be used, but be careful to use pure juice with no preservatives that is not pasteurized or you risk the fermentation bacteria getting killed by the juice. Regular oranges work too.
• Sugar: This must be real sugar, not a sugar alternative, because it fuels the fermentation.
• Sugar Alternative: Use a sugar alternative like stevia to sweeten the soda. As the raw sugar in he juice and added sugar will be "eaten" during fermentation, the soda won't have any sweetness without this.
• Ginger Bug: Needs to be active and bubbly before using. This Ginger Bug recipe shows you how to start one.

👩🏻‍🍳How to make Blood Orange Soda

Here is a quick overview of the recipe steps. Please read the recipe card for the full instructions.

1. Juice the oranges: Strain if you prefer a smoother soda.
2. Mix everything together: Combine juice, sugar, stevia, and ginger bug in a measuring cup or bowl. Stir well.
3. Bottle it: Pour into a fermentation bottle, leaving some space at the top. Ferment: Let sit at room temperature for 1-3 days, checking daily for pressure buildup.
4. Chill and serve: Once fizzy, refrigerate to slow fermentation. Serve cold.

💡Tips for Fermenting with a Ginger Bug

Fermenting with a ginger bug is super fun but can end in a mess. If this is your first time making fermented soda using a ginger bug, then these tips will help you make this process easy and hopefully mess free:

• Make sure your ginger bug is active: It should be bubbly and smell slightly yeasty. If it's flat, feed it some ginger and sugar, then wait a day before using it.
• Sugar is essential: Even if you’re avoiding sugar, you must include it in the recipe for the fermentation to happen. If your soda does not start to bubble properly, add more sugar.
• Burp your bottles daily: Open the bottle slightly at least once a day to release pressure and prevent explosions.
• Beware when opening: Be careful when opening the bottle to burp and keep a cloth or towel handy. The fermentation can be strong and the the drink can start bubbling or even splashing out. I suggest opening the bottle in the sink and if fermentation is strong open and close the bottle a few times, letting the fermentation go down in between.
• Keep an eye on the temperature: If your space is warm (above 22°C/72°F), your soda may ferment faster. If it’s cooler, it might take an extra day.
• Refrigerate to slow fermentation: Once your soda is fizzy enough, put it in the fridge. This slows down the fermentation so it doesn’t get too strong.
• Consumption: The longer you let the soda ferment the more tangy or sour it gets. To solve that problem make sure to pop it in the fridge in time and try to drink the soda within a week.

🍴Serving suggestions

This orange soda tastes delicious straight out of the fridge, but you can serve it in many other ways:

• Over Ice: Super refreshing on a warm day.
• With Fresh Citrus: Garnish with a slice of blood orange, lemon, or lime.
• Herbal Twist: Add a sprig of fresh mint, rosemary, or basil for extra flavor.
• Mocktail Base: Mix with sparkling water, a splash of lime, and a dash of bitters for a fancy non-alcoholic drink. You could even add a non-alcoholic spirit.
• Cocktail Mixer: Pairs well with gin, vodka, or rum for a light and citrusy cocktail. Get creative with your cocktails!
• With a Spicy Kick: Add a thin slice of fresh ginger or a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicy twist.

🥄Storage

Fermented sodas don’t last forever, but if you store them properly, you can enjoy them for about a week. Here is the storage information you need:

• At room temperature: Once bottled, the soda will keep fermenting for 1-3 days. The longer it sits, the fizzier (and slightly tangier) it will get. Check daily and move it to the fridge once it reaches your desired carbonation.
• In the fridge: After fermentation, store your soda in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks. This slows down fermentation and keeps the flavor stable.
• Check for pressure buildup: Even in the fridge, carbonation can still increase. Crack the lid slightly every few days to release any excess gas.
• If the fizz dies down: Let the bottle sit at room temperature for a few hours before serving. This can reactivate some of the natural carbonation.

💭Frequently asked questions

More fermenting recipes to try

📖 Recipe

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