Allergy Friendly Italian Sodas will help bring refreshment back to summer! With only three ingredients and more flavour combos than you can ever dream up, these Italian fizzy drinks are quenching. This recipe is vegan, gluten and dairy free as well as top 8 free.
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Why We Like This Recipe
We love Allergy Friendly Italian Sodas as a treat in hot weather as a summer treat. The Italian Sodas are thirst quenching and perfect for summer barbecues and parties. They can be made sugar free for those that are looking for a low sugar drink or they can be made into an adult beverage with a bit of alcohol.
My favourite Italian fizzy drink is a lemon and basil mix but the kids love watermelon or strawberry Italian sodas.
Super easy to make with as many flavour combos as you can imagine. Mixing and matching simple syrups will increase the number of flavours of Italian Sodas that can be made. The flavours can be fruit, herb based or more like tea or vanilla!
Fun fact, Italian Sodas are actually American and not from Italy.
Ingredients
- Ice
- 1.5-2 oz Flavoured Simple Syrup
- 6-9 oz Carbonated Water
See recipe card for quantities.
The Ingredient Low Down
Flavoured Simple Syrup
This is an ingredient you can buy, if the ingredients are safe for your allergies. Torani has a huge line of simple syrups that are ready made but they do list natural ingredients. It is always best to check with the manufacturer to see if these are suitable for you.
We usually make it and have a bottle in the fridge with whatever fruit is in season. It is really easy and quick to make. In depth recipes can be found for watermelon or lemon on our site.
How to make Simple Syrup for Allergen Friendly Italian Sodas
Water and sugar in equal quantities, we usually do a cup of each and the fruit or herbs for flavouring. If it is berries I would put in about ½ a cup of fresh or frozen berries. Heat the ingredients in a pot over medium heat, stir often. Heat until the sugar has just melted but do not boil the solution. Remove from heat and let it cool for 20-30 mins and strain out the fruit. You can keep the fruit and dry it on a piece of wax paper overnight and use as sugary garnish for the sodas.
Carbonated Water
We prefer carbonated water, also known as Seltzer water, over soda water as soda water can be high in sodium. It is really up to you though as to which you prefer to use. Sparkling water is also suitable for this recipe.
Instructions/ Directions and Tips
Step 1
Fill a 12- 16 oz tall glass halfway to ¾ full with ice.
Step 2
Pour 1.5-2 oz flavoured simple syrup over the ice.
Step 3
Fill glass to ⅓-½ inch below the rim with carbonated water.
Step 4
Stir with a reusable straw.
Step 5
Add garnishes and serve.
Hint: Pre-make the simple syrup with steps from our Watermelon or Lemon flavoured simple syrups. Making the syrups ahead of time will allow them to chill before use. They can be kept for up to 7 days in the fridge in a bottle.
Substitutions
Sugar Alternatives
Simple syrups can be made with sugar alternatives like Monk Fruit. The lower sugar or sugar alternative syrups are made and stored the same way as simple syrups, with the exception of adding more of the fruit. When adding the simple syrups that are made with sugar alternatives keep in mind that they often taste sweeter than sugar so less simple syrup may be needed. Due to the lesser amount used more fruit or herbs are needed for a stronger flavour in the syrup or it will be a really weak flavour.
Vegan
This comes down to a few things. The sugar used is a huge one! Using organic and vegan sugar is a must. Some North American sugars can use bone char in the processing of refined sugars. Check that yours are vegan friendly with the manufacturer. Don’t use honey or figs as flavourings. They both can be considered non vegan foods due to the exploitation of animals in how they are made.
Variations/ Adaptations
Adult alcoholic beverage
By adding 1.5 ounces of your favourite clear spirit like vodka, gin, tequila, or white rum. When making an adult beverage consider adding extra simple syrup. The alcohol goes better with the drink a bit sweeter. 2-2.5 ounces of simple syrup is recommended for a sweeter taste with alcohol. Always drink responsibly and only at legal drinking age.
Keep in mind when adding alcohol that some people with allergies, particularly wheat allergies can react to certain distilled spirits. Check with the manufacturer for allergen concerns as alcohol does not have to follow the same allergen labelling information as food. We prefer to use a potato based vodka in any adult beverages we serve, like Beatties Potato Vodka. Our kids are not of legal drinking age and do not partake in alcoholic beverages. Follow the drinking regulations in your area.
French Soda -
There is another creamier version of sodas like the Italian Sodas. They are like drinking a creamsicle and called French sodas. The difference is the half and half or cream added to the drink. Obviously, we cannot use real half and half or cream as it is not dairy-free. To get an allergen friendly and vegan version of a french soda - use dairy free creamier or barista versions of your favourite plant milk. Coconut cream can be used too, especially with pineapple simple syrup or orange. Instead of filling the glass with carbonated soda, leave room for a bit of dairy free coconut or oat cream. Usually, just a splash is added but you can add as much or as little as you like.
Equipment
If you buy simple soda you only need a glass and a reusable straw to make Allergy Friendly Italian Sodas. If you are making your own simple syrup a pot is needed, measuring spoons and cups are needed, a strainer for straining out the fruit or flavouring food from the sugar. A funnel is super handy to help bottle the simple syrup and a bottle for storing.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storage
-Fridge
Store the ingredients for Allergen Friendly Simple Soda separately in the fridge (except the ice, use the freezer for that). The Italian Sodas are best consumed fresh. The carbonation will leave the drink if stored. Simple syrup should be stored in the fridge for up to a week in a sealing bottle.
Top Tip
Allergy Friendly Italian Sodas are a perfect summer party or thirst quenching drink to refresh guests. It can be made in a variety of flavours so setting up a self-serve Italian Soda bar is the perfect addition to any barbecue, wedding, or party.
What To Serve With
Enjoy Italian fizzy drinks on their own as a refreshing drink or with picnic and barbecue foods like our Pulled Pork on a sandwich or our Curried Chicken Papaya Salad. They also are a perfect way to end a meal, instead of dessert.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
📖 Recipe
Equipment
- 12-16 oz glass
- reusable straw
Ingredients
- Ice
- 1.5-2 oz Flavoured Simple Syrup
- 6-9 oz Carbonated Water
Instructions
- Fill a 12- 16 oz tall glass halfway to ¾ full with ice.
- Pour 1.5-2 oz flavoured simple syrup over the ice.
- Fill glass to ⅓-½ inch below the rim with carbonated water.
- Stir with a reusable straw.
- Add garnishes and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Always Check products are safe for your allergens
- Read product ingredients three times - when picking up at the store, when putting them away at home, and when using each time
- Contact the manufacturer to
- Do not use the same utensils on allergen free food, that previously touched allergens
- Never leave cooking simple syrup unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment and us know how much you liked it.