Concord Grape and Lemon Soda
merrill says: Recently, I decided that I like the intense flavor of Concord grapes most in drink form. Several years ago, I tested and loved a recipe from the New York Times Magazine involving a heavily spiced grape purée to which you add vodka, lemon juice and soda water. So last week, I decided to make a Concord grape soda, inspired by the Times recipe. I cut way back on the spices, opting for a just a little cinnamon, because I wanted a purer grape flavor, and I upped the lemon juice, forgoing the vodka (but you don't have to!). The resulting soda was refreshing, intensely grapey, and a sure herald of fall.
Makes 6 drinks
- 2 lemons
- 1 pound Concord grapes, rinsed and stems removed
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
- Pinch salt
- Soda water
- Zest and juice 1 lemon and put the zest in a heavy, wide saucepan. Set the juice aside. Add the grapes, sugar, cinnamon stick, salt and 2 tablespoons of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and cook gently over medium-low heat until the grapes have all broken down, about 20 minutes. Let cool.
- Press the grapes and juice through a fine mesh sieve until you have a smooth puree (you should have about 3/4 cup). Discard the grape seeds and peels left in the sieve, as well as the cinnamon stick.
- To make the soda: Cut the second lemon into thin wedges. Put several ice cubes in each of 6 tumblers. Add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of the grape puree to each glass. Fill with soda water and stir gently to combine. Add a lemon wedge to a each glass and serve, with stirrers if you have them.








5 months ago Benny
I've never made a grape soda before today. This was really good! Thank you!
over 1 year ago spaetzlegirl
totally delicious! had never even had a concord grape before getting a few pounds of 'em in the csa this week, but i think i've found my go-to recipe...
over 1 year ago ariellemeier
This is delicious and easy! Thank you.
over 1 year ago luvcookbooks
and congratulations! read the recipe first and the blog post later...
over 1 year ago merrill
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
Thanks!
over 1 year ago carol_tanenbaum
I've some ginger syrup in the fridge. Think I'm going to try it with this tomorrow.
Congratulations!
over 1 year ago carol_tanenbaum
I've some ginger syrup in the fridge. Think I'm going to try it with this tomorrow.
Congratulations!
over 1 year ago merrill
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
Thank you! And ginger syrup sounds like a great addition.
over 1 year ago luvcookbooks
love concord grapes and never thought of grape soda, thanks! my son loves fruit soda and this will be a little better and less expensive than the store bought.
over 1 year ago merrill
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
Hope so!
over 1 year ago Niknud
Wonderful. Makes me miss home where we had concord grapes growing wild in our backyard. Never thought to make a drink out of them - thanks for a little dose of New England.
over 1 year ago merrill
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
Wow, how lovely!