Christmas

Concord Grape and Lemon Soda

September 22, 2011
5
1 Ratings
Photo by James Ransom
  • Makes 6 drinks
Author Notes

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.
Merrill Stubbs

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 lemons
  • 1 pound Concord grapes, rinsed and stems removed
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
  • Pinch salt
  • Soda water
Directions
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Benny
    Benny
  • luvcookbooks
    luvcookbooks
  • Niknud
    Niknud
  • Merrill Stubbs
    Merrill Stubbs

13 Reviews

marthamsmith October 1, 2022
Concord grapes arrived in my CSA, so I tried this recipe. Yum, yum! Didn't have stick cinnamon so substituted about 1/2 Tbl mulled cider spices I had on hand.
 
Benny September 28, 2012
I've never made a grape soda before today. This was really good! Thank you!
 
spaetzlegirl September 29, 2011
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...
 
ariellemeier September 26, 2011
This is delicious and easy! Thank you.
 
luvcookbooks September 24, 2011
and congratulations! read the recipe first and the blog post later...
 
Merrill S. September 29, 2011
Thanks!
 
carol_tanenbaum September 23, 2011
I've some ginger syrup in the fridge. Think I'm going to try it with this tomorrow.

Congratulations!
 
carol_tanenbaum September 23, 2011
I've some ginger syrup in the fridge. Think I'm going to try it with this tomorrow.

Congratulations!
 
Merrill S. September 29, 2011
Thank you! And ginger syrup sounds like a great addition.
 
luvcookbooks September 23, 2011
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.
 
Merrill S. September 29, 2011
Hope so!
 
Niknud September 23, 2011
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.
 
Merrill S. September 29, 2011
Wow, how lovely!