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
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Ingredients
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2
lemons
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1 pound
Concord grapes, rinsed and stems removed
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1/2 cup
sugar
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1
cinnamon stick, broken in half
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Pinch salt
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Soda water
Directions
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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.
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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.
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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.
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