This Orange Crush Recipe Will Shock You With How Easy It Is
This homemade orange crush recipe gives you a REAL orange soda made from just 3 simple ingredients, real oranges, sugar, and sparkling water. No artificial flavors, no preservatives, and no guessing on sweetness because YOU control how much syrup goes in the glass. The syrup takes about 40 minutes from start to finish and keeps in the fridge for up to 3 weeks, making it perfect for the whole family to enjoy all week long.
EMAIL THIS RECIPE
Enter your email and I'll send this directly to you.
Plus you'll get new recipes from me every week!
Ingredients
- 3 medium oranges
- 2 cups granulated sugar (or honey or maple syrup)
- 1 cup boiling water
To Serve
- Sparkling Water
- Ice
Instructions
- Zest all 3 oranges directly into a medium bowl, taking care to remove only the bright orange layer and none of the white pith beneath, which turns the syrup bitter.
- Add 2 cups of sugar to the bowl and use your fingers to press and rub the zest into the sugar for about 1-2 minutes, until the mixture looks damp and fragrant.
- Pour in 1 cup of boiling water and stir until all the sugar has fully dissolved, about 1-2 minutes.
- Juice the 3 zested oranges and stir the juice into the syrup. Let the mixture sit uncovered for 15-30 minutes to infuse.
- Pour the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a clean jar or bottle, pressing on the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids.
- To serve, add 1 tablespoon of syrup to a glass filled with ice and top with sparkling water. Taste and adjust the amount of syrup to your liking.
Notes
Pro tips: Rubbing the zest into the sugar in step 2 is what makes this syrup so aromatic. The sugar draws out the essential oils from the zest, giving the syrup a depth of flavor that plain orange juice alone can not achieve. Do not skip this step.
Adjusting sweetness: Start with 1 tablespoon of syrup per glass and go from there. Some people prefer 1.5 to 2 tablespoons for a more intensely flavored drink.
Substitutions: Honey and maple syrup both work beautifully here and add their own subtle flavor. Honey will make a slightly floral syrup, while maple adds a warm, caramel note. Use the same quantity as the sugar.
Storage: Store the syrup in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Shake or stir before using, as it may settle.
Variations: Try this same method with lemons, limes, grapefruits, or a mix of citrus for different flavor profiles.
Nutrition
Calories: 86kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.003gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.004gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 36mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 44IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.03mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Want To Save This Recipe?
Share your email & we’ll send it over! PLUS, you’ll get new recipes from us weekly
