Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you enjoy orange soda but want to use real ingredients, this recipe is for you. Fresh oranges provide the bright citrus flavor, while coconut water, honey, and Redmond Real Salt help support hydration. The result is a refreshing drink that tastes like orange soda but is made from ingredients you can actually recognize.
What Makes This Recipe Different
Many orange sodas rely on artificial flavors, colors, and large amounts of sugar. This recipe gets its flavor from real oranges, including the zest. Allowing the zest to sit with a small amount of sugar helps pull out the natural citrus oils, creating a deeper orange flavor without the need for extracts or artificial ingredients.
Because the concentrate is mixed with sparkling water before serving, you can easily adjust the strength and sweetness to your preference.
Understanding the Ingredients
Oranges
Oranges provide the primary flavor in this recipe along with naturally occurring sugars and vitamin C. Using both the zest and the fruit helps create a stronger orange flavor than juice alone. The zest contains fragrant citrus oils that give orange soda its signature aroma.
Cane Sugar
A small amount of cane sugar is used to help pull the oils from the orange zest. This process creates a more intense orange flavor while using far less sugar than a traditional orange soda syrup.
Honey
Honey adds a touch of sweetness and helps balance the natural acidity of the oranges. It also provides a quick source of energy without overwhelming the fresh citrus flavor.
Coconut Water
Coconut water contributes potassium, an important electrolyte that works alongside sodium to support hydration. It also adds a subtle natural sweetness without making the drink taste like coconut.
Redmond Real Salt
Redmond Real Salt provides sodium and trace minerals. Sodium plays an important role in hydration because it helps the body maintain proper fluid balance.
A Good Source of Vitamin C
Oranges are well known for their vitamin C content, which is one reason many people reach for them during cold and flu season. While this Homemade Orange Crush Hydration Soda is not intended to treat or cure illness, it does provide vitamin C from real oranges along with fluids and electrolytes. If you’re feeling under the weather, a refreshing drink made with real fruit, coconut water, honey, and a pinch of salt can be a pleasant way to help support hydration while enjoying a boost of citrus flavor.
Tips for Success
Choose ripe, sweet oranges for the best flavor.
When zesting, remove only the orange outer layer and avoid as much of the white pith as possible, which can add bitterness.
Allow the zest and sugar mixture to rest for at least 15 minutes before blending. This extra step helps maximize the orange flavor.
Strain the concentrate thoroughly for a smoother finished drink.
Orange Hydration Soda Concentrate
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5-7 oranges, washed well
- 1 tbsp pure cane sugar
- 1/4 tsp Redmond Real Salt
- 2-4 tbsp raw and unfiltered honey
- 1/2 cup coconut water
Instructions
- Remove the zest from the oranges, avoiding as much white pith as possible.Add the orange zest and cane sugar to a bowl. Stir together and let sit for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour, to help pull the oils from the zest.Peel the oranges and remove as much excess white pith as possible.Add the orange flesh to a blender.Add the zest sugar mixture, honey, Redmond Real Salt, and coconut water.Blend until smooth.Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove pulp and zest pieces.Chill the concentrate completely before serving.
To Serve
- Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup concentrate to a glass with ice, depending on the size of your glass and how strong you like the flavor.Top with 8–10 ounces sparkling water or club soda and stir gently.