grapefruit soda syrup

"My Heart is Heavy" by Sara Teasdale

My heart is heavy with many a song
Like ripe fruit bearing down the tree,
But I can never give you one --
My songs do not belong to me.

Yet in the evening, in the dusk
When moths go to and fro,
In the gray hour if the fruit has fallen,
Take it, no one will know.

It is hard to believe that it is mid-July already, meaning that we are halfway through summer, and therefore practically almost done with already. Truth to be told, this summer has turned out very different than I ever imagined, with whirlwinds of big changes and big emotions in my life.

The blessing of it all is that right now, I am in a place where nothing is happening. Where I get to decide what to do with my days. In the midst of the big changes, it has been comforting to go back to the simple things. Those things that create consistency; that let your soul have a moment of stillness and calm; that bring joy and excitement. For now, it means slow mornings with a cup of coffee and a book to read, discovering at the farmer's market, wondering into the forest to go berry picking, spending time in the kitchen using whatever you found that day. It means making the best of this summer, spending my days exploring and wandering.

I used to be a big diet soda drinker. Then, I started becoming sick from artificial sweeteners and gave up everything that contained those - including diet soda. I have never cared for regular sodas, not until now. This homemade soda makes a nice treat on a hot summer day, and it is perfect to bring along to a potluck or picnic.

For a more refreshing soda, I love to squeeze some grapefruit juice on the bottom of the glass before adding the sparkling water. The grapefruit syrup is sweet and can take that pop of tartness, making this drink rather irresistible.

Grapefruit Soda Syrup
slightly adapted from Martha Stewart
makes about 3 cups

zest of 2 pink grapefruits
juice of 1 pink grapefruit
juice of 1/2 lemon

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups water
a hefty pinch of salt

In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and cover the saucepan. Let steep for an hour, then strain into a bottle or an air-tight container. Refrigerate up to two weeks.


Grapefruit Soda

For homemade grapefruit soda, combine about 1 ounce (2 tbsp) of the syrup with a cup of sparkling water. Add a squeeze of grapefruit, or even lemon, if desired. Enjoy!