DIY SPARKLING-WATER BAR 1 cup (250 mL) water 1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar 2 ruby red grapefruit plus rind

With a soda machine and some homemade fruit syrup, summer party guests of all ages can create their own fun, fizzy drinks

It’s not a party without a festive drink in hand, but those who don’t drink alcohol are often overlooked and left with plain water, and that’s just plain boring. With minimal effort, you can create a self-serve sparkling-water bar and let guests of all ages create their own fun, fizzy drinks. And rather than purchase store-bought syrup, make your own. You control the ingredients and avoid artificial sweeteners and other additives. Plus, this cuts down on the waste from buying new plastic water bottles. Here’s how to set it up.

Choose your sparkling water

There are plenty of options for sparkling water — mineral water, seltzer and club soda — or make your ownwith a soda maker. A soda machine that uses a refillable CO2 cartridge to carbonate water could be a good investment.

Add flavour

Create your own flavoured syrups that pair perfectly with bubbly water. Once you master the simple syrup recipe, customize the syrups by adding fresh or frozen fruit. The standard recipe is one part sugar to one part water (1:1). Get creative and create signature flavour combinations.

Make it pretty

Set out bowls of sliced fruit and fresh herbs, such as mint or basil, so guests can garnish their drink.

Mix it up

Fill a glass with ice, sparkling water and syrup. Start with a little syrup and then adjust as needed — usually 1 or 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 mL) will do. Garnish with sliced fruit, add a sprig of mint and enjoy! Here are four recipes to get you started. These recipes yield approximately 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) of syrup depending on how juicy the fruit is. Store in the refrigerator in glass bottles or jars for up to 14 days. To sterilize glass, immerse in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes.

Strawberry Syrup

3 Star Tested

2 cups (500 mL) fresh strawberries, washed, stems removed and cut in half. In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar and strawberries. Bring to a boil over mediumhigh heat. Reduce heat. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring until the sugar has dissolved, berries are mushy and syrup has slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Let cool. Strain syrup into a clean (sterilized is best) glass jar or bottle. Refrigerate. Tip: Save the pulp to add to yogurt or ice cream.

Blueberry Syrup

3 Star Tested In a small saucepan combine water, sugar and blueberries. Bring to a boil over mediumhigh heat. Reduce heat. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring until the sugar has dissolved, berries are mushy and syrup has slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Let cool completely. Strain syrup into a clean (sterilized is best) glass jar or bottle. Refrigerate.

Ruby Red Grapefruit Syrup

3 Star Tested Wash grapefruit. With a vegetable peeler, cut ribbons of rind from both. Slice each grapefruit into six sections. Cut away and discard the pith, the white soft part of the skin. Add grapefruit, rind, sugar and water to saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring until the sugar has dissolved, grapefruit is mushy and syrup has slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Let cool completely. Strain the syrup into a clean (sterilized is best) glass container. Refrigerate.

Lemon-Lime Syrup

3 Star Tested 1 cup (250 mL) water 1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar juice and zest of 4 limes juice and zest of 2 lemons Wash and zest lemons and limes using a grater or zester. Slice fruit in half and hand squeeze juice from the fruits. In a small saucepan combine water, sugar, juice and zest. Bring to a boil over mediumhigh heat. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat. Let cool completely. Strain into a clean (sterilized is best) glass jar or bottle. Refrigerate.

Add 1 tablespoon of syrup to 1 cup of sparkling water. Garnish with rosemary, or mint.

Enjoy.

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