Ingredients:

  • 200g Granulated Sugar
  • 250ml Filtered Water
  • 60ml Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate, unsweetened
  • 15g Fresh Orange Zest, pith-free
  • 10g Fresh Lime Zest
  • 0.5 tsp Citric Acid powder
  • 0.25 tsp Gum Arabic
  • 1 drop Red Food Coloring
  • 250ml Highly Carbonated Seltzer or Club Soda per serving
  • 0.125 tsp Caffeine Powder

Instructions:

  1. Combine 200g Granulated Sugar and 250ml Filtered Water in a saucepan.
  2. Heat over medium low until the liquid turns crystal clear, stirring gently to dissolve the crystals.
  3. Whisk in 0.25 tsp Gum Arabic and 0.5 tsp Citric Acid powder. Note: Adding these now ensures they hydrate fully in the warm liquid.
  4. Stir in 0.125 tsp Caffeine Powder until no granules remain.
  5. Add 15g Orange Zest and 10g Lime Zest to the hot liquid.
  6. Simmer for 5 minutes until the kitchen smells like a citrus grove.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in 60ml Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate and 1 drop Red Food Coloring.
  8. Cool the syrup to room temperature then strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the solids.
  9. To serve, pour 2-3 tablespoons of syrup into a glass and top with 250ml chilled seltzer.
  10. Stir very gently with a long spoon until the color is uniform and vibrant.