That right bitches .. grape soda!!!!
uh-hum. Sorry. you are not bitches.
But this grape soda is my bitch. It is SO GOOD! And that is coming from me, who is not a soda drinker. (Spoiler alert.. all it is is cooked down grapes and seltzer. (and a bit of lemon juice) But thats is) So why soda? I guess it's because I can't make wine since I don't have the knowledge and or the vineyard to make wine. But cooking down some grapes.. I can totally do that.
Every once in a while I make something that I think is so freaking ingenious and fanatic that I am shocked that everyone and there mom doesn't do it. This is one of those recipes. I mean, the mr was more at then thrilled when I handed him a glass, covered in condensation, with a cutie pink straw. He took a long drink and gave a sweet little refreshing sigh. It was great and cute and make me happy cause I think it made his day. And I know that there are a thousand and one other people out there that have been doing this for years and that there are probably a couple hundred recipes as well, but I still consider myself a genius for making this. Great minds my friends.
Anyway, this grape soda is super refreshing, perfectly sweet, and a great way to end the summer and greet the fall. Great for kids and parties, I think this is definially going to be making an appearance at a few of the littles birthday parties and maybe a few grown up people parties.(maybe with a splash or two of booze..see you don't need wine) over the next few weeks. Who needs wine when you got grape soda!
The stuff. Grapes, a lemon, and seltzer water.
Oh wants that? Is that drink jar suppose to be an empty? Nope. I forgot to fill it with the seltzer before I took the pictures.( I think I get a break cause yesterday was stupid hot and I was feeling a little woozy) Let's just pretend there is seltzer in there, ok. and also lets pretend there is water in this picute too, cause we need that as well.
Take your grapes, stems removed, and place in a pot with the lemon juice and water. Stick the pot on stove on medium heat and during to a boil. Then place a lid on it and turn heat down to low and simmer away, giving it a stir sand keeping you eye on it.
Continue to cook until the grapes are pretty much all dissolved and the liquid has reduced about 1/2.
Let cool for a few minutes and strain the grapes through a fine mesh strainer, smooshing and scraping the grapes all around to extract as much liquid as you can.
The left over grape mush makes for a great little snack on some toast, in some yogurt, or with a spoon in your mouth.
Oh so pretty grape juice concentrate. Stick it in the fridge to cool completely.
After cooled, get it all ready for drinking. Add a few tablespoons of the concentrate to a cup, add in some seltzer, maybe a few ice cubes and …wa la!
Gape soda is the shits!
Happy Friday.. Enjoy the last weekend of summer!
-C
For Reals Grape Soda
Makes about 5 drinks so feel free to double and or triple recipe if you are serving a lot of people
- 2 cups red grapes
- 2 cups water
- Juice of 1 lemon
- plain (or madiran orange, or any flavor really) seltzer water
Remove stems from grapes and place into a pot with water and the lemon juice. Briong to boil then cover and turn heat to low. Cook for about 20 minutes to a 1/2 hour or until the grapes are complete mush and the liquid has reduced to about 1/2.
Let cool enough hot handle and strain grape glop through a very fine mesh strainer, smooshing it around to extract as much liquid as you can. Refidgerate the juice, eat the left over mush.
Once cooled, pour about 3-4 tablespoon of the concentrate into a cup and add in about 1 cup of seltzer. Mix and enjoy.
Using a straw is optional, but either way, drink with your mouth.
The stuff you will need. Washed and drained fresh grapes (green or red. I usually use red but the green were half the price and the red ones didn't taste very grapie*) Creamy peanut butter, skewers, and a little bit of cinnamon or cocoa powder (optional)
When the grapes are frozen, melt peanut butter. Take a big glob and stick in a tall skinny cup or bowl and stick in the microwave or heat in a sauce pan and then transfer to a tall skinny vessel. Take frozen skewed grapes and, one skewer at a time, dip in the peanut butter. Cover with as much or as little of the peanut butter as you want and place on wax paper. If you are feeling feisty, add a sprinkle or cinnamon or even a dash of cocoa powder. Or, this may seem a little crazy, but garlic powder is so F*ing good.(it's worth at least giving it a try) When all grapes are dipped, place back into freezer for another 10 minutes or so to let the peanut butter set up a bit.
Whenever your ready… Eat. And be so happy. And always keep a back stock of frozen grapes in the freezer. They are the best.
