I’ve got another weird obsession. This time, it’s soda. Particularly weird because I don’t even drink soda, or even fizzy water. But my determination to use as much lavender as possible while it’s still blooming led me to make a lavender simple syrup. And when I was thinking about the syrup and how I could use it, I kept coming across posts on homemade soda. That led to me picking up yet another cookbook, Homemade Soda and an iSi Soda Siphon (I’m so out of control).

I’m still not sure what I was thinking. I don’t have any idea how to make soda, but I guess that’s the fun of cooking and coming up with these little projects. And I love that inspiration comes from my neighborhood – Meyer lemons two doors down and lavender three doors down. I started with a simple syrup, equal parts sugar and water. I made two batches, and I should mention that more lavender is definitely not better. I cut back when I made the second batch and it was much better. I made a soda base of strained Meyer lemon juice and the syrup. I admit, my ratios were all a wild guess but it turned out great. Not too sweet, not too fizzy. I left some in the siphon after I filled one glass bottle, to experiment with storage.

The iSi instructions say not to use any syrups in the siphon. I ignored their rules. I’m really looking forward to making more sodas, particularly brewed root beer.

Lavender-Meyer Lemon Soda

Lavender simple syrup:
1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. lavender flowers, dried or fresh

Soda base:
6 oz. lavender simple syrup
2 oz. freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice, strained

Make the lavender simple syrup:
Heat sugar and water in a small saucepan with lavender until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil, then set to the side to cool. Strain out the lavender and refrigerate.

Make the soda:
Mix the 6 oz. lavender simple syrup with the Meyer lemon juice. Add to a soda siphon along with 2 c. cold, filtered water. Carbonate according to the manufacturers instruction.

• Lavender-Meyer Lemon Soda