SUGAR-FREE SOFT DRINKS

I have always used the plain water button that is on most soft drink dispensers, but I never noticed the one marked “soda” until Dr. Eades mentioned it on his blog (http://www.proteinpower.com) that he and his wife use it to get a sugar-free, carbonated beverage at restaurants. I took it a step further. Many restaurants provide lemon slices on the counter along with the straws and napkins, especially if tea is one of the choices, so now that I know the trick, I make my own “real” pop (similar to Sprite or Seven Up)  without aspartame or high-fructose corn syrup. I just squeeze a couple of lemon slices in a glass, muddle them a bit with a spoon, add a little sugar-free sweetener, which I always carry in my purse, and fill the glass with carbonated water. (You may still have to pay for a beverage, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask if there is a charge for soda water.)

The picture above was featured in Carb Wars; Sugar is the New Fat, which came out in 2007 (the picture is from 2005). The cute little kids (still cute but not so little now) are my grandsons making “Silly Drinks.” I still keep the ingredients on hand for making custom sugar-free pop and they occasionally want to make one of their old favorite combinations from their hand-written recipe cards still stashed behind the bottles on the counter or to whip up some totally new variation. Like typical teens they drink a lot of regular soft drinks, but at least they have a better option when they visit our house. 

Below is the original recipe from Carb Wars; Sugar is the New Fat. There are more brands of sugar-free, flavored syrups available today, made with a variety of different sweeteners, so you can choose the one you like. 

SILLY DRINKS
Have you ever had watermelon pop? DaVinci® makes dozens of interesting and exotic flavored syrups. Just use the proportions below and turn them all into no calorie, no-carb, and no-caffeine soft drinks.

2 ounces (4 tablespoons) sugar-free flavored syrup
8 ounces (1 cup) carbonated water

Stir together and serve over ice.
Makes 1 serving with zero calories and zero carbs.

Silly Drinks:
When my grandchildren come over they love to make “silly drinks.” I let them choose from my assortment of DaVinci® sugar-free syrups to concoct soft drinks using any combination of flavors and carbonated water. 

The grown-ups have to sample their creations such as banana-green apple-root beer or peanut butter-lemon-gingerbread pop. Of course, we always respond “Mmmm, good!—JBB, page 338 from Carb Wars

Note: To use sugar substitute and water instead of sugar-free syrups in recipes: For each tablespoon of syrup called for, use one tablespoon of water plus sugar substitute to equal 1 tablespoon of sugar. You may also add a few drops of flavor extract.

Nourished and Carb Wars from LC-Foods > http://www.holdthecarbs.com/books

Disclaimer: I have not received free samples of the product mentioned above. I will receive a commission on the sale of the books.

(c) 2014, Judy Barnes Baker, www.carbwars.blogspot.com

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Judy Barnes Baker

The working title for my first book was, “You’ll Never Know What You Are Missing.” It summed up my goal: to make eating for health synonymous with eating for pleasure. Once you discover the secret, you will find that the very best food for weight management, longevity, the treatment and prevention of disease, and over-all health and happiness is also the most sumptuous, satisfying, and indulgent way of eating the world has to offer. You are invited to the feast. Enjoy!
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments