7UP
intro
A crisp, bubbly copycat of iconic American lemon-lime 7UP soda, bright with fresh citrus, balanced sweet-tart flavor, and served ice-cold for hot summer refreshment.
Ingredients
Steps
Prep fresh citrus
Set your work surface to room temperature (no heat applied for this step). Wash 2 medium lemons (approx 120g total) and 2 small limes (approx 80g total) under cool running water. Use a microplane zester to collect 2g (1 teaspoon) of lemon zest and 1g (1/2 teaspoon) of lime zest, avoiding the bitter white pith under the peel. Juice the zested fruit to measure 60ml (1/4 cup) strained lemon juice and 45ml (3 tablespoons) strained lime juice, discarding all seeds. Set aside for 2 minutes to let the zest release its aromatic oils.
Mix sweet citrus base
Keep heat off (no stovetop or heat source needed). In a 1.5L (6-cup) clear glass pitcher, combine the measured citrus zest, citrus juice, 65g (1/3 cup) superfine granulated sugar, and 0.5g (1/8 teaspoon) fine sea salt. Stir continuously with a long-handled metal spoon for 45 seconds at medium stirring speed, until all sugar and salt are fully dissolved with no gritty residue left at the bottom of the pitcher.
Infuse and chill base
No heat is used for this chilling step. Cover the pitcher tightly with a food-safe lid or plastic wrap, and place it on the middle shelf of a refrigerator set to 4°C (39°F) for 8 minutes to let the zest infuse its bright flavor into the sweet juice base. Do not add carbonated water at this stage, as it will lose fizz during extended chilling.
Prep serving glasses
Complete this step while the citrus base chills, no heat required. Grab four 355ml (12-oz) highball glasses, add 100g (1/2 cup) of ice cubes to each glass, and if desired, rub a leftover scrap of juiced lemon along the outer rim of each glass for extra citrus aroma. Place the ice-filled glasses on a freezer shelf set to -18°C (0°F) for 5 minutes to frost the glass and keep drinks icy cold when served.
Add carbonated water
Keep heat off for this mixing step. Remove the chilled citrus base from the refrigerator, and slowly pour 960ml (4 cups) of ice-cold plain carbonated water down the inner side of the pitcher to reduce fizz overflow. Stir the mixture very gently for only 10 seconds at slow speed to combine; over-stirring will release carbonation and make the soda flat.
Pour and garnish drinks
No heat required for serving. Remove the frosty iced highball glasses from the freezer, and pour the bubbly 7UP mixture evenly between the four glasses, leaving a 1cm (1/2 inch) gap at the top of each glass to prevent fizz spills. Garnish each glass with 1 thin lemon wheel, add a paper straw, and serve immediately within 2 minutes of pouring to enjoy maximum fizz.
Tips
2.Avoid scraping the bitter white pith under citrus peel when zesting, as it will add a harsh, unpleasant bitter aftertaste that overpowers the bright lemon-lime flavor.
3.Stir the soda as gently as possible after adding carbonated water; vigorous stirring releases trapped carbon dioxide and will eliminate the drink’s signature bubbly texture.
OMG this is such a game changer! I’ve been trying to cut back on store-bought soda because of all the weird preservatives, and this tastes EXACTLY like the classic 7UP I grew up with. My kids went crazy for it at our backyard BBQ last weekend, even the neighbor kids asked for seconds. Super easy to whip up too, took me no time at all. Wait, has anyone tried adding a splash of cherry syrup to make it like 7UP Cherry?
Pretty solid copycat, honestly. I was skeptical because most homemade soda recipes taste like flat lemon water, but this has that perfect crisp, bubbly bite. I only gave it 4 stars because I messed up the first batch by adding the carbonated water too early and it went flat fast, lol. Definitely make sure your simple syrup is totally cooled before mixing!
As someone who collects vintage soda recipes and has tried dozens of 7UP copycats, this is hands down the closest to the original pre-formula change version. The balance of lemon and lime isn’t too tart, not too sweet, exactly what I remember from childhood. 10/10, will be making this weekly instead of buying cans.
This is perfect for my weekly meal prep! I make a big batch of the syrup base on Sundays, then just mix it with cold sparkling water when we want a glass during the week. My husband who swears he “hates homemade anything” drank three glasses with dinner last night. SO good.
Made this for our taco night potluck at work and everyone was asking for the recipe! I served it over crushed ice with a little salt rim on the cups and it paired so well with all the spicy tacos and guac. Only thing I wish I did was make a double batch, it was gone in 10 minutes flat.
Tasted great, but I used regular tap water for the simple syrup and I felt like it had a weird aftertaste? I’m going to try it again with filtered water next time, I think that’ll fix it. Super easy recipe otherwise, way cheaper than buying 7UP at the grocery store these days.
Packed a thermos of this (added extra ice!) for our day hike last weekend and it was so refreshing on the trail. Way better than bringing heavy soda cans, and no sticky soda can leaks in my backpack. Will definitely be a staple on all our outdoor trips this summer.
Oh this takes me right back to my high school days when we’d get 7UP at the soda fountain after football games! I added a tiny pinch of citric acid like my mom used to do for her homemade sodas and it gave it that extra little zing. My grandkids thought I was a magician when I made it for them last Sunday.
Wait, can I use honey instead of white sugar for the simple syrup? I’m trying to cut back on refined sugar but I’m worried it’ll change the flavor too much and not taste like the original. Looks so good otherwise, I can’t wait to try it!
This is way better than the store bought stuff for late night gaming sessions. I keep a bottle of the syrup in the fridge right next to my SodaStream, so I can pour a glass in 30 seconds when I’m in the middle of a raid. No more running to the convenience store at 1am for soda!
Served this at my weekend brunch with a little splash of gin and lemon wedges for a light 7UP cocktail, and my guests were OBSESSED. It was the perfect easy mixed drink to make for a crowd, no fancy ingredients needed. Will absolutely be making this for every brunch from now on.
Made this for the kids’ soccer team snack stand last Saturday, and it sold out faster than the Gatorade! Parents were asking where I bought it, they couldn’t believe it was homemade. So easy to make a huge batch for cheap, perfect for team events.
Wait, I grew up putting lime and salt in my 7UP when I was a kid in Texas, so I added a little extra lime zest and a tiny pinch of sea salt to the syrup, and wow, it’s next level. Tastes even better than the store bought version, my whole familia loved it with our carnitas dinner last night.
Perfect easy recipe for a broke college student! All the ingredients are super cheap from the grocery store, no fancy equipment needed, and it makes enough to last me a whole week in my dorm mini fridge. Way better than paying $2 a can from the vending machine between classes.
I messed up the first batch by using lime juice from the plastic bottle instead of fresh squeezed, and it was super bitter. Second time I used fresh lemons and limes like the recipe says, and it was perfect! Don’t skip the fresh juice, y’all, it makes all the difference.