Grape Fruit Soda

Absolutely! Fresh grapes make a naturally sweet and refreshing soda with a much fresher flavour than bottled grape juice. Blend the grapes just until they break down, then strain the juice to remove the skins and pulp. This gives you a smooth drink that stays light, fruity and fizzy.

Red or black seedless grapes are the best choice because they have a naturally sweet flavour that gives you a beautiful colour. Green grapes can also be used but they tend to be more tart, so you may need to add a little simple syrup or natural sweetener after tasting the juice.

Yes. If your grapes are ripe and naturally sweet you may not need any added sugar at all. Always taste the strained juice before adding anything extra. If it needs a little more sweetness then stir in a small amount of simple syrup until it tastes just right.

The easiest way is to chill everything before you start, including the grapes, sparkling water and glasses. Add the fizzy water right at the end and give the drink just one gentle stir. This keeps as much carbonation in the drink as possible, giving it a fresh bubbly finish.

You can prepare the grape juice mixture a day in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. Wait until you're ready to serve before adding the sparkling water. Mixing it too early will cause the bubbles to disappear, leaving the drink flat instead of light and refreshing. As always it's best enjoyed fresh as possible.

Bitterness usually comes from blending the grape skins for too long. Pulse the grapes for only 20 to 30 seconds, just enough to release the juice, then strain the mixture well through a fine sieve. A squeeze of fresh lime juice and a tiny pinch of salt also help brighten the flavour and balance any natural bitterness. We learned from making making this recipe numerous times how to avoid this common mistake.