Katie's Coffee Notes
You might be thinking—coffee and bubbles? Really? But trust me, it works. If you love iced coffee, especially in the summer, this is such a fun way to mix things up.
It’s light, smooth, and surprisingly refreshing—like your usual iced coffee, but fizzy. And if you’re already drinking sparkling water all day like I am… well, this just makes sense. Haha!
I like to drink this, and my iced lavender latte, all summer long!
Simple Ingredients
- Espresso Shots or Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate: Use whatever you've got on hand or personally enjoy.
- Sparkling Water: This can be plain sparkling mineral water, club soda, ginger beer, seltzer water, or even flavored sparkling waters such as La Croix.
- Flavored Simple Syrup: Adds a touch of sweetness, if you like. Vanilla syrup or brown sugar syrup are great options! For a unique twist, try a this lavender simple syrup! Use liquid cane sugar for more subtle sweetness.
- Ice: I usually use regular ice, but coffee ice cubes are a great option if you want to keep the flavor bold and avoid watering it down—especially if you like your iced coffee drinks strong.
*See recipe card below for ingredient quantities.
Equipment
I use the Breville Barista Express to make my espresso at home—a Nespresso Machine works here as well. I also use a Toddy cold brew system when I want cold brew concentrate. Any of these are great options for this recipe.
How to Make a Coffee Soda
- Step 1: Fill a tall glass with ice. Then fill about halfway with sparkling water. Add your desired syrup to the glass.
- Step 2: Top off with espresso or cold brew concentrate.
Katie's Top Recipe Tip
Whether you’re using espresso or cold brew, stick with your favorite coffee beans. If you love drinking it, it’ll work great in this recipe too.
Variations
- In the summertime, a splash of citrus is nice! Add a squeeze of orange or lime juice, and then garnish with a twist of the peel to finish it off.
- Maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon is perfect for the warm fall months.
- Use homemade mocha sauce in place of the syrup for an indulgent treat!
- Adding a splash of cream makes an Espresso Cream Soda. You could also top it off with a dollop of vanilla cold foam!
Recipe FAQs
You can, but let it cool first. Just keep in mind it may taste a bit more bitter or acidic than cold brew, and the coffee flavor might not be as strong.
You can! Sprite or Coke will give it a unique twist, but skip the syrup since those sodas are already sweet.
A sparkling Americano is just espresso and sparkling water—no syrup. Coffee soda adds flavored syrup for a sweeter, more customizable drink
Not quite. Coffee soda is made with espresso (or cold brew), sparkling water, and sometimes syrup. Dirty soda is a non-coffee drink that usually starts with soda (like Diet Coke or root beer), then adds flavored syrups, cream, and sometimes lime juice.
More Homemade Coffee Recipes to Try!
If you love experimenting with espresso drinks at home, you'll enjoy these recipes too!
Iced Coffee Soda (Sparkling Americano)
Ingredients
- ice, enough to fill glass
- 8 ounces sparkling water
- 2 tablespoons flavored syrup
- 2 shots espresso, or 3-4 ounces cold brew concentrate
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour in the sparkling water, leaving room for the syrup and espresso.
- Add the flavored syrup. Then top with espresso or cold brew concentrate.
- Stir gently to combine. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use any flavored syrup that you would enjoy in your coffee. Or skip the syrup altogether.
- Try with any kind of sparkling water you like. It can be sparkling mineral water (like Topo Chico, S. Pellegrino), club soda, ginger beer, or even flavored sparkling waters (like LaCroix)!
- Adjust the amounts to suit your personal preference.
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