Frugal Cola Alternatives
Healthier Versions of Summer Drinks That Won’t Bust Your Budget
Jul 29, 2009
Is there anything better than sitting in a park or patio on a hot summer day, while drinking something sweet and fizzy? Though summer and sweet drinks seem to go together, paying for unhealthy thirst quenchers seem like a double buzz kill. Many countries are banning products that contain high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as it has been linked to adult onset diabetes as well as obesity.
Another danger to growing bodies is that caffeine leaches calcium out of bones; while it’s not an overnight process, there is something to the old folks tales of caffeine-stunting children’s growth. The average can of cola contains between 45 to 100 milligrams of caffeine: That is as much as a cup of coffee.
Diet Colas and Soft Drinks
Fruit-flavoured soft drinks don’t fare much better in terms of health. Whether it’s Orange Crush, or Grape Fanta, even the diet versions contain aspartame or other artificial sweeteners, like sucralose-based Splenda®, they may be safe for diabetic diets, but do not really add any nutrients or benefits to one’s diet. In fact, many have more sodium than an average soft drink.
Alternatives to Sodas
- Making your own iced tea from scratch doesn’t have to be expensive, or difficult. While there are exotic, imported blends, a mint tea made from fresh mint and sweetened with honey is great alternative to soda.
- Fresh fruit smoothies: Summer brings lots of bargains when it comes to fruits and berries. Throw them in your blender and add some ice cubes and/or yogurt.
- Italian soda: Make your own fruit syrup and add mineral water or plain carbonated soda water.
DIY Italian Soda
Instead of buying Italian sodas from your favourite coffee shop, why not make your own? Many grocery stores sell fruit syrups, like cherry, currant or strawberry. Among some popular brands are Globus, though North America may be more familiar with Starbucks and Second Cup selling their syrups by the bottle for their Italian Sodas named Torani.
However, if you buy a bottle, you’re basically paying for sugar, water and whatever flavouring is on hand: You can easily make it yourself with no fancy equipment needed.
A tablespoon of syrup into a glass of plain, carbonated soda water may yield half the sugar a commercial soda, but has the advantage of containing fruit. Making your own fruit syrup is a great alternative to an expensive bottle of syrup. Plus, your sodas, floats and summer drinks can be made as sweet or as subtle as you like.
Try Googling “simple syrup” or even “fruit syrup:” The Internet can yield a wealth of recipes. Best of all, the summery taste of seasonal fruit is yours year long if made in large batches. As long as bottles are cleaned and boiled properly before storage, several bottles can keep for months, making a homemade Torani cost an eighth of what you’d spend in a coffee shop.
A bottle of your homemade fruit syrup in an attractive bottle can make for an interesting cocktail; add a tablespoon of your syrup to a fizzy cocktail for a personal twist: Bottoms up!
 |
