Making homemade soda at home can be a fun and delicious way to enjoy carbonated beverages without spending a lot of money. But how many servings of soda can you actually yield from a box of soda syrup? The answer depends on a few key factors.
Size of the Syrup Box
First, you need to consider the size of the soda syrup box. Soda syrup boxes are available in different sizes, with some of the common options being:
- 2 liter box – makes about 33 12 oz servings
- 3 liter box – makes about 50 12 oz servings
- 5 liter box – makes about 82 12 oz servings
So a larger syrup box will naturally make more servings of soda. The standard 5 liter box of soda syrup concentrates makes about 82 12-ounce sodas. If making 16 oz servings, it would make around 49 drinks.
Dilution Ratio
The second important factor is the dilution ratio recommended for the syrup. Soda syrup is concentrated, so it needs to be mixed with carbonated water to produce the final beverage.
Most soda syrup boxes recommend diluting 1 part syrup with 5 parts carbonated water. So for every 1 oz of syrup, you add 5 oz of carbonated water. Some brands may recommend slightly different ratios, such as 1:4 or 1:6, but 1:5 is the most common.
Using the standard 1:5 ratio, a 5 liter box which contains 5000 ml of syrup would be diluted with 25,000 ml of carbonated water. This would yield a total of 30,000 ml or 30 liters of soda.
Serving Size
The final factor is the serving size. Soda serving sizes can range from 6-16 ounces or more. A 12 oz serving is probably the most standard. Here is how many 12 oz servings you would yield from different syrup box sizes:
| Syrup Box Size | 12 oz Servings |
| 2 liters | 33 |
| 3 liters | 50 |
| 5 liters | 82 |
If serving soda in 16 oz cups, the number of servings would be reduced. A 5 liter box would make around 49 16 oz servings.
Cost Comparison
Making your own soda from syrups is much cheaper compared to buying pre-made soda from the store. Here’s a quick cost comparison:
- 5 liter box of syrup: $15
- Makes 82 12 oz servings: 15¢ per 12oz serving
- Compare to store-bought soda at $5 for 12 cans = 42¢ per 12oz can
As you can see, the syrup provides a cost savings of around 27¢ per serving compared to buying cans of soda from the store. Even greater savings can be achieved by purchasing syrup in larger bulk sizes.
Tips for Yielding More Soda
If you want to stretch your soda syrup supply even further, here are some tips:
- Dilute at a higher ratio, like 1:6 instead of 1:5. This will make the soda less sweet but increase yield.
- Add less ice to the glass, as this waters down the soda.
- Use smaller serving sizes like 8oz instead of 12oz.
- Reuse any leftover syrup from glasses rather than pouring it out.
Storing Leftover Soda Syrup
An unopened box of soda syrup can typically last 6-12 months past its printed expiration date if stored properly. Once opened, syrup should be refrigerated and can last 4-6 weeks.
For long term storage, keep syrup in a cool, dark place like the pantry. Avoid temperature fluctuations which can affect taste over time. An opened box will last longer if you squeeze out excess air and seal it tightly.
Making Great Tasting Homemade Soda
To make delicious homemade soda using syrups, be sure to:
- Use very cold soda water – the colder the better.
- Add syrup to glass first, then slowly add bubbly water.
- Use glass containers rather than plastic.
- Add fun garnishes like citrus slices or maraschino cherries.
With the right ratio of syrup to soda water and high quality ingredients, you can enjoy tasty homemade soda on a budget using syrup concentrates!
Health Considerations
While homemade sodas are often lower in sugar and calories compared to mass produced soft drinks, they should still be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet:
- Aim for 12 oz serving sizes or less.
- Dilute syrup at higher ratios to reduce sweetness.
- Avoid daily consumption – treat as an occasional indulgence.
- Always check labels for sugar and calorie content.
- Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Consume in combination with exercise.
Be aware that even 100% fruit juice syrups still contain natural sugars. Overconsumption may lead to weight gain or metabolic issues. For children, dietitians recommend no more than 4-6oz of juice per day.
Moderating soda intake while making balanced overall diet and lifestyle choices can allow you to enjoy homemade soda guilt-free!
Making Specialty Soda Flavors
One fun thing about making homemade soda is experimenting with unique flavor combinations. You can start with plain soda syrups like cola, lemon-lime or root beer, then mix in flavored simple syrups to create your own custom soda flavors.
Some tasty combinations include:
| Lemon syrup + Raspberry syrup | = Raspberry Lemonade |
| Cola syrup + Vanilla syrup | = Vanilla Cola |
| Root beer syrup + Orange syrup | = Orange Cream Root Beer Float |
Let your imagination run wild coming up with fun sodas the whole family will love!
Making Italian Sodas
Italian sodas are a delicious, low calorie soda option. They are made by mixing plain soda water with flavored simple syrups:
- Simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water heated until dissolved.
- Flavored syrups use fruit purees or extracts.
- No soda syrup needed – just plain carbonated water.
Popular Italian soda flavors include:
- Raspberry
- Peach
- Strawberry
- Vanilla
- Hazelnut
- Lavender
- Rose
- Hibiscus
To make, mix 1-2 tbsp flavored syrup with 6-8oz cold soda water. Top with cream or milk for an Italian cream soda. Enjoy the refreshing fruit flavors!
Conclusion
Making homemade soda from syrups is an economical way to create a tasty carbonated treat. The number of servings depends on the syrup box size, dilution ratio and serving sizes. Typically a 5 liter syrup box makes around 82 x 12oz servings of soda.
With the right techniques and ingredients, homemade sodas can taste even better than store bought ones. Plus you can customize flavors to create specialty sodas your whole family will love. Syrup sodas are fun to make and provide a delicious bubbly beverage without breaking the bank. Just be mindful of sugar content and enjoy in moderation.