I picked some green grapes this past week from the community plot and since I was also given a bunch of concord grapes, I processed them in my new food mill which was sent to me from cookware.com (thank-you!). The result was a strong flavoured grape syrup I used to make the best ever grape soda.
First I cooked the grapes to loosen their skins.
I then ran them through the food mill which left me with a thick pulp. The mill did a pretty good job of removing the skins, but even with the finest screen on the seeds still got through. I look forward to trying it again to make applesauce.
I strained the pulp through a fine sieve, cooled it down, added some soda and, voila, homemade grape soda. It looks pretty much the same as the blackberry cordial I made a few weeks ago but the flavour is completely different (like comparing grapes and blackberries).
If I ran it through a jelly bag I would have had a clearer liquid, but I didn’t have one and I certainly don’t mind the homemade look of this drink. It tasted so good that it was gone in an instant anyhow. Luckily I still have lots of syrup left over to make more.
That looks delicious Stevie. I usually make jam with concord grapes. I haven’t seen any in the supermarkets up here, yet, this year.
This looks great. I don’t have access to free organic grapes, but I am intrigued by the idea of making my own sodas. I didn’t realize it was so easy. Wonderful idea!
I made grape soda the other day, I used seltzer and it was awesome.
Processed a lot of grapes. Hooray.
http://nycgardening.blogspot.com/2010/09/canning-for-hours-and-hours.html
Found your post via twitter, and love this idea of fresh natural soda, and it is so pretty too.
This looks so nice and refreshing.
I love the idea of making these fruit concentrates and syrups.
A foodmill is next on my wish list.
And so healthy too!
That sounds so good! Your full of good ideas!