Cel-Ray Soda
A curiously refreshing, golden-hued soda with a gentle celery seed aroma and bright citrus backbone. This homemade tribute to New York's iconic Dr. Brown's deli classic balances earthy spice with just enough sweetness and fizz. Perfect alongside a pastrami on rye or as a stand-alone retro treat.
For 4 servings
- boil · ~10 min
Make the celery seed syrup.
1.Combine 2 cups water, sugar, celery seeds, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.2.Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.3.Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 8 minutes until the liquid is fragrant and slightly thickened.TIPDon't boil too vigorously — a gentle simmer extracts the celery flavor without making the syrup bitter. - prep · ~15 min
Strain and cool the syrup.
1.Remove the saucepan from heat.2.Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl, discarding the celery seeds.3.Let the syrup cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes. - mix · ~1 min
Mix the soda base.
1.Pour the cooled celery syrup into a pitcher.2.Add the fresh lemon juice and stir well. - mix · ~1 min
Add the sparkling water and serve.
1.Gently pour the chilled sparkling water into the pitcher.2.Stir once or twice to combine — don't over-stir or you'll lose the fizz.3.Pour into 4 ice-filled glasses.TIPPour the sparkling water down the side of the pitcher to preserve as much carbonation as possible.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Simmer the syrup gently, not at a rolling boil, to avoid extracting bitter compounds from the celery seeds.
- 2Let the syrup cool completely before adding sparkling water, or the heat will kill the carbonation.
- 3For a clearer soda, strain the syrup through a cheesecloth-lined sieve to remove fine seed particles.
- 4Chill the syrup and sparkling water thoroughly before mixing; cold liquids hold fizz better.
- 5To store, keep the celery syrup in a sealed bottle in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and mix with sparkling water fresh.
- 6Adjust sweetness by adding more or less lemon juice to balance the sugar to your taste.
Adapt it for your goals.
Low-sugar
Replace sugar with a monk fruit or allulose blend to reduce calories while keeping sweetness; adjust the amount to taste as these sweeteners vary in intensity.
spiced versionSpiced version
Add a 1-inch piece of ginger or a star anise pod to the syrup while simmering for a warm, aromatic twist that complements the celery seed.
grapefruit tangGrapefruit-tang
Swap the lemon juice for an equal amount of fresh pink grapefruit juice for a less acidic, slightly bitter citrus note that pairs well with celery.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Low in Calories
Each serving contains about 50 calories from sugar, making it a lighter alternative to commercial sodas.
Digestive Aid
Celery seeds have been traditionally used to support digestion and reduce bloating, thanks to their natural compounds.
No Artificial Additives
Made from pantry ingredients with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, unlike many store-bought sodas.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but use only 1 teaspoon ground celery seed and strain through a very fine sieve, as ground seeds will make the syrup cloudy.
