This starfruit soda recipe is a great way to use fresh tropical fruit in an unexpected way! With over 10 years experience of making beverages, I can tell you that you do not need to be a Michelin chef to get super creative in the kitchen. Homemade soda pops are one of my favorite ways to experiment with new flavors! All you need to make this soda is a batch of this starfruit simple syrup, and you’re good to go!
💕 why you’ve gotta make this starfruit soda recipe…
🌴 tropical & refreshing. Starfruit is in peak season in the US from late winter to mid spring, but you can sometimes find the fruits at your local grocery store all through summer! This soda is the perfect way to quench your thirst on a warm spring or hot summer day.
🙌 super simple. Homemade soda pop is way easier to make than you may think, especially when you’ve perfected making simple syrups at home. You don’t even need any special equipment!
🥳 family fun. Starfruit is a truly special fruit, but a lot of folks aren’t sure what to make with it. This soda is the perfect way to try a fruit that might be new-to-you, or your friends and family!
🛒 ingredients
- starfruit simple syrup – this starfruit simple syrup is the key to this soda! Starfruit is light and tropical in flavor, similar to an apple or pear crossed with citrus.
- soda water – this recipe calls for plain unflavored soda water, which is carbonated water. Sparkling mineral water has the addition of minerals, as the name suggests, which impact the taste of the water as well. In order to keep the flavor focus on the starfruit in the recipe, I recommend sticking with unflavored soda water, or regular unflavored sparkling water (also sometimes called seltzer water).
- starfruit – fresh starfruit serves as a garnish for the soda. Choose a fruit that is deep yellow in color, it’ll have a sweeter, less sour taste.
- ice – if you’re new here, you might be surprised to see ice listed as an ingredient. 😅 But I’m super passionate about ice as an ingredient, because it REALLY does impact the soda! Soda is better when it’s ice cold, it helps retain proper carbonation and flavor! Of course, you can also make your own starfruit ice cubes for extra flair!
See the recipe card for the exact quantities.
🍳 instructions
1: Fill your chosen glass with ice halfway, then add in slices of starfruit along the edge.
2: Fill your glass the rest of the way with ice.
3: Pour in the starfruit simple syrup.
4: Top with soda water until the glass is full.
5: Garnish each drink with a slice of starfruit.
6: Serve your sodas immediately!
Hint: Want more flavor? You can add as much or as little syrup as you like!
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💡tips & tricks for getting it right
🍽️ serving tips
Garnish
- This drink is garnished with a few slices of starfruit inside each glass, which creates a super fun presentation for your guests!
- It also has a fresh starfruit slice on the rim of the glass.
- If you don’t have extra fresh starfruit, you can use dehydrated starfruit to garnish your soda!
ℹ️ troubleshooting tips
- not enough flavor – if your soda doesn’t have enough flavor, you can add more simple syrup to intensify the taste.
⚖️ scaling tips
One of the best ways to set your party apart from others is to make homemade soda for a crowd! You can buy 2-liters of soda water, pour a bit out (or have a glass of plain soda water!), and add in your simple syrup.
In a matter of moments, you’re ready to serve a crowd!
♻️ substitutions & variations
Missing an ingredient? No problem. Check out these tried-and-true substitutions, or comment below with your question. I’m here to help you troubleshoot!
- tropical punch – starfruit is light in flavor, but it also mixes nicely with other tropical fruits like pineapple and mango! Try mixing up a soda using both pineapple syrup and starfruit syrup for a unique tropical punch soda!
- spike your soda – make your soda a cocktail by adding in an ounce of your favorite liquor. Vodka, Rum, or Tequila would work very well in this soda!
🧰 equipment needed & storage tips
🧰 tools needed
- drinking glasses – soda can glasses are a great choice for this starfruit soda recipe, but you can use whatever drinking glasses you have on hand!
- straw – you can get really creative with your straws, adding a layer of fun for your friends and family. I love using these silicone straws from GIR co. They clean up easy, are dishwasher safe, and come in so many fun colors. Some even glow in the dark!
- cocktail mixing spoon – a cocktail spoon is a mixing spoon with a longer than normal handle. This is super useful when mixing beverages because it allows you to mix easily without getting your hand into the soda!
🫙 tips for storing leftover starfruit soda
It is best to consume this soda shortly after drinking it because of the bubbles. If you are not serving it right away after making it, be sure to store it in an airtight container like these bottles from Bormioli Rocco that have stoppers.
Use caution when opening the bottles after storage— carbonation can build up in the bottle which can cause the top to burst off.
💬 q+a
What does starfruit taste like?
Starfruit has a mild tropical flavor that is like a cross between an apple or pear, grapes, and citrus such as an orange. The texture resembles a crisp apple. When the fruits are green or light yellow, they can be more sour. When they are deep yellow or brown, they are sweeter in taste.
If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I read every single comment! I also love connecting on social media, so snap a pic and hashtag it #myrecipeforfun and tag me on Instagram, TikTok, or pin this recipe on Pinterest!
Homemade Starfruit Soda (Carambola Soda)
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Equipment
- 1 drinking glass
- 1 straw
- 1 cocktail stirring spoon
- 1 pairing knife or chefs knife, for slicing starfruit
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 ounce starfruit simple syrup
- 10 ounces soda water
- 1 starfruit
- ice
Instructions
- Wash and dry the starfruit. Cut as many slices as you need for garnishes about 1/4 inch thick. Slice the remaining fruit as thin as you can while still remaining whole. The thinner the slices, the more light will be able to shine through the slices!
- Fill your chosen glass with ice halfway, then add in slices of starfruit along the inner edges of the glass.
- Fill your glass the rest of the way with ice, and add in the starfruit simple syrup.
- Top with soda water until the glass is full.
- Garnish each drink with a slice of starfruit.
- Pop a straw into each glass.
- Serve your sodas immediately!
Nutrition Information
The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.
