Pine Soda
makes one bottle, 2 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 Cups White Pine needles
2½ Cup bottled or filtered water
4 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 Liter sized pop-top glass bottle (Do NOT use plastic)
METHOD
1. Collect pine needles from white pine trees (See Note 1).
2. Remove woody ends from the pine needles.
3. Put pine needles in a large bowl, immerse them with cold water, gently wash and drain 3 times.
4. Spread washed pine needles on a wire rack, let dry on your countertop for about 1 hour.
5. Place pine needles and sugar in a pop-top glass bottle
6. Fill the bottle with filtered or bottled water.
7. Close the lid and give the bottle a good shake, so that the sugar is distributed evenly.
8. See the bottle at room temperature but out of direct sunlight for 3 days.
9. After 3 days, open the bottle and serve the pine needle soda over ice. Stir and enjoy.
NOTES
1. White Pine needles taste the best. You can identify them by the fact that they have 5 long needles growing in clusters.