- Merrill
It's a sure sign that fall has arrived when the grape guys appear at my local greenmarket. They have giant tubs of different grape varieties -- all of which they let you sample -- in a wide spectrum of hues, from green to golden to deepest purple. The darkest of all are the Concord grapes, those round fat beauties with dusky skins that look as if they’ve just been frosted, and whose intense, not-at-all-sweet flavor has inspired legions of “grape” flavored candies, jellies and gum.
Recently, I decided that I like the flavor of Concord grapes most in drink form. Several years ago, I tested and loved this recipe from the New York Times Magazine, involving a heavily spiced grape purée to which you add vodka, lemon juice and soda water. Over the past few months, as a non-drinking mother-to-be (yes, the cat’s officially out of the bag, people!), I’ve been on the hunt for new and interesting -- and alcohol-free -- ways to imbibe. So I decided to make a Concord grape soda, inspired by the Times recipe. I cut back on the spices, opting for a just a little cinnamon because I wanted a purer grape flavor, and I upped the lemon juice, forgoing the vodka (but you don't have to!). This drink is refreshing, intensely grapey, and a sure herald of fall.
Concord Grape and Lemon Soda
Makes 6 drinks
- 2 lemons
- 1 pound Concord grapes, rinsed and stems removed
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
- Pinch salt
- Soda water
See the full recipe (and save and print it) here.
Like this post? See Merrill's post from last week: Lobster Diavolo
Photos by Jennifer Causey
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merrill
I'm a native New Yorker with over a decade of experience as a private chef, cooking instructor and food writer/editor; I have a culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu, as well as a highly practical BA in Comparative Literature (Italian and English). I live with my husband and daughter in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where we visit the farmers market most weekends.
Some past articles from this author you'll love:
A Potluck Lunch
Make-Ahead Meals
Feeding a New Family
61 Comments on Concord Grape and Lemon Soda:
Many many congratulations Merril what a happy time for you, enjoy it all
Congrats on the baby.
I forgot all about this grape drink. Thanks so much for the reminder. Everyone in my family had a grape arbor.
Besides making beautiful jelly, my mom made many jars of grape "base" and canned it in mason jars.
Then thru out the year we would be sent down to the cellar to get a jar. She would put some in a tall glass and add club soda or ginger ale to it sometimes with a wedge of lemon. As a kid I always thought it was so special. Now I have to find some grapes.
Congrats! That is wonderful news! Take naps now...
Merill!! Congratulations! (duh, missed this news until I saw the cream cheese cookie pics & wssmoms link!) We need to have a baby shower recipe theme one of these days!
Somehow I missed this last week, but this sounds delicious and wow, Congratulations, Merrill!! Such happy, exciting news - best wishes to you and your husband.
THANK YOU!!
This sounds wonderful...and please explore and share more non-alcoholic beverages!
As a teetotaler, i may be among the minority of the foodie world, but there are lots of us who must avoid alcohol--but we still enjoy interesting beverages. i am particularly fond of elderflower cordial--must pay big bucks to get it and am willing to. The "ginger swizzle" at Gramercy Tavern is one of the few mixed drinks i've ever been offered at a "good" restaurant--though i'm often offered interesting, unusual "sodas" at quirky joints.
Looking forward to more!
Best wishes :)
Looking forward to making this recipe and CONGRATULATIONS!
Meow!! Congratulations Merrill, and this sounds like an amazingly delicious drink, so fresh!
Congratulations, to you, Merrill. Made this syrup yesterday and it's fantastic. I'm thinking about all the other ways I might use this, starting with a little on some vanilla ice cream.
What happy news! Lots of love and luck to you, Merrill.
The soda looks delicious! Saving the recipe. I would love a recipe for Concord grape jelly - do you have any you like? Also going to try and freeze some - frozen grapes are yummy!
Congratulations Mama!!!! And the drink looks fab too!
many congratulations. i went to school in Fredonia, NY in the heart of Concord grape country - even working for one of my mom's friends in their vineyard. and we had a grape arbor that gave us grapes for jams at home on Shelter Island.
the soda looks good. have you thought about making it more of a spritzer? or playing around with some of the other grapes and adding flavors like lemongrass, ginger or key lime? am interested as i no longer drink alcohol.
Congratulations, Merrill! :) How far along are you?
Congratulations :)
While the smile on your face may be bigger, mine is pretty darned big. How fun to celebrate with you and your current and incipient family. And what burgeoning possibilities! I loved the craving suggestion, and I am also going to hope you will tackle the challenges of cooking when your pregnant self is suddenly adverse to what you know your shared body needs, home cooking as a new/working mother, and making terrific, palate-expanding baby food at home. Or not, as you see fit...>;)
Congratulations on your happy news. A toast to you with this wonderful looking concord grape and lemon soda (mine might have just a splash of vodka)!
Merrill, I am so happy for you! The grape soda looks delicious.
So very happy for you, Merrill!
Wow, great news! May it be a healthy and easy pregnancy for you & the little one.
Warmest congratulations Merrill! You guys should run a contest for pregnancy food cravings.
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 8 months agoHold that thought...
Wow! I didn't have too too much interest in grape soda, but took a look because of all the comments. Cheers, Merrill! (That's a non-alcoholic Cheers!) Best thing in the world.
give it bubbles with champagne yeast! here's a guideline for the meathod: http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Concord-Grape-Soda.
Congratulations Merrill! What wonderful news!
Congrats, Merrill - so exciting!
Congratulations, Merrill, to you and your hubby! You'll have to start a new project: BabyFood52!
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 8 months agoBrilliant idea!
That lucky baby is going to be eating the yummiest baby food around.
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 8 months agoNo pressure! :)
Congrat Merrill! So happy for you and Jonathan. Best to you!
Aw, congrats Merrill! That is super awesome news, and grape soda is on my must-make-soon list :)
Wow, warmest congratulations to you and your husband, Merrill! Such happy news. I love the look of this recipe and I intend to try it soon. I am always on the lookout for Concord grape recipes -- we have a Concord grape arbor in our backyard, and we usually have a bumper crop. That is, if the neighorhood raccoons don't get to them first!
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 8 months agoHow amazing. Do you make lots of jelly and jam?
Kari is the manager of Whisk, a kitchenware store in Brooklyn.
added 8 months agoSo excited for you, Merrill! Congratulations.
Yeah, Merrill! A big congrats to you. I wish you a comfortable and easy pregnancy (and same for delivery!). Cheers to you!
Congrats, Merrill..I hope your pregnancy goes as well as (both of) mine went. I never felt so good!
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I bought my first ever concords at the farmers mkt last week. They were seedless..how handy is that! The flavor and texture were identical to the seeded variety. I've always loved a wedge of lemon in any grape drink. I can't wait to try this recipe.
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 8 months agoWow, lucky you!
A bun in the oven---how wonderful, Merrill!! xo
How wonderful - I wish you a comfortable and uneventful time of it! Congratulations!
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 8 months agoThanks so much, everyone!
I knew it!!! Huge congrats to you, and enjoy the ride - it really does go by so fast :)
Congratulations Merrill!
Oh, such wonderful news. Warm congratulations to you all. And the soda looks wonderful in either version.
Congratulations Merrill!! So exciting...
Congratulations, Merrill! I've been up to my eyeballs in grapes this summer, too. Made a couple batches of grape conserve that turned out wonderful...
congratulations merrill!!
Congratulations, Merrill! And what an absolutely gorgeous color that final drink makes. What a beauty.
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Congratulations, Merrill!! I love concord grapes. Love to see more non-alcoholic beverages, too.
Congratulations, Merrill!
Yay Merrill! Congrats! Hope you're feeling good. I'm thrilled to have yet another delicious recipe for concord grapes - I actually just posted a focaccia using them on my blog. 'Tis the (fleetingly short) season.
Congrats again!
Delicious! Congrats Merrill!
Oh, how exciting! Congratulations! p.s. the drink looks great even without the booze!
Congratulations Merrill!!!!!! Love the concord grapes.
Lovely drink and warmest congratulations, so happy for you!
Oh my goodness!!!!! What an exciting cat to allow out! :) HUGE congratulations to you!!!! And, I now know what I'm going to do with the concord grapes that came in our CSA this week!
Many congrats Merrill -- that's wonderful news! The world definitely needs more interesting and fun drinks like this where you don't miss the alcohol! It looks perfect for fall.
Merrill! Congratulations!
This soda looks divine.
Congrats!
And this looks awesome.
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