This DIY soda is as divinely creamy as the classic original and naturally sweetened with a dynamic blend. Fresh vanilla bean and a touch of cinnamon open up a depth of flavor and cream of tartar lends a luscious mouth feel.

Yields: 6 servings

Love the fizzy stuff but hate lugging home cases of seltzer? A carbonation system in the next best thing to a personal soda fountain. Owning a machine like the SodaStream ($79-199, sodastream.com) can save you money in the long run, and your drink will be ready in about a minute.

INGREDIENTS:

2 heaping Tbsp raisins
1 6-inch vanilla bean
1 3-inch cinnamon stick
7 tablespoons maple syrup
½ cup brown sugar
3 cups filtered water
¼ tsp cream of tartar

Seltzer or soda water

PROCEDURE:

Put raisins, vanilla bean, cinnamon stick, maple syrup, brown sugar, and water in a medium saucepan. Cover and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 40 minutes, or until liquid has reduced in half. Remove from heat and let cool until comfortable to handle. Pour through a strainer and discard solids.
Mix in cream of tartar until dissolved and chill in a sealed glass jar in the fridge.

SERVICE

Pour 1/4 cup syrup in a tall glass, top with 6 to 8 oz chilled seltzer or soda water, and stir.

LEFTOVER STORAGE

Store syrup in a sealed glass jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Makes 6 servings. Per serving: 110 cal, 0 g fat, 27 g carbs, 5 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 0 g protein