If you grew up in the early 2010s, you probably have fond memories of watching the Nickelodeon sitcom Sam & Cat. The show followed two best friends, Sam and Cat, who formed an after-school babysitting business together. One of the most iconic parts of the show was the duo’s favorite soda, Blue Dog Soda. Sam and Cat were obsessed with these electric blue soft drinks and were always cracking open a can or bottle during their adventures.
Now you can recreate this fizzy blast Sam & Cat Blue Dog Soda Recipe! It captures the color and flavor of Sam and Cat’s beloved beverage.
So, lets make the drink together…..
Why We Love This Nostalgic Blue Drink
Firstly, it tastes amazing! Our homemade blue dog soda has a delicious lemon-lime flavor with a fun pop of blueberry from the food coloring. The combination of sweet and tart is very refreshing.
Additionally, it’s super fun to make. Mixing up the electric blue color is enjoyable, and you can get creative with how you serve it. The soda also bubbles up nicely when you first pour yourself a glass, which adds to the excitement.
Finally, it’s a dose of childhood nostalgia. Many millennials recall watching and rewatching Sam & Cat episodes after school. Sipping this soda brings back those feelings of fun and carefree afternoons. It’s a bubbly blast from the past!
How Does This Blue Soda Taste?
Our homemade soda has a bright, fizzy flavor with citrus notes. The lemon-flavored iced tea provides a tangy base. Then the honey, sugar, and blue food coloring build in sweetness and that signature Sam & Cat color.
Finally, the sparkling water gives it carbonation. The result is a sweet-tart drink with flavors reminiscent of blueberries, lemons, and lime. It starts out sweet and smooth, then ends with a zing. Feel free to tweak the recipe based on your preferences too!
How to Make Blue Dog Soda at Home
Making this only requires a few ingredients and steps. Here is what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- Iced tea (lemon-flavored)
- Sparkling water (2-liter bottle)
- Honey
- Sugar
- Blue food coloring
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Long mixing spoon
- Measuring cups
- Glasses or bottles for serving
Instructions:
- Pour Lemon-Flavored Iced Tea:
- Start by pouring the lemon-flavored iced tea into a large mixing bowl. The choice of iced tea with lemon flavor is based on personal preference.
- Add Sparkling Water:
- Open the 2-liter bottle of sparkling water and add it to the iced tea in the mixing bowl. Using a larger bottle is recommended for convenience.
- Include Honey:
- Add a generous amount of honey to the mixture. The quantity is not specified in the transcript, so you can adjust it based on your sweetness preference.
- Incorporate Sugar:
- Incorporate a substantial amount of sugar into the mixture. The video suggests adding a significant amount because Blue Dog Soda was known for its high sugar content.
- Add Blue Food Coloring:
- Introduce a few drops of blue food coloring to achieve the iconic blue color of Blue Dog Soda. Add more drops if needed to achieve the desired hue.
- Mix Thoroughly:
- Mix all the ingredients thoroughly. The video suggests that there are no exact measurements, so feel free to adjust the quantities based on personal taste.
- Taste and Adjust:
- Once the mixture is well-combined, you can taste and make adjustments if necessary. The goal is to create a sweet, carbonated, and vibrant blue soda.
- Serve or Refrigerate:
- Serve the Blue Dog Soda over ice or refrigerate it for a chilled experience.
Special Notes
Here are a few tips for perfect blue dog soda every time:
- Make sure your iced tea is unsweetened to control the sweetness level.
- Let the soda chill for at least 1 hour so the flavors blend.
- Add the honey slowly until the desired sweetness is reached.
- Use plain food coloring gels for the smoothest, most vibrant blue color.
- Reuse plastic soda bottles for easy portability on the go.
- Adjust the recipe based on your tastes – more or less sweetener, more or less color, etc.
Variations to Try
While we love the classic recipe, you can put your own spin on blue dog soda:
- Use lemonade instead of lemon tea for a more pronounced citrus taste
- Add fresh squeezed lime juice for extra zing
- Use different flavors of tea like peach or raspberry
- Blend in berry or tropical fruit purees for a fruitier soda
- Make “green dog soda” with lime tea and green food coloring
- Add a splash of vanilla or almond extract
- Use stevia instead of sugar for a no-calorie option
- Pour over vanilla ice cream for a bright “blue” float
Serving Suggestions
Beyond sipping this soda over ice, here are creative ways to serve it:
- Craft soda floats – Pour blue dog soda over vanilla ice cream for a layered effect. Top with whipped cream!
- Cocktail mixer – Use in place of lemon-lime soda in vodka sodas or rum and cokes.
- Slushies/snow cones – Blend or pour blue dog soda over shaved ice for a slushy treat.
- Mocktails – For kids’ parties, mix soda with juices like orange juice or pineapple juice.
- Popsicles – Freeze soda mixture into molds for fizzy, colorful pops.
- Cake/cupcakes – Use to make blue-tinted batters and frostings. Play with ombre techniques.
- Soda bread – Add to bread dough along with lemon zest for a sweet twist.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Soda
To store leftover homemade soda:
- Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 5 days. The carbonation may weaken over time.
- Freeze extra soda in ice cube trays or popsicle molds for up to 2 months.
To reheat leftover soda:
- Heat individual portions in the microwave for 30 seconds, or until warmed through.
- For batches, warm in a saucepan over medium heat, taking care not to boil.
FAQs
How long does the homemade soda keep?
The soda will stay fizzy and fresh in the fridge for 5-7 days. The colors may start to fade after that. For longer storage, freeze soda in ice cubes or popsicle molds.
What if I don’t have lemon iced tea?
You can use regular lemonade instead. Or make citrus simple syrup from lemons, limes, and sugar. Just reduce the extra sweeteners called for if using a presweetened lemonade.
Is this soda kid friendly?
Absolutely! It has no caffeine and is fun for kids’ birthday parties. But because it’s sugary, limit intake for little ones. Make a “mocktail” by diluting it with seltzer water.
What gives the soda its blue color?
Plain blue food coloring is used to achieve that bright electric blue. For all-natural color, use butterfly pea flower powder or blue spirulina powder instead.
Can I make this soda alcohol?
Yes! For “blue dog cocktails,” add a shot of vodka or rum to your glass. It also works well as a mixer with gin or tequila. Always drink responsibly.
How can I carbonate it naturally?
You can use a SodaStream machine to carbonate water, then mix everything together. Or look up DIY carbonation methods using yeast. This adds light effervescence without artificial carbonation.
Sam & Cat Blue Dog Soda Recipe
Bring back childhood memories with this easy homemade Sam & Cat Blue Dog Soda Recipe. Learn how to make the iconic fizzy blue drink at home!
Ingredients
- Iced tea (lemon-flavored)
- Sparkling water (2-liter bottle)
- Honey
- Sugar
- Blue food coloring
Instructions
- Start by pouring the lemon-flavored iced tea into a large mixing bowl. The choice of iced tea with lemon flavor is based on personal preference.
- Open the 2-liter bottle of sparkling water and add it to the iced tea in the mixing bowl. Using a larger bottle is recommended for convenience.
- Add a generous amount of honey to the mixture. The quantity is not specified in the transcript, so you can adjust it based on your sweetness preference.
- Incorporate a substantial amount of sugar into the mixture. The video suggests adding a significant amount because Blue Dog Soda was known for its high sugar content.
- Introduce a few drops of blue food coloring to achieve the iconic blue color of Blue Dog Soda. Add more drops if needed to achieve the desired hue.
- Mix all the ingredients thoroughly. The video suggests that there are no exact measurements, so feel free to adjust the quantities based on personal taste.
- Once the mixture is well-combined, you can taste and make adjustments if necessary. The goal is to create a sweet, carbonated, and vibrant blue soda.
- Serve the Blue Dog Soda over ice or refrigerate it for a chilled experience.
Conclusion
Relive fond memories of Sam and Cat’s bubbly blue soda with our simple recipe. It has that signature electric color and sweet lemon-lime taste. Whip up a batch for your next game night, birthday party, or while binge watching Nickelodeon classics.
Adjust the ingredients to create your perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Get creative with personalized flavors too. Pour over ice or mix into cocktails for a flavorful blast from the past. Stay tuned for more posts inspired by our favorite childhood shows!
