Jim wrote:
> I can carbonate my water with a 20 pound tank of carbon dioxide,
> but I'm having trouble flavoring this naturally carbonated soda water.
>
> I tried zesting lemons & oranges in vodka to make lemon & orange
> extract, but the flavor isn't strong enough for a natural soda at
> home.
>
> Any ideas for natural flavors for soda water at home?

You have to experiment, I'm afraid. One question I have is whether your
desired result is more like commercial "flavored selzer" or commercial
soda? Since you're making it yourself, you can have either or anywhere
in between.

Our most successful experiment has been cream soda, which is vanilla
soda with, or without, the addition of a small amount of milk or cream.
We use a simple recipe - simple syrup and vanilla extract in a 4:1
ratio, e.g., 1 cup of simple syrup (prepared from 1 cup of water and 1
cup of sugar) plus 1/4 cup of vanilla extract (store bought, homemade,
or some combination thereof). It's yummy and you can use a lot less
vanilla extract and it will still taste pretty good.

Any sort of fruit juice added to your carbonated water will make a
lovely soda, too, e.g., orange juice.

I confess absolutely no experience with flavored soda water (as opposed
to soda) - if that's what you're after, you're on your own.

-S-