Yoda soda

What a lovely limey shade!—Yoda image from Tim Ketzer, as used in “Star Wars”

Soda might taste good but the science cannot be ignored.  It’s bad for your innards. Drink water, instead.

For those good times when you want something special, though, here’s a recipe you might like. It’s perfect for the hot weather (should it ever arrive…). Or mix up a big bowlful for Christmas… Yoda Soda is as lovely a shade of Yule-tide green as Yoda’s complexion!

Yoda Soda Punch

To make a single serving

• Take ¼ c fresh lime juice (squeeze 2 or 3 limes into a tall glass).
• Add a couple of spoons of fine sugar and mix well to dissolve it.
• Put a couple of ice cubes in the glass, then fill three-quarters full with soda water.
• Taste and add more sugar if you want.
• Drink immediately, or add a scoop of sorbet. Lime or lemon flavor makes a  good choice for this summer-time treat.

Stevia works well in this recipe

This is one recipe that takes well to replacing some or all of the sugar with the natural sweetener stevia. Stevia is such a strong sweetener that you have to be super careful about the amount you use.  I like to use liquid Stevia in drinks. Start with 3 to 6 drops in a glassful and add more if you need to.

For an adult version of this drink i.e., an alcoholic one), try this recipe from  Savory Simple.

Adults can enjoy Yoda Soda (on the right), too!

The Star Wars Cook Book

Yoda soda is only one recipe in a fleet of fun cooking ideas for explorers of man’s last frontier, from The Star Wars Cook Book. You can probably adapt many of the recipes to reduce the amount of fat and sugar in each serving.  Some of the recipes in The Star Wars Cook Book, though, sound delicious and would make healthy eating just as they are – like Greedo’s Burritos made with lean ground beef, tomatoes, lettuce and black beans, or Wampa snow cones from the ice planet Hoth, which features the super-food blueberries.

Like any cookbook, you have to pick and choose to stay on the path to healthy meals. But The Star Wars Cook Book  makes food reading fun and offers lots of suggestions for happy eating. May the force bless your table!

PS – Photo is from Ketzer.com.

Related

• Stevia’s a real sweetheart – Even the kids should be able to understand why Vinny thinks artificial sweeteners are a no-no. Learn here why Stevia is a better choice for a no-calorie natural sweetener.
• Stevia story: Sand castles and cookies – Cooking with Stevia takes a little practice. But the low-sugar desserts you get are worth the effort. In no time, you’ll be a pro! Read here for some tips and try a great recipe for sugarless sugar cookies.
• The Star Wars Cook Book: Wookiee Cookies and Other Galactic Recipes – Get more great recipes here. Robin Davis, Chronicle Books 1998.