{"id":"chinotto_3389864ab9","slug":"homemade-chinotto-soda","title":"Homemade Chinotto Soda","description":"A sophisticated, bittersweet Italian citrus soda made from caramelized sugar, aromatic spices, and chinotto (bitter) oranges. This homemade version captures the complex, herbal flavor of the iconic Italian beverage.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":60,"activeMinutes":30},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"4 Chinotto oranges (or Seville/bitter oranges)","name":"Chinotto Orange","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"zested and juiced","notes":"Seville or bitter oranges can be used as a substitute","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"200g granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"Used for caramel base","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"500ml water","name":"Water","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"For the syrup","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 cinnamon stick","name":"Cinnamon Stick","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"stick","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"3 whole cloves","name":"Cloves","quantity":3,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"clove","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 star anise","name":"Star Anise","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"15ml lemon juice","name":"Lemon Juice","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"freshly squeezed","notes":"","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1000ml sparkling water","name":"Sparkling water","quantity":1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"qt","form":"chilled","notes":"Used for final dilution","group":"Base","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from the oranges in wide strips, avoiding the white pith. Squeeze the juice from the oranges and set both zest and juice aside.","group":"Preparation","title":"Remove the zest from the oranges","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Place the sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt the sugar without stirring, swirling the pan occasionally, until it turns into a deep amber-colored caramel.","group":"Cooking","title":"Place the sugar in a medium saucepan","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Very carefully pour the water into the caramel. Be cautious as it will steam and sputter. Continue to heat and stir until the caramel has completely dissolved into the water.","group":"Cooking","title":"Very carefully pour the water","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the orange zest, orange juice, cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, and lemon juice to the saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the orange zest, orange juice, cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Simmer for 15 minutes to infuse the flavors. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool completely to room temperature.","group":"Infusing","title":"Simmer for 15 minutes","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Infusing"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Strain the cooled syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean glass bottle. Discard the solids. Refrigerate the syrup until cold.","group":"Finishing","title":"Strain the cooled syrup through a fine-mesh sieve","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"To serve, mix 1 part chinotto syrup with 2 parts chilled sparkling water in a glass with ice. Adjust the ratio to your preferred sweetness and bitterness.","group":"Serving","title":"To serve, mix 1 part chinotto syrup","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"Use organic oranges if possible since the zest is a key flavoring agent. The depth of color and bitterness comes from how far you take the caramel; aim for a deep amber without burning it.","cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Italian"]},"course":["drink"],"cookingMethod":["simmer"],"equipment":["saucepan","fine-mesh sieve","vegetable peeler","glass bottle"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":1.5,"unit":"l","note":"Total beverage volume after dilution"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The chinotto syrup can be prepared and kept in the refrigerator."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store the concentrated syrup in an airtight glass bottle in the fridge. Mix with carbonated water only when ready to serve.","reheatingNotes":""}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fchinotto_3389864ab9%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=aa7b502c-5eb3-4e67-9b53-21c68349189b","imageAlt":"Homemade Chinotto Soda — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["italian","drink","bitter","citrus","soda","refreshing","homemade","beverage"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Homemade Chinotto Soda","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T08:32:01.962Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T08:32:01.962Z","related":[{"id":"caffe_latte_0ad50dd834","slug":"caffe-latte","title":"Caffè Latte","description":"A smooth, creamy Italian classic featuring a rich shot of espresso combined with perfectly steamed milk and a delicate layer of foam.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":3,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Italian"]},"course":["drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcaffe_latte_0ad50dd834%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e4998eea-acd2-4107-b450-76b4c8cc3203","imageAlt":"Caffè Latte — recipe cover","tags":["coffee","latte","steamed milk","italian drink","caffeine","morning routine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":2,"stepCount":3},{"id":"caffe_macchiato_c819ed7d24","slug":"caffe-macchiato","title":"Caffè Macchiato","description":"A classic Italian coffee ritual consisting of a bold shot of espresso 'marked' with a delicate dollop of velvety frothed milk.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":3,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Italian"]},"course":["drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","low_carb","egg_free","soy_free","nut_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcaffe_macchiato_c819ed7d24%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=24b28f6f-fe60-4fc7-bdd9-47b49fff4adf","imageAlt":"Caffè Macchiato — recipe cover","tags":["coffee","espresso","italian","morning","caffeine","beverage"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":2,"stepCount":3},{"id":"cappuccino_b8879d842f","slug":"cappuccino","title":"Cappuccino","description":"A perfectly balanced Italian classic consisting of rich espresso, velvety steamed milk, and a thick layer of airy milk foam.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":7,"activeMinutes":7},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Italian"]},"course":["drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcappuccino_b8879d842f%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=69090e19-d8f9-4cb2-9b25-74b068d646c1","imageAlt":"Cappuccino — recipe cover","tags":["coffee","espresso","italian","morning","caffeine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":2,"stepCount":3}]}