The Soda Fountain Weekend List
While these days, a soda fountain may more closely resemble the soft drink dispenser found at greasy food joints, from the early-to-mid 20th century, a soda fountain was a single-spouted hand pump set atop the bar at pharmacies and ice-cream parlours.
Dispensing cool streams of bubbly soda water into sweet syrup, the soda fountain made ice-cream sodas possible – to the delight of wide-eyed children after school each day. Many locales serving soda soon expanded their menus, becoming lunch counters and, importantly, a public space for neighbours and the wider community to come together to socialise and exchange news.
Reinventing this drink of yesteryear is Six Barrel Soda Co.. Based in New Zealand, Six Barrel Soda Co. operates from its factory-turned-cafe in Wellington, where it turns natural ingredients into sweet syrups. Inspired by forgotten and seasonal flavours, the Six Barrel Soda Co. range includes the likes of hibiscus, ginger, kola nut and vanilla cream.
Further afield, Morris Kitchen makes a variety of classic and seasonal syrups in Brooklyn, New York, using local apples, rhubarb and honey. A dosage of one part syrup to five parts sparkling water is recommended to create a thirst-quenching concoction, perfect for enjoying in the fading afternoon sun on the deck. Locally, you can pick up a bottle of Six Barrel Co. tonic at Bread & Butter in Bulimba and Blackboard Grocer at Varsity Lakes. Alternatively, take a drive up the coast to collect a bottle of Morris Kitchen syrup from The Cooking Company in Noosa, making a few foodie stops along the way.
Head along to the Jan Power’s Farmers Markets at Brisbane Powerhouse this Saturday to pick up some fresh mint leaves and oranges to garnish one of these recipes (if you feel like adding a nip to your refreshing afternoon beverage), and pair your drink with a hearty slice of soda bread.
To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.
