“When you asked if I wanted something bubbly, I wasn’t expecting a soda. I was expecting something with a little more… bite.”

“But this drink reminds me of you, Sylus. It’s smooth and sweet.”

“Oh? Then you should savor it slowly, sweetie. That’s how I like to be enjoyed.”

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The warm weather has come in strong, and I’m ready for some refreshing drinks for this fresh batch of sunlight.

I wanted to create a drink inspired by Sylus of Love and Deepspace, focusing on his black and red aesthetic.

I thought about a Shirley Temple Black, but honestly, that felt more like a Gilbert von Obsidian drink, since Gilbert is an odd combination of childlike and dangerous.

But I love a good strong black tea, and that reminds me of Sylus more than alcohol. Black tea is versatile, smooth, and strong, just like Sylus.

Alongside a splash of bubbles for sophistication, and a hint of strawberry syrup because of his enchanting eyes, I think this Sylus Sparkler is a perfect drink to represent Sylus on a summer’s day.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup of black tea, STRONGLY brewed (I used Prince of Wales black tea – my favorite black tea)

1/2 cup of club soda (for an unsweetened drink) or a clear lemon-lime soda, like Sprite (for a sweetened drink)

1-2 tablespoons of strawberry syrup, like Torini or Marie Brizard

INSTRUCTIONS

• Brew a strong cup or pitcher of black tea and let it cool. (I usually make a big pitcher with 2-3 tea bags and put it in the fridge overnight, leaving the tea bags in.)
• Add 1 cup of black tea to a glass, then add 1/2 cup of a clear fizzy soda. Club soda is great if you want low-calorie, low-sugar. Lemon lime sodas like 7-Up or Sprite are great if you want a sweeter pick-me-up.
• Add 1-2 tablespoons of strawberry syrup for a fruity kick. You can also try cherry, raspberry, or grenadine syrup.

Notes

Q: Can I use any black tea?

Absolutely! But I recommend a strong black tea, not a light black tea because the sparkling soda will overthrow it if it’s too light. The first time I made it, I used a decaf vanilla black tea, but it was too subtle. The harder the black tea, the better.

Q: Can I make it a cocktail?

Of course! I can’t stop you. I add dark rum to everything and anything, but you might want to try using 1oz of vodka or gin instead.

Q: Can I use sweetened tea black tea?

Sure! But if you use sweetened tea, I recommend only using club soda, and also using less syrup, or else it’s going to be too sugary.