Food52: Concord Grape and Lemon Soda

Yesterday we got a blast of a cold front.  I actually had to wear a sweater when I left my apartment.  And the whole time I'm thinking, it's a bit early for it to get cold.  I'm scared of a hard, long winter.  My frozen fingers can't take it.  Luckily, it's right back to being hot and muggy today.  That didn't last long, did it?  So of course I need a refreshing drink while the heat lasts.  Concord grapes, take two.  And...it's delicious.  I'm beginning to think Concord grapes were just meant to be drinks.

Concord Grape and Lemon Soda
From Food52

2 lemons
1 pound Concord grapes, rinsed and stems removed
½ cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
Pinch salt
Soda water

Zest and juice 1 lemon and put the zest in a heavy, wide saucepan. Set the juice aside. Add the grapes, sugar, cinnamon stick, salt and 2 tablespoons of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and cook gently over medium-low heat until the grapes have all broken down, about 20 minutes. Let cool. Press the grapes and juice through a fine mesh sieve until you have a smooth puree (you should have about ¾ cup). Discard the grape seeds and peels left in the sieve, as well as the cinnamon stick.

To make the soda: Cut the second lemon into thin wedges. Put several ice cubes in each of 6 tumblers. Add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of the grape puree to each glass. Fill with soda water and stir gently to combine. Add a lemon wedge to each glass and serve, with stirrers if you have them.

Makes 6 drinks