Draw Straws!

Not all sodas are created equal.

In fact, never have there been so many lip-smacking options for fruit-based, fructose-free, handcrafted colas. Artisanal sodas have gone from trend to bona fide beverage platform—no longer is there any need to satisfy a craving for something fizzy with some sort of mass-produced Coca Cola product.

Here are five Park Slope pit stops offering guilt-free fizz.

“This is as simple as it gets,” said the bartender at this South Slope spot as he handed me a tall, icy glass of their Lemon Soda (stirred to order!). A well-balanced combination of lemon juice, simple syrup and soda water, it’s the bubbly, better-looking younger sister to summer’s most ubiquitous refreshment: lemonade.

Owner Justin Philips tries to periodically rotate out the flavor of his single soda tap to feature seasonal selections at his restaurant/bar on Seventh Avenue near 14th Street. But he repeatedly returns to his perennial favorite, Brooklyn Soda Works’ Apple Ginger. Made from fresh fruit juice with a hit of heat and a splash of bubbles, it’s pretty darn addictive.

The newly opened Seventh Avenue outpost of the organic burger micro-chain offers—what else—organic, evaporated cane juice-based colas to complement its puritanical patties. Three fancy Maine Root flavors available on tap include Lemon-Lime, Mandarin Orange and Blueberry. Mmmm.

Franny’s

Is there anything the good people of Franny’s can’t make from scratch? While you ponder the improbability, have a slug of one of the Flatbush Avenue eatery's house-made sodas. Lemon and Tonic, Cucumber or Celery, take your pick!

Inspired to swirl up some switchels at home? Grab, on Seventh Avenue near 15th Street, has got it covered. Novices can begin by experimenting with the extensive line of P&H Soda Co. syrups available. “But the biggest thing we sell to serious soda makers are bitters,” says sales rep Andrew Siskin. “They add a more complex element to your drink and we have nine different flavors to choose from.” For home delivery of superior seltzer, Siskin recommends Ronny “The Seltzer Man” Beberman, one of Brooklyn’s oldest and most ornery deliverers of Brooklyn-brewed seltzer. But he can be difficult to track down (try: 718 464-6408). Another alternative is Walter Backerman (mrbubbles105@cs.com or call 718-468-4047).