Need to quench your thirst, and only a particularly sweet drink will do the trick? This refreshing copycat Sonic ocean water is just the thing. It’s a sweet, slightly fizzy drink with notes of lemon lime & coconut in a pretty blue hue. It’s the perfect shirley temple cocktail for Spring & Summer sipping!
Despite its name, Sonic’s ocean water tastes nothing like the actual ocean. Which is probably a good thing.
But it is blue in color, with a tangy flavor and a hint of coconut.
And let me just say, that Sonic hit the nail on the head with this one.
The ocean water is arguably one of the best drinks they offer, and it’s pretty unique to them as well. At least I haven’t seen anything like it anywhere else. It’s just so refreshing.
One sip and you won’t be able to stop the ‘ahhhhhh’ from happening after downing that first taste. You might even find yourself staring at your glass wondering how so much flavor got into one little cup.
It’s a perfect little shirley temple summer cocktail for kids and adults to enjoy.
What Is Sonic Ocean Water Made Of?
When the hot weather hits a refreshing cooler really hits the spot, and this blue drink is just the perfect thing!
It’s easier than you’d think to whip together too!
That beautiful blue hue? That’s all from a couple judicious drops of blue food coloring.
The flavor? Well that is from three key ingredients: a simple syrup made from the combination of water & white sugar, lemon lime soda, and a few drops of coconut extract.
How To Make
This simple refreshment is super easy to whip up!
Start by adding equal parts sugar and water to a small, microwave safe mixing bowl.
Whisk together, and heat again (if needed), until they sugar’s dissolved into the water. This is called a simple syrup. Pour the syrup into a large pitcher.
Crack two 12 ounce cans of lemon lime soda, let them rest for 2-3 minutes. This will help some of the carbonation reduce.
Pour the soda, one can at a time, slowly into the pitcher with the simple syrup. Pouring too fast may result in foaming up.
Once all the soda’s in the pitcher with the syrup, whisk it together until smooth and evenly incorporated.
Add the coconut extract and your desired amount of blue food coloring. Lightly mix to combine.
Pour into glasses over ice, and serve immediately.
Do I Have To Use Food Coloring?
No, you do not. This copycat ocean water is just as refreshing without any food coloring added.
What the food coloring does do is add a fun element to enjoy. It doesn’t add to, or alter, the taste in any way.
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
I don’t recommend making this drink ahead of time as the soda will lose carbonation as it sits.
If you don’t like flat soda, then this less than bubbly drink won’t be a hit.
Other Drinks To Enjoy
The delicious result of this Sonic ocean water copycat is a pretty blue drink that quite literally tastes like ocean water. Not the salty kind straight from the sea, but the shirley temple version straight from the nearest restaurant situated on the pier.
It’s a cool water refresher with a taste of Island breeze in a glass, and it’s amazing.
Are you looking for other refreshing drinks for Summer sipping? Try one of these:
- Copycat Sonic Strawberry Limeade
- Peach Tea Recipe
- Copycat Baja Blast Recipe
- Instant Pot Southern Style Sweet Tea
- Southern Strawberry Iced Tea
- Instant Pot Lemonade
If you’ve tried this COPY CAT SONIC OCEAN WATER, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
Copy Cat Sonic Ocean Water
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp of regular white sugar
- 4 tbsp of water
- 24 oz of lemon-lime soda 2 – 12 oz cans works great!
- 1 1/2 tsp of coconut extract
- 3 drops of blue food coloring
Instructions
- In a microwave safe bowl, mix the sugar and water and heat for 30 seconds in the microwave. This should dissolve most of the sugar.
- Alternatively, heat the water and sugar over medium low heat, stirring until most of the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the sugar mixture to the lemon-lime soda, coconut extract and food coloring to a pitcher and mix gently. Allow the mixture to cool slightly if warm or hot.
- Serve over ice and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Audrey says
I forwarded a link to my daughter Emily, who loves Ocean Water. Thanks!
4 Sons 'R' Us says
No problem, Audrey! Thanks for sharing it and so glad you know someone who will enjoy it 🙂
GFLife247 says
I love these copy cat recipes, although I must admit that I’ve never had an Ocean Water. Maybe I’ll have to make this to find out what it tastes like! (I don’t even know where the closest Sonic is to me on this side of the coast. Of course, there are a ton when I live out west.) Happy FF, and have a fun weekend!
Jhuls says
I would like to dive into this. This is so cool and so refreshing. Happy FF & have a great weekend. 🙂 xx
cookingwithauntjuju.com says
Never heard of Ocean Water – guess I am missing something! Sure looks good though, even if it is “blue”. Thanks for bringing such a refreshing drink to FF 🙂
eclecticoddsnsods says
Despite its name, it tastes nothing like the ocean. Which is probably a good thing. But it is blue, with a tangy flavor and a hint of coconut. And let me just say, that Sonic hit the nail on the head with this one. – now that made me laugh. I have to say it looks great!
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake says
This looks awesome! I’ve never been to Sonic before so I’ve not tried their version of this, but yours looks and sounds delicious! I just love that colour too! It’s raining here, but I could easily pretend I’m by the beach with a cold glass of this!
Thanks for sharing with us at Fiesta Friday!