La Croix etc.

Tim_McLoone_80828

Hey all,

We all know that La Croix just has "natural flavors" but I'm wondering how they actually do this. My shot in the dark would maybe by using a rotovap? Has anyone tried doing something like that?

Brandon_Byrd_40557

Their website says that the flavoring is from essential oils, which are usually extracted by either steam distillation or (in the case of citrus) pressing. But as everyone knows, you can't just add oil to water and expect things to work out. I don't know what the secret is there, but there's got to be some sort of emulsification process (or added chemical mojonation) that suspends the oil in the water. ALTHOUGH, the website technically says that their flavorings are " derived from the natural essence oils extracted from the named fruit" which is compatible with their being further processed into something different from the essential oil... but it would still be oil-soluble, and that wouldn't solve the problem. Perhaps they make an alcohol-oil solution and use that as the flavoring base. That's my guess. At any rate... I just put a drop or two of grapefruit essential oil in the bottom of a glass and pour in some bubbles from on-high. If you let it sit long enough, the oil will float to the top... but it's kinda in the ballpark. Pick up some food-grade citrus essential oil and experiment... maybe try mixing it in with some high-proof booze and see where that gets you.