Summary
Highlights
The duo decides to create their own soda, starting by identifying the perfect flavor palette. They taste-test various sodas, aiming for a blend of sourness, fruity crispness, and cola complexity. They experiment with different fruits. A small amount of syrup is created.
They create four syrups, some delicious, some not so much. They test the syrups with Seltzer, achieving promising results but needing more sweetness. A quick simple syrup recipe is mixed, and the first version of their soda is made, but is missing something.
They decide to use higher quality ingredients, including citric acid to add sourness and shelf-stable syrups for easier flavoring. They prepare to bottle their improved soda and figure out how to carbonate them.
Using a baking soda and citric acid reaction to pressurize the bottles, they successfully carbonate their soda. After many failed attempts, they nail the formula. The mixture sits in the fridge.
After hours of work, they try their homemade creation, which is fizzy, tart and flavorful. They name it 'Pallet Punch' and design a label with hidden jokes. Friends and family test the formula.
The creators contact a bottling company and flavor labs to explore FDA approval. They speak with Sarah from Beck Flavors who offers to reproduce the flavor for free, under the condition they purchase the syrup only from them. The team sends two of their best bottles to Beck Flavors.
The duo visits Beck Flavors in St. Louis, touring the facility and meeting with Lena, the R&D sample coordinator. They see the canning plant and visit the additive lab. They try a second prototype made by Adam, determining that it is spot on.
With the recipe finalized, they plan to send it to the FDA for approval. They reveal new art for the canned version and ask viewers to comment if they'd like to try Pallet Punch.