We love to go to Sonic as a family and get their fun drinks, and one of the family favs is Ocean Water. If you haven’t had it before, it’s a bright blue drink that tastes sweet, fizzy, and lightly tropical thanks to the coconut.
Best part is it’s quick to make and uses just a few simple ingredients. And with the light coconut flavor mixed with fizzy lemon-lime soda, it’s perfect for parties, summer time and baby showers.
Fortunately, this tastes just like the classic you get at Sonic, and we have tested this version several times to get that same sweet and refreshing flavor at home. Serve it with Sonic pebble ice for the most authentic experience.
If you love easy drink recipes, try our Strawberry Lemonade, Mint Julep, Homemade Punch, and Peach Smoothie. You can also find more easy drink ideas in our drinks collection.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Quick to Make: This drink comes together in just minutes with minimal effort.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and soda you can easily find anywhere.
- Light Coconut Flavor: The extract adds just the right hint without overpowering.
- Fizzy Finish: The soda gives it that refreshing carbonation everyone loves.
Ocean Water Drink Ingredients
Ingredient Purposes
- Water (⅔ cup): Helps dissolve the sugar to create a smooth simple syrup base.
- Sugar (⅔ cup): Sweetens the drink and gives it that classic Ocean Water flavor.
- Sprite or 7UP (1 liter): Adds the fizzy lemon-lime base that makes the drink refreshing.
- Coconut extract (1 tablespoon): Gives the signature tropical flavor that makes this drink stand out.
- Blue food coloring (to taste): Creates the fun ocean-inspired color that makes it feel special.
How to Make Sonic Ocean Water
SIMPLE SYRUP. Combine water and sugar in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 45 seconds, then stir until the sugar is dissolved.
COMBINE. Pour into a pitcher and add Sprite, coconut extract, and 3–4 drops of food coloring. Mix well.
CHILL. Add ice right before serving.
SERVE. It’s super fun to add Swedish fish to this drink. Not only is it cute, but you can eat the fish too! Here are a few other fun ways to serve this drink:
- Create ocean-shaped ice cubes. You can find several options on Amazon.
- Use a mini umbrella.
- Serve out of a coconut-shaped cup.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Fizz: Let the sugar mixture cool slightly before adding soda so it keeps its fizz. Stir gently after adding soda to keep it bubbly.
- Keep it Cool: Chill the soda beforehand for the best refreshing taste.
- Perfect Color: Start with a small amount of food coloring and add more as needed. You can leave out the blue food coloring without changing the flavor. For a natural color, use natural dye or a splash of blueberry juice.
- Sugar: Since the soda is already sweetened, easily reduce the amount of sugar added or try a sugar substitute.
- Coconut Extract: This is typically near the vanilla in the baking aisle. The extract is pretty strong. Not a coconut fan? Try pineapple extract instead.
- Serving Suggestions: There are so many fun ways to serve this up. Try adding Swedish Fish for the kids, adding a mini umbrella to each glass, serving out of a coconut-shaped cup, or using seashell or sea creature shaped molds to create ocean themed ice cubes.
Ocean Water Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup water
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 liter Sprite or 7UP
- 1 tablespoon coconut extract
- blue food coloring
Instructions
- Combine water and sugar in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 45 seconds, then stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Pour into a pitcher and add Sprite, coconut extract, and 3–4 drops of food coloring. Mix well.
- Add ice right before serving.
Notes
- Fizz: Let the sugar mixture cool slightly before adding soda so it keeps its fizz. Stir gently after adding soda to keep it bubbly.
- Keep it Cool: Chill the soda beforehand for the best refreshing taste.
- Perfect Color: Start with a small amount of food coloring and add more as needed. You can leave out the blue food coloring without changing the flavor. For a natural color, use natural dye or a splash of blueberry juice.
- Sugar: Since the soda is already sweetened, easily reduce the amount of sugar added or try a sugar substitute.
- Coconut Extract: This is typically near the vanilla in the baking aisle. The extract is pretty strong. Not a coconut fan? Try pineapple extract instead.
- Serving Suggestions: There are so many fun ways to serve this up. Try adding Swedish Fish for the kids, adding a mini umbrella to each glass, serving out of a coconut-shaped cup, or using seashell or sea creature–shaped molds to create ocean-themed ice cubes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Sonic ocean water is best when consumed quickly, but can be made up to a day ahead of time and kept in the fridge.
Store leftovers in the fridge for 2-3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Be aware that the carbonation in the soda will diminish with storage. Use the leftovers to make a slushy or popsicles.
More Like This
More Drinks
Collections
This recipe was first shared June, 2016.
will definitely try this one this summer
This is my daughter’s favorite Sonic drink and she loved this copycat!
We love the blue ocean water from Sonic! Love having this recipe to make it ourselves as we can regulate the amount of sugar going in!! Thanks for sharing!!