2 3/4 cups pastry or all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 lb shortening (if you want, omit the butter and use 1/2 lb. butter-flavored shortening)
1/4 lb salted or unsalted butter
3/4 cup 7-up or Sprite

Hand Method:

Sift together flour and salt. Cut in shortening and butter, if using. Cut until raisin-sized globs appear. Slowly pour in 7-Up or Sprite and stir. The dough should form a ball, but it should still be sort of wet. Wrap it up, and refrigerate overnight before using.

Food Processor Method:

Combine flour and salt in a food processor, and pulse a few times to combine. Add shortening and butter, if using, and pulse 5 times till butter is about the size of a raisin. Slowly pour in 7-Up or Sprite, and pulse to combine. Take the dough out, and refrigerate it overnight before using.