Strawberry Simple Syrup (or Blueberry or …)
Hot enough for you? Even in Wisconsin (where some years I never turn on the air conditioner) we are feeling the heat. My favorite new way to refresh? Homemade “soda” with Strawberry Simple Syrup.
Soda with Strawberry Simple Syrup
Staying hydrated is critical when the temperature rises. Plain water is, of course, the gold standard, but sometimes after sweating for a few hours, a special treat can really hit the spot.
It all started with book club. When I arrived late and desperately thirsty after a swim class last spring, I was offered some carbonated water with lemon courtesy of the hostess’s soda stream. I loved it. It tasted better than wine (okay that better than wine thing didn’t last). Since then EVERY book club has offered this as an alternative (or addition) to wine. When my cases of strawberries arrived last month, the idea hit! 
To make a Strawberry Simple Syrup you just boil sugar, water and fruit then strain.
Making Strawberry Simple Syrup
For a flavored soda, you put an ounce or so (to taste) of syrup into a glass then top with cold carbonated water. By varying the amount of the syrup you can control the intensity and sugar content—and of course mine are all organic since I use organic sugar and fruit.
Making strawberry soda from strawberry simple syrup
If you aren’t a sweetened beverage fan, the strawberry simple syrup can be used for more than homemade sodas. It can be poured over pancakes (though I often use a pulpier version of syrup for this), added to iced tea, blended into a meat glaze, stirred into to yogurt, and even drizzled decoratively if you are plating a fancy dish (yeah that’s not happening until fall with this heat).
If you want a clear syrup (which is most versatile), you need to avoid pressing on the cooked fruit when you strain it. But the remaining pulp can be used in yogurt so it doesn’t need to go to waste (though I composted the black currant pulp, with all of its seeds).
Homemade Strawberry Soda, up close
Although I started making this with strawberries, and that remains a family favorite, I have expanded to other fruit–black currants most recently. And I have heard it suggested that if you ever wind up with bits of extra fruit (though this would never happen at my house), you can put them together for a kind of tutti-frutti syrup!
Black Currant & Strawberry Simple Syrup
Tomorrow night, I am going to take a jar of this and a bottle of Prosecco to a birthday party. But that’s another story!
Strawberry Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups sliced strawberries about 1 lb
Instructions
- Add water and sugar to a saucepan on high heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Heat until boiling.
- Add sliced strawberries. Return mixture to a boil, then lower heat and simmer until strawberry pieces are very soft and shapeless, about 30 minutes.
- Strain liquid into a storage container. You can stir the pulp to release juice but don't press on it. Reserve strawberry pulp for yogurt or baking if desired.
- Refrigerate until used.
I love this recipe! I’m from New England, where the farm strawberries are to die for. I want to try this next summer with hand-picked strawberries from my local farm. I love the idea of combining it with prosecco. I would add lemon juice / lemon essential oil in addition.
Right now I am wishing I made more (though I froze a lot of berries & this works with frozen too)! If you are looking for lemon flavor have you ever tried using lemon balm? I mixed some lemon balm syrup with frozen strawberries last summer and turned it into a delicious Popsicle! If you try making the syrup next summer, I’d love to hear how it comes out!
What a great and refreshing idea, Inger! Thanks!
Thanks David. This may count as our fun discovery of the summer!
It’s been pretty hot here, too. And this drink would totally quench my thirst. Sounds delicious, and it’s beautiful too!
Thanks Beth. I imagine our weather has been pretty similar. Hope your college prep work is going well–I am looking forward to catching up on my favorite blogs when things quiet down here.