Everybody’s invited to the end-of-the-season strawberry social! Strawberries are one of our favorite fruits, and they always taste better when they are in season and picked fresh ( May through the end of summer.)
During the month of August when we are knee-deep in delicious berries, we add them to our morning cereal, smoothies, salads, and desserts. And another delicious way to enjoy strawberries is the homemade strawberry soda. Packed with delicious strawberries, it contains minimal sugar and can be enjoyed without guilt. Homemade strawberry soda is great for brunch or lovely as an apéritif. Add vodka? Better hurry!
Strawberry Soda
Serves 6
1 recipe simple syrup (recipe below)
4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)
1 ½ cups club soda or seltzer water
Puree the strawberries using a food processor or blender. Strain into a glass measuring cup and set aside.
Fill 6 tall glasses halfway with ice cubes. Equally divide the strawberry puree among the glasses. Add a 2 tablespoons of simple syrup to each glass. Top with sparkling water and add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, to taste. Gently stir and serve.
Simple Syrup
Simple syrup or sugar syrup is a combination of sugar and water that is cooked to a clear syrup. Used for cocktails, poaching fruits, glazing and moistening cakes, and is the base for sorbet.
Makes 1-3/4 cups syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine sugar and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves and bring to a full boil. Boil for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool completely before using. Store syrup in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to use.
Want more strawberry ideas?
Check out our previous blog post about strawberries for tips on how to choose the best berries, washing and storing, and a great recipe for roasting strawberries.
