Strawberry Soda
This festive beverage uses real fruit for a bright flavor and gorgeous dark pink hue that store-bought soda could never match. Strawberries impart a refreshing taste that’s accented by a hint of lime. The lime juice also serves to balance out the sweetness of the syrup without overpowering the delicate strawberry. Much like bottled soda, this one is craveably sweet; feel free to adjust to your liking — add more syrup if you want it sweeter, or more lime juice or club soda for a lighter beverage (the melting ice will also dilute the soda). When cooking the strawberry purée, decrease the heat if it starts to foam up, to prevent it from boiling over. Club soda or seltzer will yield a fizzier homemade soda, but sparkling water works great too. For maximum carbonation, prepare the batch à la minute.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 2 persons
Ingredients
- 1pound fresh strawberries, hulled and rinsed (or frozen strawberries)
- 1cup sugar
- 1 ¼cups club soda or sparkling water
- 1tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Sliced fresh strawberries (optional)
Instructions
Step 1
Make the strawberry syrup using a blender (see next step if you do not plan to use a blender): Add the strawberries and 1 cup water to a blender and purée. Pour the purée into a medium saucepan over medium-high. Stir in the sugar and bring to a boil. When boiling, decrease heat to medium, and stir occasionally until reduced by half, about 15 minutes (further decrease the heat if it starts to foam up and boil over). Remove the saucepan from the heat. Store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use, or for up to one week. (Yields about 2 cups.)Step 2
Make the strawberry syrup without using a blender: Add the strawberries, sugar and 1 cup water to a medium saucepan over medium-high and bring to a boil. When boiling, decrease heat to medium and stir occasionally until the strawberries soften, about 10 minutes (further decrease the heat if it starts to foam up and boil over). While the saucepan is still on the heat, use a fruit masher to thoroughly mash the strawberries. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the syrup is reduced by half, 5 minutes. Pour the mashed strawberry syrup through a strainer, pressing on the pulp to extract as much juice as possible. Remove the pulp and reserve for another purpose. Store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use, or for up to one week. (Yields about 1 1/2 cups.)Step 3
Make the soda: Combine 1/2 cup strawberry syrup, the club soda and the lime juice in a large measuring cup or other vessel with a spout and stir well. Divide the soda evenly between two glasses filled with ice. Add sliced strawberries and serve immediately.