Strawberry soda recipe

If you feel like you've been missing out on homemade soda because you don't own one of those fancy do-it-yourself machines, don't fret. Soda is a pretty simple thing to make — flavored syrup is mixed with sparkling water. That's it.

The syrup is the key. Making your own syrups at home puts you in complete control of the sweetness and flavor combinations of your bubbly concoction, without high fructose corn syrup, unidentified natural flavors or preservatives.

We've used sweet, in-season strawberries in our recipe below, but any in-season or frozen fruit can be used; try peach, blackberry, blueberry or cherry.

Strawberry soda pop

Yields 8 (8 ounce) servings

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup organic sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 3/4  cup water
• 2 pints fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
• 5 cups sparkling water, ice cold
• Ice cubes
• Fresh strawberry slices

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan heat the sugar, salt, water and strawberries over medium heat. Bring to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce to a simmer. Cook 20 minutes or until the strawberries are just tender. Remove from heat; let stand 30 minutes. Transfer strawberry mixture to a blender and pulse until smooth. Strain strawberries through a fine mesh strainer, discard seeds.
2. In a large pitcher gently stir together the strawberry syrup and sparkling water. Fill serving glasses with ice; pour strawberry soda over ice. Garnish with fresh strawberries, serve cold.

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