Homemade sodas are the BEST! Bursting with bubbles and pure strawberry flavor – This soda aims to please and it succeeds!
I used to be a Pepsi addict. Addict to the point where I didn’t drink water. Water? What the hell is that?! Why is it so clear and tasteless. Hand me a can of Pepsi! Now!
Two liter bottle?
Gone.
In a day.
Maybe two. And that was pushing it. Pepsi was my jam. Then… Then I started to age and drinking 2 liters of Pepsi in a day wasn’t so hot. My hips kept expanding (WHHHYYYYYYY?!) and then my taste buds underwent an evolutionary process.
In time Pepsi was no longer my jam and water didn’t seem so bad. It was hydrating. My hip (at the time)… Shrunk. It felt healthier. I was no longer at risk of losing a toe or two to diabetes due to my insane consumption of what I still believe is the best soda in the world.
It was sort of liberating. Because in truth, I was an addict. A straight up Pepsi junkie. I was addicted to sugar and caffeine, like a boss. The final scene from Scarface had NOTHING on me. The combination is explosive and fun, and tickling on the tongue. It was like falling in love.
I’d drink Pepsi first thing in the morning, like right after brushing my teeth. Truly, it’s a miracle I even have teeth with all the caramel colored sugar I was consuming. Quitting was the best decision I ever made. At first it was touch and go. You know, you couldn’t be around me for long periods of time.
Sugar and caffeine withdrawal are real. But once I got that monkey off my back I was all right. I’m still an addict, though. For a long time if I saw a tall cold glass of Pepsi I’d pull it from your kung-fu grip and take a sip. I don’t care HOW big you were.
I make my own sodas now. It’s easy!
All you need is a bangin’ syrup and seltzer water. Some ice. ‘Cause I like my drinks ice cold. This bangin’ syrup is made with just three ingredients – Strawberries, water, and sugar.
About a year ago I discovered that pureeing fruit, then making a syrup provided a punchier flavor than just adding the fruit to water and sugar and cooking the mixture down ’till the fruit softened. Pureeing fruit allows you to enjoy a holistic fruit experience. I’m about that life.
I’m the first to say there is an overuse of the phrase “Fresh to Death” in my space; however, it’s truly the only way I can describe this Strawberry Soda. It.Is.Fresh.To.Death. It’s like drinking sweetened carbonated strawberry juice. It’s gorgeous to look at. Just gorgeous and when it hits the tongue, it’s like falling in love. Even my little photobombing Moonbug digs it and she doesn’t drink anything carbonated.
Next time you’re jonesing for soda, try this Strawberry situation. I can’t promise addiction. What I can promise is a burst of flavor unlike any other.
[purerecipe]
Strawberry Soda
Ingredients
For the strawberry syrup
- 1 pound washed and hulled Strawberries
- 2 cups Water
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
For the strawberry soda
- 3-4 tablespoons Strawberry syrup
- Ice
- Seltzer
- Strawberry slices for garnish
Instructions
Make the strawberry syrup:
- In a blender, combine strawberries and water. Puree until smooth. Remove from blender and pour the puree in a medium saucepan. Add the sugar, stir briefly to combine, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer until reduced slightly and the sugar has completely dissolved, about 10-15 minutes. With a large spoon, skim the foam which has accumulated on the surface of the mixture.
- Allow the syrup to come to room temperature and then pour into a large glass container or bottle with a tight fitting lid.
- Place in the refrigerator until ready to use. Makes about 3 cups of strawberry syrup.
Make a strawberry soda:
- To a tall glass, add anywhere from 3 tablespoons – ¼ cup of strawberry syrup. Add ice and top with seltzer. Give it a brief stir to combine. If desired, add a squeeze of lime. Or vodka. Garnish with sliced strawberries.
- Drink.
- Strawberry syrup will last about a two weeks in the refrigerator.
