Recipe: Strawberry Syrup
With BBQs and the season of outdoor entertaining upon us, don’t get caught empty-handed heading into your next get-together. When a bottle of wine won’t do, try making your own hostess gift! At the peak of strawberry season, turn a basket of these juicy gems into some DIY strawberry syrup to gift to friends and family.
An edible gift is one of the most practical yet personal items worth sharing. Before your next backyard cocktail hour or dinner party spent under the stars, whip up a batch of this strawberry syrup to present to your host.
Make It! Strawberry Syrup for Summer
With just a few ingredients, this recipe is super simple to make, yet it packs a big punch in flavor. Gone are the days of buying artificial or commercially made strawberry syrup from the grocery store. Using just ripe strawberries, sugar, and water, you can quickly put together this versatile syrup. Not only does this gift show your gratitude, but the vibrant syrup embodies summer.
Gift It! Ice Cream Floats and Mojitos
Sure, you can make up a batch of this strawberry syrup whenever the mood strikes or you have an abundance of ripe berries, but instead of just storing it in a plastic storage container next to last night’s leftovers, dress it up and gift it! Pour the naturally bright syrup in a decorative glass bottle that your host can keep and reuse. Tie on a handwritten tag or stick on a printed label so there is no mistaking what this gorgeous syrup is.
For a gift that keeps on giving, add a recipe or two for turning this syrup into an easy ice cream float or fun summer cocktail! With your syrup, include instructions for making either — or both!
Strawberry Ice Cream Floats
Place two tablespoons of syrup in the bottom of a glass. Add two to three scoops of vanilla ice cream. Top the ice cream with a couple more tablespoons of syrup before filling the glass with club soda or seltzer water. Gently stir just before serving.
Strawberry Mojitos
Muddle a few fresh mint leaves and a wedge of lime in the bottom of a cocktail glass. Add one part strawberry syrup, one part fresh lime juice, and two parts white rum. Fill the glass with ice and gently stir. Top with one part club soda or seltzer water. Garnish with more mint, sliced lime, or strawberries!
Need even more gifting or serving ideas? Throw in some old-fashioned soda fountain or cocktail glasses, your favorite premium ice cream, or a potted mint plant!
Strawberry Syrup
Makes about 1 1/2 cups
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 1 pound
strawberries
- 1 cup
water
- 1 cup
sugar
Instructions
Hull and slice the strawberries in half. Place them in a medium saucepan and add the water and sugar. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Let cook for about 10 minutes, or until the fruit begins to break down.
Set a mesh sieve over a mixing bowl or large measuring cup. Strain the syrup over the sieve. Discard the berries or set aside for a later use.
Pour the syrup back into the saucepan. Bring back to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until the syrup reduces and just slightly thickens.
Remove from the heat and store in a glass container in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes
Strawberry syrup will keep for up to 2 weeks stored in a glass container in the refrigerator.
Save the cooked strawberries as strawberry compote. Eat with plain yogurt or spread on toast for a quick breakfast.