for chick coop

I am not normally a soda drinker by any stretch of the imagination, but come the summers bounty of fresh strawberries, I love to make this easy, refreshing, four ingredient strawberry soda.  

Homemade Strawberry Soda

(makes 8 glasses)

2 cups of water 

2 cups of sugar (feel free to substitute honey or the sweetener of your choice)

1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Seltzer (or club soda)
Fresh mint leaves for garnish, optional

In a saucepan over high heat, stir together the first three ingredients and bring to a boil.  Once boiling, lower heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes or until strawberries soften and syrup thickens and starts to turn pink.

Remove from heat, strain berries (they make wonderful shortcake!) and cool in refrigerator. Once cooled, pour 1/2 cup of syrup into each of 8 Mason jars (moisten and dip rims into sugar for a festive touch) and then fill each glass with seltzer. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a whole strawberry, if desired.

Enjoy!

Note: you can also use blackberries or raspberries to make different flavors. Syrup will last refrigerated for up to a week.