Ingredients
Syrup Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries, quartered (frozen can be used if necessary)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 inch piece of ginger, cut into chunks
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional but recommended)
Mocktail Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional but recommended)
- 1-2 ounces strawberry syrup
- 4 ounces sparkling water or club soda
- Ice cubes
- Fresh strawberries or mint for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Strawberry Syrup: Quarter the strawberries and place them in a medium saucepan with water, sugar, and ginger chunks. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let it cook for 10-15 minutes until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Add the fennel seeds during the last 5 minutes of simmering to infuse their flavor. Allow the syrup to cool for 5-10 minutes before straining.
- Strain the Syrup: Pour the strawberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, pressing to extract as much juice and color as possible. Remove the larger ginger pieces. The leftover strawberries can be reserved for jam or other uses.
- Assemble the Mocktail: Combine the cooled strawberry syrup with lemon juice or a dash of citric acid. Pour 1-2 ounces of the syrup into a glass filled with ice, then top with 4-5 ounces of sparkling water or club soda. Stir gently to mix. Garnish with fresh strawberries or mint leaves for an added touch of freshness and presentation.
Notes
- Fresh strawberries yield the best flavor, but frozen berries can be substituted when out of season.
- Fennel seeds add a subtle aromatic note but can be omitted if unavailable or undesired.
- You can adjust sweetness by modifying the amount of sugar in the syrup.
- Serve immediately after mixing with sparkling water for the best fizz and freshness.
- Leftover strawberry pulp can be used to make jam or smoothies to reduce waste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
