A thick syrup made from ripe strawberries sets this homemade Italian soda apart from the type you can buy at a coffee shop. While those versions are made with store-bought, artificially flavored syrups, this soda is swirled with jammy pieces of real fruit. Not straining the syrup gives it a super-thick, compote-like consistency but also ensures an extra-bold berry flavor. When assembling the drink, be generous with the syrup—a two-to-one ratio of soda water to syrup is recommended, but feel free to eyeball it. A splash of cream to top it all off is optional but highly recommended.
Directions
- Place the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the berries release their juices and come to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the berries have almost completely broken down, about 7 minutes more. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the vanilla, and use a fork to mash the berries into a fine pulp. Alternatively, blend the mixture using an immersion blender or transfer it to the cup of a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Let the syrup cool completely before using it. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- To assemble your soda, fill a tall glass with ice, add 1 to 2 ounces of syrup, and then fill the glass with soda water. Give the soda a gentle stir, then top with about ½ ounce of cream, or as much as desired.
Zola Gregory
Zola Gregory is a writer and recipe developer based in Seattle. Having previously worked as a pastry chef and baker, she now enjoys helping others find success in their own kitchens through her stories, recipes, and baking classes.