Description
Enjoy the delightful taste of summer with this homemade strawberry milk syrup, perfect for pancakes, milk, or desserts. Bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, it’s easy to make and a delicious addition to your favorite treats.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Wash the strawberries thoroughly under cold running water.
- Hull the strawberries by removing the green tops and slice them in half. For larger strawberries, quarter them for even cooking.
- Place the sliced strawberries in a medium bowl, sprinkle with a couple of tablespoons of sugar, and let them sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out their juices.
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves (about 3-5 minutes).
- Add the macerated strawberries to the saucepan. If desired, add the tablespoon of lemon juice for brightness.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
- Blend the mixture until smooth using an immersion blender or a regular blender (be cautious with hot liquid).
- Return the blended syrup to the saucepan and stir in the teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- For a smoother syrup, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a bowl, pressing down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Save the leftover strawberry pulp for use in yogurt or smoothies.
- Allow the syrup to cool completely at room temperature.
- Transfer to a clean glass jar or bottle, leaving some space at the top, and seal tightly. Store in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
- To make strawberry milk, mix 2-3 tablespoons of syrup with a glass of cold milk and stir well.
- Use the syrup as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.
- Mix with sparkling water or lemonade for a refreshing drink.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider adding a pinch of salt or fresh mint leaves while simmering.
- Substitute some strawberries with other berries like raspberries or blueberries for a mixed berry syrup.
- For a thicker syrup, simmer longer until desired consistency is reached; it will thicken more as it cools.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes