Strawberry Vanilla Simple Syrup
Simple syrups are just that — simple to make. But you can use them in so many ways. Visit a local farm, pick some fresh strawberries and prep this syrup. We also subbed local honey for part of the sugar to make our syrup sing with flavor!
Ingredients
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2 pounds fresh strawberries
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¾ cup sugar
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¾ up honey
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1½ cups water
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1 vanilla bean, split
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Fresh mint garnish, optional
Directions
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Set aside several strawberries for garnish.
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Cap remaining berries and cut in half into saucepan. Add sugar, honey and water. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce to a slow boil for about 30 minutes until reduced and starting to thicken.
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Pour hot syrup through thin meshed strainer into jar with scraped vanilla bean.* Chill several hours or overnight.
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Syrup will keep up to 2 months in refrigerator.
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To make spritzers, add 2 tablespoons of syrup to 1 cup plain or flavored seltzer. Add a splash of lemonade, wine or rum — use your imagination for other fun combinations. You can also muddle fresh mint in your glass before making.
*Do not mash berries while straining — syrup will be cloudy. Discard the berry pulp, or refrigerate and use in yogurt, oatmeal or smoothies. Tasty on toast too!
