wendy's recipe file: natural soda syrups

Every action has its reaction, and the deterioration of commercial soda into a high fructose corn syrup delivery vehicle has produced a profusion of natural artisan sodas as well as interest in making your own at home. Which is incredibly easy if you own a home carbonator. The Soda Stream, now readily available in most cookware stores, operates using reusable CO2 cartridges. Ours, which gets heavy use, needs exchanging every couple of months (you can do this at any store that sells Soda Stream). The environmental savings, if you are used to buying bottled carbonated water are huge, and the monetary savings click in after a year or so. The Soda Stream comes with packages of “flavorings” which are no more wholesome that the commercial variety. This summer I’ve been making fresh fruit syrups. Add a tablespoon or so to a glass of carbonated water and you’ve got a beverage far more delicious than diet Coke. This recipe will work with any berry, and I can’t see why it wouldn’t work with stone fruit as well. The mixture can come out a little thick so dilute if necessary. You can substitute lemon for lime.

FRESH FRUIT SYRUP
1 cup berries or cut up soft fruit such as peaches
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 cup granulated sugar

1) Mash fruit in a small saucepan. Stir in the lime juice and sugar until combined.
2) Warm over low heat, stirring often, until sugar dissolves and the fruit has released all its liquid. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Let cool to room temperature. Strain for easier pouring if desired. (this is not necessary if you don’t mind some tasty jam like pulp at the bottom of your drink, which happens to be my son’s favorite part)
3) The mixture will keep up to a month in the refrigerator.

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