This sweet, tangy homemade Strawberry Soda will delight your taste buds and quench your warm-weather thirst with the natural flavor of fresh strawberries. Using just four simple ingredients and no special equipment, you can create a bubbly and refreshing beverage from the comfort of your kitchen!
Sip and savor the refreshing taste of this strawberry soda recipe to cool off a hot summer’s day, made with fresh ripe strawberries, zesty lemon juice, and a hint of sweet cane sugar. The ingredients are combined with water and simmered on the stovetop to create a luscious strawberry syrup. Once cooled, the syrup is topped off with sparkling or seltzer water and plenty of ice for the ultimate vibrant, fruity drink!
This DIY soda is easy and fun to make and is perfect for serving at group gatherings or parties. Or prepare a batch to enjoy as an anytime pick-me-up refresher! You can also easily customize this versatile soda recipe with various flavor enhancers for a tasty twist to suit your preferences.
For more festive summer drink recipes, try my strawberry rose bramble cocktail, pineapple skin tea, or spicy watermelon margarita.
Ingredients
Strawberries: The star ingredient in this homemade pop recipe! Use fresh, ripe strawberries with a vibrant red color for optimal freshness and flavor. For a flavor variation, substitute fresh raspberries or blackberries.
Cane Sugar: Used to sweeten the strawberry syrup with a slight molasses flavor. Adjust to taste as needed. Alternatively, substitute with granulated white sugar or packed brown sugar.
Water: Helps combine the syrup ingredients as the mixture simmers on the stovetop. Use filtered water and adjust the amount based on the desired syrup thickness or sweetness intensity.
Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice to add a bright acidity that complements the sweetness of the strawberries and sugar. Adjust the amount to suit your taste preferences. If desired, use lime juice for a tangy and tropical flavor profile.
How to Make Strawberry Soda
Are you wondering how to make homemade soda? It’s so much easier than you may expect! Here’s how to do it:
- Prepare Strawberry Mixture. Place the cut strawberries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, and stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Slow Simmer. Once the sugar is completely dissolved, reduce the heat to low and gently simmer the strawberry mixture for 15 minutes.
- Add Lemon Juice. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. If using any additional mix-ins, add them now. Cool the syrup at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.
- Strain Liquid. Pour the syrup through a mesh strainer into a glass jar, straining all the solids. Use a spoon or silicone spatula to press all liquid from the strained pulp. Save the strawberry pulp to use as jam or discard.
- Prepare Soda. Pour 1 cup of sparkling or seltzer water into a glass with ice. Add 2 tablespoons of the strawberry syrup and stir. Add more strawberry syrup to taste, if needed.
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Use ripe strawberries. The quality of the syrup will only be as good as the quality of the strawberries. Choose berries that are ripe, firm, and deeply colored for the best flavor and sweetness in homemade soda recipes.
- Adjust syrup flavor to taste. Taste the strawberry syrup after it simmers. Adjust the amount of sugar or lemon juice to suit your preferences.
- Enhance the soda strawberry flavor. Consider adding a splash of vanilla extract, a few drops of rose water, or some of our other recipe variations for a unique flavor twist that complements the strawberry flavor. See my specific variation recommendations below.
- Thoroughly strain the strawberry pulp. When straining the strawberry syrup, press the pulp well with a spatula to extract as much juice as possible. This helps ensure you get the most robust strawberry flavor in your soda drink.
- Chill before serving. For a crisp and refreshing soda, chill the strawberry syrup and sparkling water before mixing them, and serve over plenty of ice to keep the drink cold.
- Double the recipe. This homemade soda recipe makes enough syrup for 8 cups of strawberry soda, but feel free to double the batch to serve a larger crowd!
Recipe Variations
Below are some optional flavor variations to compliment the flavor of this homemade strawberry soda recipe!
- Vanilla: After simmering on the stovetop, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the strawberry syrup for a strawberry cream soda experience.
- Coconut: One tablespoon of unsweetened shredded coconut adds a touch of the tropics to the strawberry soda. Add a squeeze of lime to the finished soda before serving for some more tropical flair.
- Rose Water: When simmering the syrup mixture, add 2 teaspoons of rose water for a floral essence that punctuates the natural strawberry flavor.
- Grated Ginger: For a spicy kick, add 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger to the saucepan when you add the strawberries and sugar.
- Tea Infusion: Include 1 tablespoon of loose-leaf white or black tea in the saucepan when adding the strawberries and sugar for a floral herbal note.
- Mixed Berry: Use ½ lb of assorted mixed berries instead of only strawberries for a robust, well-rounded berry flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy an icy glass of strawberry soda to cool down a sunny afternoon or while lounging poolside. It is a great drink for kids and delicious served at backyard get-togethers with some of our favorite recipes below!
Storage Directions
Allow the strawberry syrup to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight glass jar or bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks. Mix the syrup with sparkling water when ready to serve for the best fizziness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Juneteenth is a time to celebrate freedom and unity and honor the resilience of the African American community. This Juneteenth strawberry soda recipe pays homage to the vibrant flavors of summer and adds a touch of festivity for gatherings throughout the commemorative month.
While I highly recommend using fresh strawberries for the best texture and flavor, you can use frozen strawberries in a pinch. Prepare the recipe as outlined, simmering the berries for longer and smashing them as they cook for 18-20 minutes or until broken down and syrupy.
Instead of discarding leftover strawberry pulp, use it to make fruit spreads, add it to yogurt or oatmeal, or blend it into smoothies!
More Freshing Drink Recipes
Recipe Card
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Place the cut strawberries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, and stir until the sugar dissolves.
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Reduce heat to low and simmer the strawberry mixture gently for 15 minutes.
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Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. If using vanilla or rose water, add it now.
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Cool the strawberry mixture at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.
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Pour the syrup through a mesh strainer into a glass jar, straining out the solids. Use a spoon or silicone spatula to thoroughly press the liquid from the pulp. Save the strawberry pulp to use as jam or discard.
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Pour 1 cup of sparkling or seltzer water into a glass with ice. Add 2 tablespoons of the strawberry syrup and stir. Add more strawberry syrup to taste, if needed. This recipe makes 8 cups of soda. Feel free to double the recipe for more.
Allow the strawberry syrup to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight glass jar or bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks. Mix the syrup with sparkling water when ready to serve for the best fizziness.
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Use ripe strawberries. The quality of the syrup will only be as good as the quality of the strawberries. Choose berries that are ripe, firm, and deeply colored for the best flavor and sweetness
- Adjust syrup flavor to taste. Taste the strawberry syrup after it simmers. Adjust the amount of sugar or lemon juice to suit your preferences.
- Enhance the soda strawberry flavor. Consider adding any of the following flavor enhancers:
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- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (add after straining solids from syrup)
- 1 tablespoon of unsweetened shredded coconut (add with strawberries)
- 2 teaspoon rose water (add with strawberries)
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger (add with strawberries)
- 1 tablespoon loose-leaf white tea or black tea (add with strawberries)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (instead of lemon juice)
- ½ lb sorted berries (instead of just strawberries)
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- Thoroughly strain the strawberry pulp. When straining the strawberry syrup, press the pulp well with a spatula to extract as much juice as possible. This helps ensure you get the most robust strawberry flavor in your soda drink.
- Chill before serving. For a crisp and refreshing soda, chill the strawberry syrup and sparkling water before mixing them, and serve over plenty of ice to keep the drink cold.
- Double the recipe. This homemade soda recipe makes enough syrup for 8 cups of strawberry soda, but feel free to double the batch to serve a larger crowd!
