Homemade Strawberry Soda Recipe

1. 1

   Place the strawberries in a large bowl, pour in 2 cups of the sugar, and mix until the strawberries are coated.

2. 2

   Pour the remaining 1 1/2 cups of sugar in an even layer to cover the strawberries.

3. 3

   Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let it sit at room temperature, stirring once or twice, until the sugar has mostly dissolved, about 12 hours.

4. 4

   Set a fine-mesh strainer over a medium bowl.

5. 5

   Stir the strawberry mixture again to help dissolve any sugar at the bottom of the bowl.

6. 6

   Pour the strawberries and all of the liquid through the strainer, stirring the fruit but not pushing on it.

7. 7

   Reserve the strawberries in the strainer for another use.

8. 8

   Stir the orange juice into the syrup.

9. 9

   Pour 1/4 cup of the syrup into a tall glass and add 1/2 cup of the sparkling water.

10. 10

    Stir gently to combine, fill the glass with ice, and serve.

11. 11

    Transfer any remaining syrup to a container with a tightfitting lid and refrigerate for up to 1 month.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.