Strawberry Basaltic Soda

Strawberry Balsamic Soda

The unexpected combo of strawberry and balsamic vinegar is one that chefs have been incorporating into dishes for a long time. Riffing on this culinary concept, the syrup here amps up the flavor of in-season strawberries with a dash of balsamic.

Ingredients:

Makes 1 cocktail
1 1/2 oz Seltzer OR Sparkling Water

Strawberry Syrup (recipe follows)
6 to 8 oz watermelon-flavoured hard seltzer or sparkling water
1/4 tsp (1 mL) balsamic glaze
A basil sprig for garnish
Watermelon slice for garnish

Directions:
Pour syrup and hard seltzer into a tall glass filled with ice. Pour in balsamic glaze. Garnish with basil and watermelon slice. Serve with a straw so it can be stirred right before enjoying.
Strawberry Syrup
Place 2 cups (500 mL) of halved or quartered strawberries into a medium pot along with 

1 1/2 cups (375 mL) granulated sugar and 

11/2 cups (375 mL) water. 

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until softened and strawberry flavour infuses into syrup, 5 to 10 minutes. 

Remove from heat and let cool completely. Using the back of a ladle, swirl and push through a sieve into a sterilized jar. 

Keep leftover fruit purée in the fridge (up to 4 days) for another use like pouring over ice cream or stirring into yogurt.

Makes 2 cups (500 mL) syrup for 10 cocktails or mocktails