If you’re like me, the arrival of berry season means indulging in these delicious fruits until they vanish from the farmer’s market. Berries make their grand appearance just once a year, so I make it my mission to savor every bit of summer’s bounty.
While I appreciate all kinds of berries, strawberries hold a special place in my heart. There’s nothing quite like the taste of a perfectly ripe strawberry. However, there’s a small downside—not everyone eats strawberries whole because of their tough green caps. Most people either eat around them or remove the caps before enjoying the fruit.
I’m here to persuade you to stop discarding those strawberry tops in the compost or trash. Instead, give them a second life and elevate your summer beverages! With just 5 minutes and 2 ingredients, you can create a homemade simple syrup bursting with fresh strawberry flavor.
Save Your Strawberry Tops
Strawberry tops are still rich in flavor, and it’s a shame to waste them. My quick solution is to transform them into a vibrant simple syrup that can last for weeks in your fridge, adding a splash of color and berry essence to various drinks.
To craft strawberry simple syrup, I collect strawberry tops until I fill a jar. If you’re making a strawberry dessert or if your family loves strawberries, you might have enough in one day. If you snack on them gradually, accumulate the tops in a jar until you have around 1/2 cup for a small batch (from about 1 pound of strawberries) or 1 cup for a regular batch (from about 2 pounds of strawberries).
Simple Tip: If it takes you a few days to gather enough strawberry tops, stash the jar in the freezer and keep adding to it as needed—no need to thaw!
How to Make Strawberry Simple Syrup
Once you’ve collected enough tops, place them in a small saucepan and mash them slightly with a potato masher, pastry cutter, or fork. Mix them with equal parts of sugar and water in a small pot (for example, 1 cup of stems, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 cup of water). Heat on medium while stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves, being careful not to let it boil.
After removing from heat, allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, which takes about an hour. Strain into a jar and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
How to Use Strawberry Simple Syrup
The easiest and perhaps most delightful way to use your syrup is in homemade strawberry pink lemonade. Combine equal parts fresh lemon juice and syrup, then add roughly three parts water (1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup syrup, 3 cups water). The syrup imparts a beautiful color and a surprising burst of fresh strawberry flavor.
Alternatively, use the syrup to craft a simple yet delicious homemade soda by mixing it with club soda. It also makes a wonderful sweetener for cocktails, particularly those with gin or vodka. Try swapping plain simple syrup for your homemade strawberry syrup in these recipes for a fruity twist.
