I have been thinking about making homemade soda syrups for a while, and I finally got the chance while on vacation in Portland this summer. Given the season, I decided to capitalize on the fresh fruit of the season. I wanted to balance the sweetness of the strawberry with a bit of spiciness of the jalepeño.  

Strawberry Jalepeño Soda Syrup

Ingredients:

• 2 cups strawberries, washed and stemmed
• 1/2 cup white sugar, divided in two
• 3/4 cup water, divided into 1/4 cup and 1/2 cup
• 2 jalepeños, washed, stemmed and seeded
• Soda water

Instructions:

1. Wash and stem strawberries. Put into a medium sauce pan.
2. Add 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water.
3. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
4. Simmer until liquid has reduced to half, about 10 minutes.
5. Pour liquid into a mason jar. Let cool.
6. Wash, stem and seed jalepeños. Put into a medium sauce pan. For a spicier syrup, add some seeds.
7. Add 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water.
8. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
9. Simmer until liquid has reduced to half, about 10 minutes.
10. Pour liquid into the mason jar with strawberries. Let cool.
11. Shake to mix.
12. Put ice into two tall glasses.
13. Put one shot of syrup into each glass.
14. Top with soda water and stir.
15. Enjoy!