Blackberry Soda with Homemade Blackberry Syrup
Author: 
Recipe type: Drinks
 
Ingredients
For The Syrup
  • 2 cups fresh blackberries, washed
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ lime, juice and zest
For the sodas
  • Sparkling water (or ginger ale, or lemon-lime soda, or other sparkling beverage you want to add flavor to)
  • Fresh blackberries or lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
For The Syrup
  1. In a pot over medium heat, add the blackberries, sugar, water, lime juice, and zest. Let cook for 4-6 minutes, or until the blackberries have softened and can be easily squished against the side of the pot with the back of a spoon. Then, do that. Squish the berries with the back of the spoon until all of the berries are broken down. Make sure you're wearing an apron to protect your clothes from potential spatters.
  2. Once the sugar is completely dissolved and the berries are broken down, pour the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl. I suggest setting the bowl in the sink to help mitigate splashes. Oh, and definitely make sure you're wearing an apron for this part. Did I mention this stuff stains? Reserve the berry pulp for mixing into vanilla ice cream (you can thank me later), or spreading on toast.
  3. Let the syrup cool, then transfer to a tightly lidded bottle or jar and store in the fridge for up to a couple of weeks.
For blackberry sodas:
  1. Add 2-4 TBSP blackberry syrup to a glass with ice. Top with sparkling water (about 8-12 oz., or to taste), and stir gently to combine. Garnish with fresh berries or a wedge of lime, and enjoy!
Notes
Makes about 1¾ cups syrup
To make these sodas boozy, add about an ounce of white rum, tequila, gin, or other liqueur. Enjoy responsibly.
Recipe by Will Cook For Friends at https://www.willcookforfriends.com/2014/08/blackberry-soda-with-homemade-blackberry-syrup.html