Strawberry Mint Spritzers

We're getting to the end of strawberry and mint season.  Well, the mint is still growing, it's just trying to flower all the time.  For this S recipe, I bought strawberries since mine are done, but I used my nicer mint plant.  This is a nice syrup for drinks, easily made as light as an Italian soda, or as sweet as a Shirley Temple for kids.  Totally flexible for taste.  Sometimes I like just the smallest hint of flavor and sometimes I want a nice, sweet homemade soda.  We all really enjoyed this flavor combination, my friends as well, and because it is a thicker syrup it will last a week or three in the fridge.  Do watch it for cloudiness though as this will not last quite as long as a rich syrup.

Strawberry Mint Spritzers
makes about 1½ cups syrup

1½ cups (12 oz) water
scant ⅛ tsp kosher salt
2 cups sugar
3 cups (~14 oz) sliced strawberries
½ cup mint leaves, lightly packed (I used Swiss Ricola mint this time)
1" chunk fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced
Prosecco and/or plain seltzer for serving
strawberries and mint leaves for garnish

Bring the water and salt to a boil in a 2 qt saucepan. Stir in the sugar until it dissolves, then turn off the heat.

Add the strawberries, mint leaves, and sliced ginger, cover and allow to cool to room temperature.  Place in a covered container and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, strain the liquid into a clean jar, using a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth.  Store, refrigerated until ready to mix the spritzers.

To serve, put two or three ice cubes in a cocktail glass, pour syrup over the ice, and top with Prosecco or seltzer.  Garnish with a fresh strawberry and a sprig of mint.  Stir to combine.  For a lowball or old fashioned glass, I recommend 2-3 tbsp to sweetness preference and for a pint or highball glass, 4-5 tbsp to taste.

 Be sure to check out some more letter S recipes:

• Food Lust People Love: Cheesy Sausage and Egg Casserole
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Summer Squash Salad
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Cold Sesame Noodles
• Culinary Cam: Buttermilk Shortcakes with Macerated Berries
• Blogghetti: Air Fryer Sausage Balls
• A Messy Kitchen: Strawberry Mint Spritzers
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Southern Style BBQ Shrimp
• Magical Ingredients: Spanakoparatha
• Sneha’s Recipe: Shami Kebabs
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Schezwan Sauce
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Sweet Whiskey Skillet Teriyaki Chicken