Strawberry–Black Pepper Syrup
Preserve peak-season strawberries by making this aromatic, crimson syrup. The basil adds a lovely herbal note, and the slight bitterness of the peppercorns cuts through the sweetness of the syrup. Use this in cocktails, atop sparkling wine, stir into lemonade, or drizzle over ice cream, pancakes, or shortcakes. If using proper canning techniques, this syrup can be stored for up to a year so you can enjoy a bit of summer all through winter.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds strawberries hulled and halved
- Juice of 1 lemon (2 Tablespoons)
- 1 Tablespoon peppercorns
- 1 large basil sprig
- 2 cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the strawberries, lemon juice, peppercorns, basil, and 1 quart of water. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to moderately low and simmer, without stirring and skimming off any foam that rises to the surface, until the water is a deep red and the strawberries have lost most of their color, about 20 minutes.
- Carefully strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve set over a large heat-proof measuring cup. Do not press on the fruit or your syrup will become cloudy. Discard the solids and return the liquid to the saucepan. Add the sugar and bring to a boil, whisking occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the syrup is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 10 to 15 minutes. Skim any foam that rises to the top.
- Let cool completely, then transfer to a glass jar or bottle. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
MAKE AHEAD: This strawberry syrup can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Use this recipe for Strawberry Gin Spritzers here.
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