Homemade Strawberry Soda

Our strawberry patch is producing really well for its 2nd year and we are busy filling bags for the freezer, making jam, strawberry wine, and soda!  I included step-by-step instructions on how to make strawberry soda so you can enjoy a homemade beverage right at home.  This recipe can be adapted for all berries.

1 1/3 cups mashed strawberries

1 1/2 cups sugar (preferably brown cane)

7 cups water

1 T lemon juice

8 cups cool water

1/8 tsp. champagne yeast

-Add the first 4 ingredients to soup pot, bring to boil and simmer for 20 minutes.

-Remove from stovetop and allow to cool slightly.

-In a gallon glass jug add 8 cups cool water and add the strawberry mixture. 

-Let it cool until the soda reaches a temperature around 90 degrees.

-Add yeast to jar and shake vigorously to incorporate throughout.

-Using a funnel, pour soda into grolsch bottles.

-Fill right below the neck of the bottle.

-Store bottles at room temperature in a cooler or somewhere that keeps the bottles contained in case a bottle blows up from too much carbonation.  We learned the hard way and stored them in a sealed cardboard box on the kitchen counter...a bottle blew up, opened the cardboard box, and splattered soda everywhere, including the ceiling that had to be repainted.  

-Everyday check the bottles for carbonation.  It's difficult to explain how to tell when the carbonation is perfect, but we push on the cap and listen for the hiss of air that escapes when pressure is applied.  You want a medium to strong hiss.  On your first batch you can refrigerate the bottles on consecutive days so you get an idea how the hiss becomes stronger the longer they are left to carbonate and how the carbonation levels affect the final product.  (We recommend wearing safety goggles for this.)  

-When the soda is at the right carbonation, store bottles in the refrigeration to halt the yeast and use within about 2 weeks.  Common question is how long do the bottles take to carbonate...that all depends on the temperature of the soda when the yeast was added and how warm the storage room is.  This batch took 24 hours but in the winter it can take about 5 days.   

-If you prefer, you can strain the berries and yeast sediment before drinking, but it's not necessary.