Start by washing the strawberries thoroughly under cold water. Remove the green tops and chop the berries into smaller pieces. This will help them release their juices during cooking. As you chop, you can already smell that sweet berry aroma filling the air!
In a small pot, combine the chopped strawberries and water. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir occasionally and keep an eye on it, watching the strawberries break down and the color of the water change to a bright red.
Let the mixture simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the strawberries have softened and the water is bright red. The smell will be intoxicating! You’ll notice that the strawberries appear dull and mushy, signaling they’ve released their flavor.
Once done, remove the pot from heat and strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl or another pot. Use the back of a spoon to press down on the strawberries to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the solid bits left in the strainer.
Now, wipe out the pot to get rid of any lingering bits, and return the strained juice to the pot. Add the granulated sugar to the juice. Stir well to dissolve the sugar completely before turning the heat back on.
Simmer the mixture again, stirring occasionally for about 5 to 15 minutes until it thickens slightly. You’ll want to keep an eye on it; as it simmers, it may look a bit runny but trust that it will thicken as it cools.
When the syrup has reached your desired thickness (reduced to about ½ to ⅔ cup), take it off the heat. Let it cool for a few minutes in the pot. It will start to thicken further as it cools down, so don’t worry if it seems a bit thin.
Once cooled, pour your Homemade Strawberry Syrup into a clean jar or bottle. For best results, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Serve your syrup over waffles, pancakes, or even ice cream. Enjoy the burst of flavor that this homemade goodness brings to your meals!
