Homemade Strawberry Top Simple Syrup

Description

This homemade strawberry top simple syrup is a sustainable and naturally sweet way to use strawberry stems and tops that are typically discarded. It imparts a light berry flavor with subtle green, herbal notes, perfect for mixing into teas, lemonades, mocktails, or as a drizzle over pancakes and yogurt. This eco-friendly syrup reduces food waste while extracting the last bit of flavor from your fruit.

Ingredients

• 1 Cup of Organic Strawberry Tops (Green Stems and Attached Fruit)
• 1 Cup of Filtered Water
• 1 Cup of Organic Cane Sugar
• 1/4 Teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon
• 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Fresh Lemon Juice

Equipment

• Saucepan
• Fine Mesh Stainless Steel Strainer
• Spoon
• Liquid Measuring Cup
• Dry Measuring Cups
• Mason Jar

Instructions

• Wash your strawberry tops well to remove dirt and debris.
• In a small saucepan, combine strawberry tops, water, and sugar. Add optional lemon if using.
• Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10–15 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let steep for 20–30 minutes to intensify flavor.
• Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean glass jar.
• Add optional flavors such as cinnamon, vanilla extract and lemon juice for brighter and deeper flavors.
• Let cool completely before sealing with a lid and refrigerating.

Notes

• Use organic strawberries to avoid pesticide residue on the tops.
• Adjust sugar to your desired sweetness. A 1:1 ratio yields a thicker syrup; ¾ cup sugar creates a lighter version.
• Add herbs like basil, mint, or thyme during simmering for extra complexity.
• Great for reducing food waste when prepping strawberries for jam or baking.
• Label the jar with the date for easy tracking.