Perfect Picnic Recipes: Strawberry Vanilla Bean Soda

The third post in our recipe series for the month of April, perfect picnic recipes from Kelsi Windmiller!

This week I am sharing a simple picnic recipe for homemade soda. Strawberries are looking pretty good at the market lately, so pick some up before your next picnic! If you have never used vanilla beans before, you will be hooked. They smell amazing and pair perfectly with fresh strawberries. The syrup can be made up to a week ahead of time. When you are ready to head out to your picnic, all you will need in some sparkling water to mix it with and voila – homemade strawberry vanilla bean soda!

strawberries

Strawberry & Vanilla Bean Soda

2c cut strawberries

1c sugar

1c water

1 vanilla bean

Juice from 1/2 lemon

Sparking water and jars

Combine the sugar and water in a small sauce pot and bring to a simmer. Slice the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds out with the back of your knife. Add the strawberries, seeds, and the rest of the vanilla bean to the pot.  Stir occasionally and bring to a rolling boil. Remove from heat. Let cool for a few minutes and then add the lemon juice. Remove the vanilla bean and puree all other ingredients together in a blender. Spoon about three tablespoons of syrup into each jar and pack away for your picnic. Pick up a cold bottle of seltzer water on your way to mix. Enjoy!

strawberry vanilla bean soda
More healthy recipes from the BLDG 25 Blog.
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10 years ago

YUM!

Amanda
10 years ago

All it’s missing is some alcohol!

Emily
10 years ago

Can’t wait to make this! Though I’ll definitely take out the vanilla bean before blending…

Kelsi
10 years ago

Yes, take that vanilla bean out, sorry guys!

Sally
10 years ago

yummy. perfect for summer.

http://yummygreengoodness.blogspot.co.uk/

10 years ago

Can’t wait to try this this summer

Maddy
10 years ago

JUST MADE IT!!
the syrup was so good! it was really sweet but once u added the sparkling water it tasted off… it wasnt flavorful enough… i think i might just use the strawberry syrup stuff and put it on some vanilla ice cream yumm:)

Marina
10 years ago

The perfect summer drink! Made this today to take to a friends BBQ and had a sneaky taster…wow! Its so easy and just tastes amazing, perfect with sparkling water and ice!