Strawberry Top Drink Syrup

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     Every time I cut strawberries, I am left with a plethora of leftover tops that still have so much berry attached that it hurts my heart to just throw them away! So, I went on the hunt for a way to use all of these tops. That's when I discovered strawberry top syrup!

    Strawberry top syrup is a drink syrup that captures the amazing flavor of strawberries and only needs the leftover tops! However, you can also use whole strawberries if you want and you just won't have to cook everything for as long if you don't want to. 

    To make this syrup, all you need to do is gather about 1 cup of strawberry tops. I usually just use all the tops from a 1lb container of strawberries. I throw my tops into a small saucepan with about 1 1/2 cups of water and set it to boil. I let that boil for about 5-10 minutes or until the water starts to change color and the red of the strawberries starts to bleed out and the strawberries turn pink or white. 

    Once the strawberries start to change color, I add in my sugar and let it simmer until the color darkens even more and the liquid starts to become thick. I have let my syrup simmer for anywhere between 10-20 minutes and the longer it sits, the stronger the flavor. You just have to be careful not to let it get too thick so check on it periodically. The color can also depend on how much strawberry is left on your tops and how ripe they were. This can make the final syrup range anywhere between a dark red and a light pink. 

    When my syrup is done simmering, I take if off the heat and let it cool to room temperature before I pour it through a strainer into an airtight container. With that, its done! I use this syrup for anything from on pancakes and crepes to flavoring my lattes and cold foam! 

My favorite thing to use it for is as cold foam on an iced latte or cold brew. To make a cold brew with strawberry cold foam you first take two tablespoons of coffee grounds (I like Seven Brew Coffee, use the code JOSLITTLELIFE10 for 10% off your order) in a quart jar of water, shake it to saturate all of the grounds, and let it sit overnight. In the morning, shake your jar again, then pour your cold brew through a coffee filter or an extremely fine strainer over ice. Then, pour about 1/4c of half and half, or equal parts milk and heavy whipping cream, and 1 tbsp strawberry syrup into a bowl and whip it until it is thick. Finish off your tasty drink by pouring your cold foam over your fresh cold brew and enjoy!

    What did you think of this recipe? Questions? Comments? Concerns? Use the comment section below!