Nothing tastes like spring more than luscious ripe strawberries—unless you puree them, add lemons and sugar, then top everything with sparkling soda. Boom!

Homemade Strawberry Soda

1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups strawberries, clean and pureed
2 tablespoons lemon juice
5 cups sparkling water
Ice

Bring water and sugar to a boil, in a saucepan and stir until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 20 minutes.

Combine pureed strawberries and lemon juice in a mixing bowl.

Combine syrup and strawberry mixture in a drinking pitcher. Add ice and stir.

When ready to serve, pour strawberry mixture into four glasses and top each equally with sparkling water. Stir gently to combine.

—Recipe adapted from the Virginia Cooperative Extension