Actually, I know exactly when this started, it was before Christmas of last year. I had decided to make candied apricots and followed a recipe that led me seriously astray. I was left with a half gallon of caramelized, soggy, mooshy apricots, and lots and lots of sugary bittersweet syrup. I was in a panic. I could not waste all of this fruit!
And so, I strained the apricots and mashed them into what turned out to be a divine conserve. I added vodka to the caramelized apricot syrup and made a liqueur that made dry champagne even more special. I saved Christmas. Okay, I'm being dramatic.
After making a lovely tart today, I was left with one rhubarb stalk, a cup of very ripe strawberries, and a lot of sweet syrup that the fruit had been soaking in. I tossed it all in a small saucepan, added another quarter cup of sugar, and covered in a little water. 2 hours of simmering and a thorough straining later, I am left with two bottles of gorgeous, rosy, sweet-tart Strawberry-Rhubarb Syrup that begs to be drizzled on pancakes or (again) added to champagne. Not bad, right?
