Dirty Strawberry Soda Recipe

Prepare berries

Place hulled and quartered strawberries into a small blender or food processor. Add the granulated sugar and lemon juice.

Pulse until smooth, then check texture. If too thick to mix into soda, add up to 1 tablespoon cold water and pulse once more to loosen. The purée should be pourable but slightly thick (about 1/2 cup yield).

Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity: add a touch more sugar or lemon juice if needed. Transfer purée to a small bowl or measuring cup and chill briefly if not using immediately.

Fill a tall glass with ice cubes (about 1 cup). Pour 12 oz chilled club soda over the ice, leaving some headspace (about 1 inch) for the purée and espresso. Stir gently once to slightly settle the bubbles.

Add the simple syrup (1 teaspoon) to the chilled espresso (1 oz) and stir until dissolved. This balances the coffee and ties it to the fruitiness.

Spoon or pour about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the strawberry purée into the glass with soda. For a more intensely fruity drink, use up to 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons). Let the purée sink slightly or swirl gently to create marbling.

Slowly pour the sweetened espresso over the back of a spoon held just above the drink surface so the coffee layers and creates a 'dirty' streaking effect through the soda and purée. Alternatively, pour directly for a more integrated flavor.

Give the drink a gentle stir if you want a uniform flavor, or leave layered for visual effect. Taste and add up to another teaspoon of simple syrup if you prefer sweeter.

Garnish with a mint sprig and a strawberry slice on the rim. Serve immediately with a straw and a long teaspoon for mixing.