Strawberry (Pink) Milk

I think of pink milk as the ultimate Valentine's Day drink, but I don't care for the strawberry milk sold in stores.  One time, I stirred in a few drops of dye and sugar.  It was OK but not really what I was looking for.  Recently, I found a recipe for homemade strawberry milk that is quite good.  You're actually making strawberry syrup, which can be used for pancakes or waffles.  It's so Valentiney, I had a delightful time making . . . and drinking it!

Start with 2 1/2 cups of strawberries.  Since it's the middle of winter, I purchased frozen organic berries and let them thaw for an hour in a bowl on the counter.  It's fine if they are still partially frozen.

Combine 1 1/4 cups water and 1 1/4 cups sugar in a saucepan over med-high heat; stir until sugar is dissolved.  Mix strawberries in, and bring to a boil.  Boil 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to med-low and simmer until strawberries are mushy, about 10 minutes.  Let cool a bit.

I loved the colors!  Bubbling cranberry red with pink foam.  And the strawberry aromas wafting up!  Yum!

Strain liquid into a container and refrigerate.  I got just under two cups of syrup, which is perfect for a half gallon of milk.  Stir in 1 cup of syrup for every four cups milk or 4 tbsp for each cup (more or less depending on desired sweetness).

Such a beautiful color!

Here is the recipe in a more succinct form:

Strawberry Milk
Makes about 2 cups syrup.  Figure 1 cup syrup to 4 cups milk, 4 cups to 1 gallon, 1/4 cup syrup to 1 cup milk.

1 1/4 cups water
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups strawberries, quartered (frozen fine)
Whole milk

Combine water and sugar in saucepan over med-high heat; stir until sugar is dissolved.  Mix strawberries in and bring to boil.  Boil 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to med-low and simmer until strawberries are mushy, about 10 minutes.  Let cool a bit.  Strain liquid into a container (sieve or mesh strainer).  Use a spoon to press down on the berries and get most of the liquid out.  I used a mesh strainer sitting atop our 4-cup measuring cup.  You can eat the pulp.  Refrigerate.