Because ripe pineapples bruise easily and don't travel well, and because the fruit doesn't ripen after being picked, processed pineapple products like juice and canned fruit that are made from fully ripened fruit frequently taste better than the fresh pineapples available to most consumers. That's why I don't waste my time juicing my own pineapples for beverages. Strawberries are another matter. Strawberry juice, because of its low acidity, is highly perishable. In this light sparkling soda, the strawberry juice is fresh and the pineapple juice is processed—the best of both worlds.

　　

Ingredients

Enough for 3 servings

　　

Strawberry Pineapple Purée

1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and coarsely chopped

　　1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, preferably raw cane

　　1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

　　

Step 1

Combine the strawberries and sugar in a small bowl and let sit for about 20 minutes, until the mixture is very wet. Combine the mixture with the pineapple juice in a blender or food processor and purée.

　　

Step 2

Set a strainer over a small bowl and scrape the purée into the strainer, so that the liquid drains into the bowl below. Stir the purée gently as it strains to get as much liquid as possible without forcing any solids into the strained liquid. Discard the solids, reserving the liquid. You should have about 2 cups.

　　

Step 3

The purée can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, but is best if used immediately.

　　Cooks' Note

　　To Mix with Seltzer:

　　2/3 cup strawberry pineapple purée

　　2/3 cup seltzer

　　1 serving

　　Spoon the purée into a tall glass. Add the seltzer and stir just until blended. Add ice and serve.

　　To Carbonate with a Siphon:

　　2 cups water

　　1 batch strawberry pineapple purée

　　3 servings

　　Combine the water and purée in a 1-quart soda siphon. Charge with CO2 according to the manufacturer's directions. Siphon-charged sodas can be stored in the siphon in a refrigerator for up to 5 days. Disperse as desired into tall glasses filled with ice, and serve.

　　From Homemade Soda: 200 Recipes for Making and Using Fruit Sodas and Fizzy Juices, Sparkling Waters, Root Beers and Cola Brews, Herbal and Healing Waters, Sparkling Teas and Coffees, Shrubs and Switchels, Cream Sodas and Floats, and Other Carbonated Concoctions by Andrew Schloss. Copyright © 2011 by Andrew Schloss; photography by © Aran Goyoga. Published by Storey Publishing.