Homemade Dr. Pepper Syrup

Ingredients

• 1 cup coconut sugar
• 0.5 cup water
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 inch piece lemon peel
• 1 inch piece lime peel
• 1 inch piece orange peel
• 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
• 0.5 tsp ground cloves
• 0.5 tsp ground cardamom
• 0.5 tsp ground ginger
• 0.5 tsp ground star anise
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp peppercorns
• 1 cup pitted cherries (Frozen cherries may be used when fresh cherries are out of season.)
• 1 tsp bitters
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• seltzer water (Use as needed to dilute approximately 3 tablespoons syrup per serving.)
• ice (Optional, for serving.)

Steps

1. 1

   Place the coconut sugar in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until the sugar begins to caramelize at the bottom of the pan; do not let it burn.

2. 2

   As soon as caramelization begins, slowly pour in the water while stirring continuously. Continue stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture reaches a gentle simmer.

3. 3

   Add the lemon peel, lime peel, orange peel, cinnamon sticks, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, ground cardamom, ground ginger, ground star anise, fresh ginger, peppercorns, pitted cherries, and bitters.

4. 4

   Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10–13 minutes, until the syrup has thickened slightly and the spices, fruit, and citrus have infused the liquid.

5. 5

   Near the end of the simmering time, gently mash the cherries with a potato masher to release their juices into the syrup.

6. 6

   Remove the saucepan from the heat. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof bowl or jar, pressing gently on the solids to extract the liquid.

7. 7

   Add the vanilla extract and almond extract to the strained syrup. Stir or whisk until fully incorporated.

8. 8

   Transfer the syrup to a clean jar, let it cool, cover, and refrigerate for up to two weeks.

9. 9

   To serve, fill a glass with ice if desired. Add about 3 tablespoons of syrup, or adjust to taste, then top with seltzer water.

10. 10

    Stir gently to combine without excessively flattening the carbonation, and serve immediately.

Notes

The syrup is concentrated; adjust the amount of seltzer and syrup to taste. Keep refrigerated and use within two weeks.

Nutrition per serving

• drink
• beverage
• homemade soda
• non-alcoholic
• cherry
• spiced
• citrus
• make-ahead