Homemade Fruit Syrup

This simple combination of seasonal fruits and spices is sweetened with dates. Try some of our favourite fruit and spice pairings and you'll never go back to the bottled stuff again.

Ingredients

• 180ml (¾ cup) water
• 60g (6) dates, pitted
• 30g strawberries (or your favourite fruit)

• (1 stick) cinnamon
• (1 slice) fresh ginger root
• (1 stalk) lemon grass
• (1) vanilla bean
• 30g (½) lemon, peeled
• 60g (½) orange, peeled
• 1 tsp maple extract

Directions

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.
2. Run the Dips & Spreads Program or start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 60 seconds, using the tamper to push ingredients toward the blades.
3. Pour mixture into a medium saucepan and simmer over medium heat for approximately 15 minutes, or until reduced by ⅓. Turn heat off and let cool for 10 minutes before pouring into a container, then place into refrigerator.

Chef's Note

• Some of our favourite combinations:
  Strawberry date
  Blueberry cinnamon
  Raspberry, orange, vanilla
  Blackberry, maple, ginger
  Gooseberry, lemon, ginger
  Pineapple, date, lemongrass
• Making your own fruit syrup lets your taste buds enjoy real whole food flavour, not that imitation flavouring.