Strawberry shortcake dirty soda

Toss trimmed, quartered fresh strawberries with a generous amount of sugar, cover and leave on the counter one hour to draw out the juice.

Add some water to loosen, transfer to a saucepan with the rest of the sugar, and bring to a simmer on medium-high; lower to a gentle steady simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and mashing the fruit about halfway.

Cool a bit and strain; either let it drain unpressed for a thinner syrup or push fruit through with a spoon for a thicker, sauce-like syrup.

Flavour with a big spoon of vanilla extract, a little butter extract, almond extract and a pinch of salt.

Fill a glass with ice and add cream soda, then top with strawberry flavored sparkling water, in a few additions because of the fizz, leaving room for the syrup.

Pour in about three tablespoons of the syrup, taste and add more as wanted, and stir with a bar spoon.

Add a splash of half-and-half, pipe whipped cream over the top, garnish, and add a straw.