Wash and hull about 2 cups of fresh ripe strawberries. Dice them into small pieces and place in a saucepan. Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of cane sugar. Heat over medium-high until sugar dissolves and strawberries release juices, about 5 minutes.

Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and strawberries soften.

Remove from heat, let cool for a few minutes, and stir in freshly squeezed lemon juice. Optional flavor enhancers can be added now.

Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then strain through a mesh strainer into a bowl or jar, pressing pulp to extract maximum liquid.

To serve, mix about 2 tablespoons of strawberry syrup with 1 cup of chilled sparkling water or seltzer over ice. Stir gently to combine.