3 1/2 pounds strawberries
1 gallon boiling water
juice of 1 small lemon
2 1/2 pounds white sugar

In a crock, mash strawberries. Add boiling water and lemon juice. Cover well with a clean cloth and set aside for 1 week.

Every day, stir the mixture. After one week, strain through 3 to 4 layers of cheesecloth or a jelly bag into a large stainless steel bowl. Discard fruit.

In a clean crock, return the strained mixture and add sugar. Cover again with a clean cloth and allow to stand for another week, stirring each day. Funnel into 1/2 gallon canning jars fitted with fermentation caps (about 3). Transfer to a jug when fermentation has completely ceased for at least 3 days. Age for at least 6 months (1 year is better).

Makes about 1 1/4 gallons.