General Recipe:
3 1/2 C fruit juice (see notes on preparing the different type of fruit below)
1 C sugar
1/3 C light corn syrup

Makes About 2 Pints

Combine ingredients in a large, heavy saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for about 1 minute. Remove from heat, skim off foam and allow to cool. Pour into a jar or bottle, cover and refrigerate.

Oranges
Squeeze 3 1/2 cups fresh orange juice (about 4 1/2 to 5 pounds of oranges). Strain the juice through cheesecloth to remove pulp and proceed with the recipe above. If you plan on canning the orange syrup for longer storage, please be aware that citrus juice may discolor after a few months, although the flavor will still be fine.

Peaches
Peel and slice about 5 1/2 pounds fresh peaches. Combine peaches and 1 cup water in a large, covered pot. Cook until soft, about 20 minutes. Puree peaches in a food processor and strain to yield 3 ½ cups juice. Proceed with recipe above.

Strawberries
Use a food processor to puree strawberries, strain enough to make 3 ½ cups juice (about 2 ½ - 3 quarts strawberries). Proceed with the recipe above.

Blueberries and Raspberries
Cook berries (about 3 quarts) with 1/3 cup water until soft, about 5 minutes. Strain to yield 3 1/2 cups juice.

Put your fruit syrups to good use with these terrific recipes:

Fruit & Cream Soda
Measurements in this recipe are "loose" adjust to fit your personal taste. Depending on how rich you want it, you can use half and half, whole, low fat or no fat milk. Vanilla soy milk also works well and then this becomes a health drink as well as a treat!

2-3 tablespoons fruit syrup
about 1/3 – 1/2 C half and half, milk or vanilla soy milk
about 1 1/2 C club soda

Makes 1 Drink

Fill a large glass with ice. Pour in syrup and milk and shake well, fill with club soda.

Fruity Wine Spritzers
This makes a wonderful starter for an indulgent Sunday brunch.

3 C light dry white wine such as sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc or pinot grigio, chilled
about 2/3 C fresh fruit syrup (more or less to taste)
about 1 C club soda

Makes 4 Drinks

Combine wine, fruit juice and club soda. Serve over ice.

Fruit Ice
1 1/2 C water
1 C fresh fruit syrup
2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice

Serves 4

Combine all ingredients and pour into a shallow dish; freeze until almost firm. Pour mixture into a blender (or you can use a bowl and an electric mixer) and beat until slushy. Return to freezer and freeze until firm.

Recommended Reading
Apples are not only the world's most highly mythologized fruit, but also among the most versatile of cooking ingredients. Writer and NPR commentator Frank Browning draws upon the apple's rich culinary tradition, and the folk cooking of his Appalachian heritage, to present, with food writer Sharon Silva, an engaging, lavishly illustrated compendium of single fruit desserts, leading the reader through savory appetizers, soups, salads, hearty stews and roasts and delectable desserts. (courtesy: Amazon)