Szörp is a fruit syrup, and in Hungary it is a pantry essential. Families boil down raspberries, elderflowers or sour cherries in summer and keep the bottles for the rest of the year, then mix a splash with water or soda whenever anyone is thirsty. Raspberry, málna, is the favorite, a deep ruby syrup that tastes more of fruit than of sugar.

On a hot Hungaroring Sunday it is the drink for drivers of all ages who are not yet, or not today, drinking fröccs. It also has the advantage of being one of the few things at a race that is genuinely improved by a pit stop at the fridge.

The raspberry syrup

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) raspberries, fresh or frozen
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
• 1 1/4 cups (250 g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon citric acid

To serve

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) raspberry syrup
• 1 cup (240 ml) cold soda water
• ice cubes and a few fresh raspberries or mint leaves

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