6 March 2024
Strawberries are one of those fruits that make us feel special. Like chocolate covered strawberries at parties or on Valentine’s Day. They also contain Vitamin C, which has been shown to help support the human immune system. Some authorities also feel it can help with inflammation and can help combat other conditions like high cholesterol. At their best, they are sweet and tasty.
It won’t be long (although with the snow it seems like forever) before they will be back in season at farmers’ markets. In the meantime, frozen can work just fine.
Strawberry Vanilla Syrup (used in two drinks following)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and halved
- ½ cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Directions:
- Combine strawberries, water, and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil then simmer until sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and strain, pressing strawberries to extract as much syrup as possible. Add vanilla. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Strawberry Orange Mimosa
Ingredients:
- ½ cup orange juice, chilled
- ¼ cup strawberry vanilla syrup (see above)
- 1 cup sparkling wine or ginger ale
Directions:
- Place 2 tablespoons syrup into a champagne flute. Add ¼ cup orange juice. Fill with sparkling wine or soft drink.
- Garnish with strawberries and orange slices.
Strawberry Shortcake Martini
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup strawberry vanilla syrup (see above)
- 2 vanilla sandwich cookies, finely crushed
- 1 tablespoon red or pink sprinkles, optional
- 3 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce amaretto
- 1 cup half-and-half
Directions:
- Mix crushed cookies and sprinkles on a small plate.
- Place 1 tablespoon syrup on another small plate.
- Dip rims of martini glasses in syrup and then crumbs. Drizzle inside of glasses with additional syrup, optional.
- Fill cocktail shaker half full with ice. Add vodka, amaretto, half-and-half, and 2 ounces syrup. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into prepared glasses.
Fresh Strawberry Cocktail
Ingredients:
- 3 strawberries, quartered
- 1 ounce gin, vodka, rum, or tequila
- ¾ ounces strawberry liqueur
- ½ ounce cranberry juice
- ¼ ounce lime juice
Directions:
- In a shaker, muddle strawberries to release juice.
- Add remaining ingredients with ice and shake.
- Strain into a glass and garnish with a strawberry slice
Ruby Patch
Ingredients:
- 2 medium strawberries
- 2 mint leaves
- ½ ounce agave nectar
- 1 ruby chai tea bag
- ½ ounce vodka
- ½ ounce lemon juice
Directions:
- Place tea bag in a large cup and add 6 ounces of vodka and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Remove tea bag and squeeze over cup to remove excess liquid.
- In a shaker muddle strawberries and mint with agave. Add tea-infused vodka and lemon juice. Fill shaker with ice and shake until drink is chilled.
- Double strain into a glass and garnish with a strawberry.
Strawberry Basil Mocktail
Ingredients:
- 3 medium strawberries
- 4 to 6 basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar or sweetener
- 1 cup sparkling water
Directions:
- Muddle strawberries, basil, lime juice, and sweetener.
- Top with sparkling water and gently stir.
- Add ice and garnish
Strawberry Cucumber Cooler
Ingredients:
- 3 strawberries, diced
- 1 inch cucumber, grated
- 1 teaspoon sugar or sweetener, optional
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 cup sparkling water
Directions:
- Muddle strawberries, cucumber, sweetener, and lime juice.
- Add sparkling water and stir.
- Garnish
Strawberry Agua Fresca
Ingredients:
- 2 cups strawberries, sliced
- ½ cup sugar or sweetener
- 4 cups water
- sliced lime, optional
- mint sprigs, optional
Directions:
- Combine strawberries, sweetener, and 1 cup water in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours.
- Stir well. Pour mixture into a blender and run on high until smooth.
- Strain well. Add remaining water and stir.
- Chill in the refrigerator or pour over ice. Garnish with lime slice and/or mint leaves.
