Strawberry Fields Forver (Cocktail)

Strawberries are more than just fruit—they’re a sweet, edible sign that spring has turned into summer. The juicy red berries make a dry piece of shortcake memorable and are delectable enough to eat plain or with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. They can also be used in a range of delicious and refreshing drinks. =) 

Thanks Maria Hunt! Hostess of the champagne appreciation and entertaining web site www.thebubblygirl.com and author of The Bubbly Bar: Champagne & Sparkling Wine Cocktails for Every Occasion.

So the next time you pick up some fresh strawberries, forget about making dessert and start mixing up some cocktails instead.

Balsamic Berry

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 Strawberries, hulled
• 2 oz Hendrick’s Gin
• 1 tsp Strawberry jam
• 1 pinch Freshly ground black pepper
• .5 oz Fresh lime juice
• .25 oz Simple syrup (one part sugar, one part water)
• Several large dashes Balsamic vinegar
• Champagne

Garnish: Lime peel    Glass: Coupe

PREPARATION:

In a shaker, muddle the strawberries. Add the remaining ingredients except the Champagne and fill with ice. Shake until well chilled and strain into a coupe glass. Top with Champagne and garnish with a lime peel.

Ward III

INGREDIENTS:

• Large strawberry
• 2 oz Maker’s Mark Bourbon
• .75 oz Fresh lime juice
• .5 oz Simple syrup (one part sugar, one part water)
• 3 Dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
• 1 Egg white
• Garnish: Grated nutmeg and strawberry slice
• Glass: Rocks glass

PREPARATION:

Muddle the strawberry in a shaker. Add the other ingredients and fill with large ice cubes. Shake vigorously for at least one minute and strain into a chilled rocks glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg and a slice of strawberry.

Sbagliato Grosso

INGREDIENTS:

• Ricard
• Fresh strawberry
• 1.25 oz Hennessy VS Cognac
• .75 oz Campari
• .75 oz Carpano Antica Formula
• Garnish: Orange peel
• Glass: Rocks

PREPARATION:

Mist a rocks glass with Ricard and fill it with ice. Set it aside to chill. Muddle a strawberry in a mixing glass and add the other ingredients and ice. Stir. Dump the ice from the rocks glass and fill it with two fresh ice cubes. Strain the liquid from the mixing glass into the rocks glass and garnish with an orange peel.

 Follow more cocktail recipes here and on my surfboard @ http://www.surfdash.com/sections/viewsection/2754-the-barender