We are in the midst of a sizzling summer and that means the strawberry season is extra special this year. Traditionally eaten with cream as a dessert, fresh strawberries also make a delicious cocktail ingredient. They add a touch of sweetness as well as a bright pop of colour to make your drink look as good as it tastes. Here are a few recipes to try.
The Strawberry Daiquiri
The strawberry daiquiri is a perennial summertime favourite and also straightforward to make. Daiquiri based cocktails are made with rum and are named after the small Cuban town where the drink was created.
The story goes that an American named Stockton Cox was carrying out an exploratory expedition of Cuba’s iron-ore mines after Roosevelt’s victory at the Battle of San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American war of 1898.
Cox was working with a team of engineers in the harsh conditions of the Sierra Maestra Mountains, where as part of their employment perks they received a monthly supply of rum. One evening while entertaining guests, Cox wanted to serve them something more sophisticated and less potent than neat rum.
He experimented by adding lime juice and sugar, and a new cocktail was born. Its popularity spread throughout the troops in the area, and the recipe was carried back to the US where it has become a staple of cocktail menus.
The strawberry daiquiri is made by straining muddled strawberries with freshly squeezed lime juice and light white rum, with a dash of sugar syrup. It can either be shaken or blended with ice to create a frozen strawberry cocktail.
Rosé Sangria
Rosé wine and strawberries are natural bedfellows, so they are ideal ingredients for a twist on the classic sangria recipe. Add other summer fruits such as raspberries and peaches, and select a dry wine to counteract the sweetness. A cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice balances out the flavours, while a dash of brandy will add some complexity.
Hawaiian Margarita
The classic margarita is made from tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. However, for some people this is a little on the sour side, so it lends itself perfectly to the addition of sweet fruits including the strawberry and pineapple chunks. Simply blend all the ingredients together with ice and serve with a pineapple wedge.
Strawberry Mojito
Everyone loves a mojito, and the drink is all the more delicious for adding some fresh muddled strawberries into the mix. However, thawed frozen strawberries will do just as well if you do not have any fresh fruit to hand.
Strawberry Martini
The strawberry martini is a simple twist on the classic drink and is super easy to make. All you need to do is pour some citrus vodka, crème de fraises, and lemon juice into a shaker and fill it with ice. Give it a good shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass for a fun party drink.
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