GirlsGuideTo | Thirsty Thursday: Strawberry Fields Forever

A few weeks ago, I went on a mini vacation with the girls. One night we went to a fab Italian restaurant for dinner and while I stuck to the vino (my first love, sorry husband) one of my friends ordered some kind of strawberry balsamic cocktail. At first I avoided the tastes she was handing out. I mean, if it looks like a strawberry daiquiri and smells like a strawberry daiquiri…then it is a strawberry daiquiri right? No way, José! While I am not a fan of sugary sweet frozen concoctions, this was subtly sweet from the actual berries and the balsamic added a whole other taste level. It was kinda divine.

So if like me, you love berries, but are not into the super sweet strawberry daiquiris of your college years, try these strawberry wonders!

The Eden 1500º
Adapted from the bar at 1500º Miami at the Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach

The Eden is a glam drink. The basil is unexpected, and oh-so-yummy, while the ginger syrup (don’t be intimidated, it’s so easy) adds a little spice.

Ingredients (Makes 1 drink)

3 large strawberries

1 tablespoon basil, roughly chopped

1 ounce ginger syrup (Recipe here)

1-1/2 ounces gin

1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

Ice, for shaking

Strawberry coated in granulated sugar and black pepper, for garnish

Directions

In a mixing glass, muddle the strawberries, basil, and ginger syrup. Add in the gin, fresh lime juice, and ice; shake vigorously to combine. Transfer to a highball glass. Serve garnished with a sugar and pepper-coated strawberry.

The Ruby Patch
From Liquor.com

You’ve seen the sweet tea vodkas right? Well think of this as a strawberry sweet tea…with a kick. It’s super light and refreshing and the color is gorgeous!

Ingredients (Makes 1 drink)

2 medium strawberries

2 mint leaves

1.5 oz tea-Infused vodka*

.5 oz agave nectar (or simple sugar syrup)

.5 oz lemon juice

Garnish: Strawberry

Directions

In a shaker, muddle the strawberries and mint. Add the remaining ingredients and fill with ice. Shake for 10 seconds and double strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a strawberry.

*To make the Tea-Infused Vodka:

Place a Chai (or whatever you like) tea bag in a large cup and add 6 oz vodka. Let stand for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bag and squeeze over the cup.

Sparkling Strawberry Cocktail
From Everyday Food

Anything mixed with sparkling wine is good right? Then you’ll love this. Fresh strawberry puree and a bit of bubbly make this a pleasing punch!

Ingredients (Serves 8)

1 750-ml bottle of Prosecco or other sparkling wine

2 cups strawberries, hulled

2 tablespoons water

1/4 cup orange juice

1 small orange, sliced into rounds, for garnish

Mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions

In a blender, purée strawberries and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. In a pitcher or punch bowl, combine strawberry purée with orange juice and sparkling wine. Garnish with orange slices and mint.

The Seersucker
From Liquor.com

Don’t be fooled by the sweet name. The Seersucker boasts a little bite with its cinnamon syrup!

Ingredients

1 strawberry

2 oz white rum

.5 oz Cinnamon Bark Syrup*

1 oz lemon juice

Garnish: Strawberry

Directions

In a shaker, muddle the strawberry. Add the remaining ingredients and fill with ice. Shake, and strain into a pilsner glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with an additional strawberry.

*Cinnamon Bark Syrup

Ingredients:

1 cup Water

1 cup Sugar

3 Cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces

Directions

Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain, and refrigerate until needed.