With the abundance of strawberry cocktails out there, it is hard to know which you should make for your guests (or even just for yourself) however, this list will give you everything you need to come to the best decision.
Strawberry Daiquiri
Starting off with the most popular of all – the strawberry daiquiri.
To make one of these, you will need:
- 60ml light rum
- 15ml lime juice (preferably freshly squeezed)
- 30ml simple syrup*
- 2 or 3 strawberries
- 140g ice
- 1 whole strawberry for garnish
*Simple syrup is an ingredient you will need to make yourself. Just heat up sugar and water (equal quantities of each) until the sugar has fully dissolved. This won’t take very long, so you can start making your delicious strawberry delights straight away.
Method:
1. Place all of the ingredients (except the strawberry, which you’ll need for garnishing) into a powerful blender.
2. Start to blend at a high speed until the mixture is completely smooth.
3. Pour the blender contents into a chilled margarita glass.
4. Don’t forget to add the left-over strawberry as extra adornment – either cut it up and place on the top or slot the entire berry over the rim of the glass.
Strawberry Gin and Tonic
Gin and tonic has become increasingly popular since the outbreak of pink gins but this recipe ramps up the nation’s favourite drink with the familiar, sweet taste of strawberries.
To make one of these, you will need:
- 45ml gin
- 15ml lime juice (again, preferably freshly made)
- 15ml strawberry simple syrup**
- Dash orange bitters***
- 120ml-160ml tonic water
- 1 fresh strawberry
**Strawberry simple syrup can be bought but it’s extremely easy to make yourself, find the recipe at the bottom of this list.
*** Bitters are used in many bars and are concentrated flavour solutions that spice up the drink, despite the tiny amount used.
Method:
1. Put a few ice cubes in a glass.
2. Pour the gin, lime juice and the ready-made strawberry syrup into the same glass.
3. Stir thoroughly.
4. Tip the tonic water into the glass until it’s full.
5. Garnish the top with a fresh strawberry.
Champagne Bowler
If you’re a fan of the bubbles as well as the dry, fruitiness of white wine then the Champagne Bowler will delight all your senses.
To make one of these, you will need:
- 3 fresh and sliced strawberries
- 15ml simple syrup*
- 15ml cognac
- 30ml white wine
- 120ml sparkling wine
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
*See the first recipe to learn how to make this easy concoction.
Method:
1. Place the 3 strawberries and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker.
2. Muddle thoroughly (use a muddler (like a pestle and mortar but made specifically for bar work) to mix together the strawberries and syrup).
3. Once they’re combined, fill the shaker half way with ice cubes.
4. Pour the cognac and white wine into the mixture too.
5. Shake, shake, shake.
6. Acquire a wine glass and pour everything from the shaker into it.
7. Top up with the sparkling wine.
8. Garnish with fresh strawberries.
Strawberry Basil Mint Cocktail
The combination of strawberries and basil is widely known as the perfect pairing; this recipe goes one step further with a kick of mint to tingle your taste buds even more.
To make seven of these, you will need:
- 600g strawberries (hulled)
- 60ml fresh mint
- 240ml fresh basil
- 120ml freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 475ml carbonated water
- 5 tbsp light agave nectar
- 120ml Grand Marnier (this is completely optional)
Method:
1. Put all the ingredients into a blender.
2. Blend thoroughly.
3. Strain with a fine-meshed sieve, allowing all the herbs to be removed.
4. Pour into glasses that have been pre-filled with ice.
Strawberry Kiwi Sangria
This sangria brings the tropical beaches to you with the addition of kiwi, so get ready to sip away the summer days while dreaming of the white-sand Hawaiian lands.
To make seven of these, you will need:
- 450g strawberries, hulled and halved
- 4 kiwis, peeled and sliced
- 1 lime, sliced
- 750ml white wine
- 120ml light rum
- 60ml honey (purely optional)
- Lemon-lime tonic
Method:
1. Place the kiwis, strawberries, lime, wine and rum into an appropriately-sized pitcher.
2. If you’ve chosen to use the honey, pour that in now.
3. Cover with cling film or bees wax wraps.
4. Place in the fridge for 6-12 hours (overnight is perfect).
5. Take out of the fridge.
6. Stir carefully with a large wooden spoon.
7. Choose your preferred glasses and fill each approximately two thirds full of the sangria mix.
8. Add in some chunks of chopped fruit.
9. Complete the drink by adding the lemon-lime tonic to fill up the space in the glass.
**Strawberry Simple Syrup
Strawberry simple syrup is a fantastic addition to your ingredient cupboard as you’ll be able to make delicious, sweet tasting drinks all your round – even when it’s out of berry season.
To make 32 servings, you will need:
- 84g sliced strawberries
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- 200g granulated sugar
- 240ml water
Additionally, ½ tsp orange or lemon zest, 2 tbsp mint, rosemary or basil, 1 tbsp cardamom pods and/or 1 ½ tbsp balsamic vinegar.
Method:
1. Muddle the strawberries. A muddler is the equivalent to a pestle and mortar, just a type made specifically for bartending.
2. Place the sugar and water into a sauce pan.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil slowly, ensuring you constantly stir it.
4. Once it’s at a boil, lower the heat and place the strawberries and vanilla extract into it.
5. Cover the saucepan and leave it simmering for 5 minutes.
6. Take off the stove and let the mixture cool for 2 hours.
7. Strain it and bottle it into an air-tight container.
8. It should keep in the fridge for around 2 weeks.
Of course, now it’s time for the taste test! Enjoy these deliciously sweet and refreshing cocktails right up until the last few moments of summer.
