Fresh Strawberry Cocktails

More strawberry recipes after last week’s fresh strawberry ice cream sundae? Yep. Because strawberries are so darn good! And since warm weather is inevitable in the coming months, we need some good seasonal, fresh strawberry cocktails!

{Strawberry Gin Smash :: Fresh strawberries, lemon, and mint combine to make this gin smash a delicious cocktail that’s bright and lovely!}

Fresh Strawberry Cocktails

I’m all about good cocktails (preferably easy ones that I can manage to make on my own and, possibly, remember how to make without a recipe before long.

While the world is full of strawberry flavored items and syrups, I believe in-season fresh berries are the best for drinks. They taste fresher and lighter. Given the right berries (more below on how to get the best strawberries), they lend a natural sweetness to a drink (minus anything artificial or processed).

How to Find the Best Strawberries?

{Strawberry Tequila Sunrise :: A bright twist on a classic tequila sunrise. Make your own fresh strawberry puree to enjoy this beautiful cocktail!}

I recently started shopping at our Farmer’s Market again and have been buying strawberries each and every time. They have been absolutely DELICIOUS. We always run out halfway through the week and I can tell you, my little guy and I haven’t been going crazy. So, obviously, we’re going to need more this weekend!

Because we’ve been running out of berries, I grabbed some at the local grocery store recently. They were organic, since we try to eat primarily organic produce and Strawberries is one of those things you should REALLY eat organic. While they looked great, they had NO FLAVOR.

You know why? Berries stop ripening the second they are picked. Local berries can get to you within a day or two, so they can be picked when they’re ripe and ready to eat. Our berries were from south of the border (as a lot of warm weather produce is in cooler months). They had to be picked as soon as possible because they still had to be transported to our stores before they go bad.

{Strawberry Cucumber Vodka Gimlet :: Whip up your own strawberry simple syrup to make this warm weather drink. Cucumber vodka balances nicely with the fresh fruit syrup}

A lot of produce actually works this way, but berries are especially so. Until it’s fully berry season then, the imported ones are grocery store options and they just aren’t as good. So buy them locally at farmers market if you can, or wait until you can find the locally grown ones in the grocery stores!

And while you’re shopping, try to pick up any of these sustainable alcohol brands!

{Rossini Cocktail :: Fresh Strawberry puree provides the base for this upscale bellini. For brunch or a tasty starter drink at happy hour, you’ll love this simple recipe!}

How to Muddle Strawberries?

Now that you have the best berries on hand, let’s get to making some delicious fresh strawberry cocktails.

Some cocktails call for cut up berries while others ask you to muddle strawberries. Wondering how to do that? Not to fret; it’s easy!

If you’re fully equipped, place berries in the bottom of your cocktail shaker and smash them with your muddler.

If you aren’t quite as equipped, place cut up berries in the bottom of a glass or bowl and use a muddler, potato masher, anything with a decent sized base, or even a fork to break down the berries.

{Strawberry Ginger Sangria :: Let fresh strawberries merry with white wine and ginger beer in this summer sangria you’ll love time and time again!}

{Strawberry Rose Aperol Spritz :: If you find a traditional Aperol Spritz a little too intense for your liking, then you’ll love this addition of fresh strawberries for a fun burst of natural sweetness!}

{Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail :: If you love the combination of fruit and herbs (and you should – it’s wonderful), you’ll love this refreshing drink! Made with cucumber and mint vodka}