22 May 2017
Welcome friends. I've been thinking about this post more than I usually do. They generally come together without much struggle. I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about or what image to use for the start of this post.
This image is from my trip to Florence, several years ago. I was there at this time of year, and I've been thinking about that trip, lately. It shows the Ponte Vecchio and the Arno at sunset. I recently went to lunch with my core crew of coworkers. They were also on this trip. I rarely take the opportunity to go out for lunch. I'm so fortunate to be able to work with such talented people, and blessed by our friendships.
If you've read a few of my recipes, you know that I like to make liqueurs. I've tried several times to capture the flavor of strawberries, but those attempts have always fallen short. There is something ephemeral about the flavor of strawberries, and I just can't capture it. I like the varieties sold at the farmer's markets, which are now starting up again. The berries are smaller and softer and more flavorful than the ones that I find in supermarkets.
Last year, I discovered orange blossom water. I love it. It adds a flavor that is both citrus and floral. I live near a middle eastern grocery, and I can always find it there. I'm not sure if a supermarket would carry it. The ginger beer may also not be available at supermarkets. I usually pick it up at World Market or Whole Foods. It is a little different from ginger ale, but it does not contain alcohol.
When I started writing this post, I was only thinking of a version with alcohol, but then I realized that it would be easy to make a mocktail with this formula by changing it up a little. I was also using a food processor to chop up the strawberries, but I think they are better if you cut them into chunks. The small pieces that you get with a food processor all float to the top and crowd the top of the glass.
Strawberry Fizz
10 min. prep time
Ingredients
serves 1
- for the mocktail
- 3 fresh strawberrries
- 4 Tbl fresh orange juice
- 2 Tbl pomegranate juice
- 1/2 tsp orange blossom water
- 6 ounces of ginger beer, cold
- 1 fresh basil leaf, chiffonade
- for the cocktail
- 3 fresh strawberrries
- 2 Tbl fresh orange juice
- 2 Tbl Grand Marnier
- 1 Tbl Aperol
- 1/2 tsp orange blossom water
- 6 ounces of ginger beer, cold
- 1 fresh basil leaf, chiffonade
Directions
cut the strawberries into bits and place them in a tall glass. Add the juices and alcohol, if you are using it, to the glass. Stir the mixture and use the back of a large spoon to muddle the strawberries a little. Let the mixture rest for a minute or two.
roll the basil leaf into a tube and cut it into fine strips.
add the orange blossom water to the mixture.
add the basil and the ginger beer. Give it a couple of stirs and enjoy.