We’re cheers-ing to spring with our favorite festive, seasonal cocktail. This take on strawberry-lemonade features three DIY components – homemade strawberry jam, pink simple syrup, and flower ice cubes – that are all delicious and beautiful on their own, but even better when served together (especially when you add vodka!) We’re sharing the recipe for each component below so you can make this refreshing drink right in your own kitchen.
Short on time? We have a trick or two up our sleeves, so stay-tuned to the end to see a few ways to shortcut the recipe.
Strawberry-Lemonade Cocktail with Flower Ice Cubes
INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)
6 Oz. Strawberries
1 Cup Sugar
½ lemon
8 Oz. Vodka
1 Cup Sugar
4 Lemons
2 Cans Soda Water
Edible Flowers
Salt
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
1 Cocktail shaker (or Mason Jar)
1 Ice Cube Tray
RECIPE
Make the Flower Ice Cubes:
In a large ice cube tray, insert 1 edible flower per space and top with hot tap water. Transfer to the freezer and freeze overnight. (Believe it or not, hot water freezes faster—weird, right?—so it yields quicker ice cubes that are more clear!)
Make the Strawberry Jam:
In a medium pot, combine 6 oz. cored and chopped strawberries, 1/3 cup sugar, the juice of 1/2 lemon, and one pinch salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes, or until thickened and syrupy. Transfer the strawberry jam to a plate and spread out with a rubber spatula to cool. Transfer to a jar and store in refrigerator until ready to build your cocktail.
Make the Simple Syrup:
In the same pot used to make the strawberry jam, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to a jar and store in the refrigerator until ready to build your cocktail.
Mix Your Drink
In a tall glass, add 1 tablespoon homemade strawberry jam and top with several ice cubes. In a shaker filled with regular ice, combine 1 teaspoon homemade strawberry jam, 2 oz. vodka, 1 oz. fresh lemon juice and 1/2 oz. simple syrup. Shake until the shaker is too cold to handle. Strain into the tall glass and top off with as much soda water as you’d like.
Cheers, chefs!
Short on time? Try these tricks for a quicker strawberry-lemonade experience
1. Pick up a jar of strawberry jam at your local market. The fewer the ingredients, the better! While we prefer homemade, we don’t always have the time.
2. Boil water for your flower ice cubes. When it has cooled enough so that it will not to melt the plastic, add it to your ice cube tray. Submerge the flowers with a spoon. Put the tray in the freezer.
3. Don’t have time to hunt down edible flowers? You can use herbs or a bouquet of regular flowers as it is unlikely that your ice cube will melt all the way through. Just make sure to thoroughly wash everything before putting it in the ice cube tray.
