Strawberry Gin Fizz

Growing up in Virginia, in the heart of apple country, picking apples was one of my all-time favorite fall activities. In the summer it was peaches and blackberries, but in the spring, it was strawberries. I can remember lots of cool spring evenings that ended with strawberry shortcake on the back porch and strawberry jam with the leftovers.

While South Carolina isn’t exactly apple country, we have no shortage of strawberries in spring. Last weekend my friend and I headed out to Wadmalaw Island to one of my favorite places, Ambrose Family Farm. We grabbed a bucket and headed out to pick. Four pounds later I was online looking for good recipes to try out. Luckily, I came across a photo from High Wire Distilling that I just couldn’t resist, fresh strawberry syrup for a strawberry gin fizz. It was perfectly simple, made the house smell amazing, and we enjoyed our cocktails on the porch while we watched the first thunderstorm of the season.

(via)

1 oz. strawberry syrup (recipe below)

2 oz. gin (High Wire’s Hat Trick gin is my favorite)

4 oz. club soda (or to taste)

Strawberries for garnish

4 cups of water

2 cups strawberries

1 cup of sugar

Boil the water and strawberries for 30 minutes, until the strawberries turn white. Strain the strawberries and throw them away. Add one cup of sugar and heat to dissolve. Allow the syrup to cool before mixing your drink.

Just an afterthought – I bet this would be wonderful with some muddled mint.

I’m off to test it out now!