The highs are coming closer and closer to the 90s, and I bet you're craving something sweet and cold right about now. We were inspired by these strawberry cocktail recipes, and went on the hunt for more strawberry drinks that the whole family can enjoy. Get creative with those berries-- Crawford Farms strawberries are only here for a few months out of the year!
Tarragon Strawberry Smash
from Brooklyn Supper, makes 2 cocktails
Ingredients
For the Tarragon Simple Syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons tarragon leaves
For the cocktail
10 large strawberries plus 4 for a garnish, sliced
1 lime cut into wedges
juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup vodka
3 tablespoons tarragon leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons tarragon simple syrup
Instructions
1. In a large jar or cocktail shaker, combine the strawberries and all but 2 of the lime wedges. Use a muddler or the end of a wooden spoon to smash the berries and limes into a chunky mixture. Pull out the smashed limes, and then add a couple handfuls of ice, the lime juice, vodka, and tarragon simple syrup. Shake.
2. Pour into ice-filled highballs. Garnish with strawberry slices, a lime wedge, and a sprig of tarragon.
Strawberry Kale Smoothie
from Tablespoon.com, makes 2 smoothies
Ingredients
1 cup chopped fresh kale, stems removed
1 cup strawberries
1 frozen ripe banana
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup crushed ice
Instructions
1.Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor.
2. Blend. Add more ice if too thin; add a bit of milk or water if too thick.
3. Pour into two glasses and serve.
Strawberry Lemonade
from Food Network, makes 6 drinks
Ingredients
Zest of 1 lemon, in wide strips
2 cups sugar
2 cups chopped hulled strawberries
2 cups fresh lemon juice (from about 10 large lemons)
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Make the lemon syrup: Bring the lemon zest, 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring, until the sugar dissolves; let cool to room temperature.
2. Meanwhile, make the strawberry syrup: Toss the strawberries and the remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a bowl and let sit at room temperature until the sugar dissolves, about 45 minutes. Strain the strawberry mixture; reserve the strawberry syrup and berries separately.
3. Make the lemonade: Combine the lemon juice, lemon syrup, salt and 2 cups cold water in a pitcher. For each drink, put about 1 tablespoon of the strawberry syrup in a tall glass. Fill with ice, then top with the lemonade and some of the reserved strawberries.