Strawberry picking is a yearly ritual at our house, along with pick your own blueberries, raspberries and apples. Last week, I read an article on strawberry picking and posted a link on the Friends Food Family Facebook Fanpage for the Boston Globe's Pick Your Own Strawberries.
On Saturday, we headed to Bridgewater and picked almost 10 pounds of strawberries at C.N. Smith Farms. Between giving a few pounds away, and making a number of delicious strawberry drinks and dishes, we only have a small bowl of strawberries to nibble on.
Before we had left, I searched through strawberry recipes so that I could enjoy the deliciousness of freshly picked strawberries and it started with this, a Strawberry Limonada. This recipe was adapted from a recipe called Limonada Blanca from Viva Margarita: Fabulous Fiestas in a Glass, Munchies, and More. I knew I wanted to make a strawberry lemonade style of margarita and this was perfect.
It starts with simple syrup -
1/2 cup of white sugar
1/2 cup of water
Place the two ingredients in a small pan and heat until the mixture boils, take off the stove and allow to cool for an hour. This simple syrup is great to have for margaritas or mojitos.
Now for the Limonada -
1/2 cup of strawberries, chopped
1/2 cup (8 ounces) of silver tequila
1/4 cup (4 ounces) of limoncello liquor
3/4 cup (6 ounces) of lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/8 cup of simple syrup
1/4 cup chopped mint
Club soda (I used Market Pantry Strawberry Lemondade Sparkling Water)
In a pitcher, mix together the tequila, limoncello, lemon juice and simple syrup. Once incorporated, add the strawberries and mint. Place ice in four glasses and divide the mixture among the four glasses. Top off the mixture with the club soda/sparkling water. I used about 1/2 cup in each glass.
These drinks were like sipping fresh lemonade and I loved getting a piece of fresh strawberry with each sip.
I will make two suggestions:
1. For those who like their lemonade sweeter, I added an additional tablespoon of simple syrup to my glass.
2. If you don't like things floating in your drink, mix all the ingredients, except the club soda/sparkling water and refrigerate for 1 hour or more. This will allow the strawberries and mint to become incorporated in the mixture. Strain before serving and add club soda.
Either way, this drink is refreshingly delicious.
