Motherhood and Nursing alike call us to be many things. We are called to be patient and loving care-givers, be it for a skinned-knee or a laboring woman. We are called to be resilient, in the face of the worst tantrum or nastiest patient despite our sleep deprivation and empty belly. We are urged to use creativity, for those ridiculous school projects or an unconventional way to hang an IV bag without a pole. We are the hardest workers, building and saving lives and yet we are asked to be financially responsible and cut costs wherever we can. So, for you all you parents and nurses and anyone who needs a little sweet amongst the saltiness …. Take advantage of the sweet fruit that is cheap and in season. Make yourself a drink and leave out the booze if you’re a cheap date or pour it extra heavy if it’s just one of those days … nobody’s here to judge! All of these recipes leave room to play and I think I’ve covered just about every major alcohol type except whiskey. So, there’s something for everyone!
Here are the favorite strawberry drink recipes of mine and my friends and family! (plus a few goodies I researched) :
My go-to summer drink: Gin and Tonic with fresh strawberries
- Tonic water and Gin mixed to taste with a slice of lime and fresh sliced strawberries over ice….if Gin is too grown-up for you, sub out Vodka 😉
From my sweet English friend Therese: An English summer spritzer
- Mix Pimm’s and Sprite to taste with sliced cucumber and strawberries
From Kathy, a veteran nurse and mother: Strawberry Shortcake
- Frozen strawberries, vanilla ice cream, amaretto, ice cubes. Blend ( don’t measure, recipe to taste and drink like a milk shake ).
From Gretchen, my super hip Nurse/Mom-friend: Strawberry Mojitos
- In a glass, muddle 3 strawberries, 1 TBS of simple syrup and a few mint leaves
- Add a shot of white rum, then ice, then top with seltzer water to taste
From Colleen, my doggie rescue go-to: Strawberry-infused Tequila
- Using a small-medium sized glass bowl or a glass carafe, fill the bowl half-way with whole, fresh strawberries then cover with tequila.
- Cover bowl and place in fridge for 4 or more days.
- After the four+ days drain off the tequila. You now have strawberry-infused tequila which you can drink alone or mix with lemonade and garnish with fresh fruit.
- And if you were me, you’d also eat the drunken strawberries 🙂
From my hot Chilean husband: Borgona (Chilean style sangria)
- Chop 1-2 cups of fresh strawberries and sprinkle with 1-2 TBS sugar, let sit 20 min
- Once strawberries have sat and absorbed the sugar, add 1 bottle of either white or red wine in a pitcher or glass carafe, add more sugar to taste
- Chill and serve when cold. Will keep several days in the fridge.
From some internet searches and my own inspiration: Strawberry Moscow Mules
- In a pot, simmer 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water until sugar dissolves
- To the simmering pot, add 1 cup of chopped fresh strawberries and mash with a fork while simmering another 10 min.
- Remove pot from heat and cool
- Squeeze 1 lime into the cooled strawberry mixture
- Take 1/2 cup of this mixture and add vodka and ginger beer to taste; serve with ice
- *another version includes adding basil to the heated strawberry mixture
Inspired by Crazy for crust: Strawberry Shortcake Mimosas
- In a glass, add a spoonful of chopped strawberries, a scoop of strawberry ice cream or sorbet, a shot of vanilla vodka and top with Prosecco (sweet sparkling wine) or Champaign to taste
From myincrediblerecipes.com: Strawberry Moonshine
- In a pot, heat 4 cups of sugar with 12 cups of water until sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and cool
- Add 1 1/2 cups of pureed strawberries and 4 cups of fresh lemon juice to the cooled sugar-water. Then add 5 cups of Everclear
- Mix and pour into mason jars, let sit in refrigerator for 2 weeks
- Can drink as-is or mix into lemonade etc.
- Note: Everclear is grain alcohol and carries a very high alcohol content
From dessertfortwo.com: Strawberry Rose Gin Fizz
- Sprinkle a handful of strawberries with sugar, let sit for 10 min then mash
- Shake the sweetened strawberries, 4 shots of gin, 1 tsp of rose water and a pinch of salt with ice
- Pour into 2 glasses and top with seltzer. Serve with a slice of lime.
