Strawberry Mint Vodka Cocktail

What do you do when you feel like a cocktail?  You make a cocktail. 

I don't stray too much from my beloved wine....perhaps a dirty martini or Gin and Tonic here and there but normally I'm fairly monotonous in the cocktail area.  However, I have been known on occasion to experiment and am I ever glad I did. 

I knew I had vodka, for my martini's of course.  I looked in the fridge and found strawberries and lemons.  The garden was ripe with mint.  How can that combo not work?  To work muddling, pouring and shaking I went....la de da.  First of all, the colour is a juicy pink with flecks of fresh mint but the flavour is bursting with ripe berries, a hint of citrus, refreshing mint and a good zing of vodka.  It's got kick but it's Delish.

Use only fresh lemons, don't even think about squeezing the juice out of a plastic bottle. Shame on you if you even try.  Plenty of ice cubes are a must...I used 5 each time.  Also, to muddle, use the end of a wooden spoon if you don't have the proper tools.  Read below about Simple Syrup.



It's perfectly gorgeous....

It's just so pretty!

Strawberry Mint Vodka Cocktail

Makes 1 drink

2 medium ripe strawberries, stemmed and quartered
4 or 5 small mint leaves
1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 oz Simple Syrup*
2 oz good Vodka
4-5 ice cubes

In a cocktail shaker, toss in the strawberries and mint.  Using the end of a wooden spoon or a muddler, crush the berries and mint until blended and broken up.  Pour in the lemon juice, simple syrup, vodka and ice.  Put on the lid and shake for about 20 seconds.  Pour the entire drink, ice and all into a glass. 
*To make simple syrup, bring equal parts granulated sugar and water to a simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves, making sure not to burn syrup.  This can be stored in the refrigerator for at least a month.  Make extra and you'll always have it on hand,