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Spiked Vanilla Milkshake with Strawberry “Boba” Pearls

July 17, 2019 by elana 4 Comments

Kerrygold Spiked Vanilla Milkshake with Strawberry Boba // stirandstrain.com

This post was made in partnership with Kerrygold Irish Cream. Recipe and ideas are my own.

Years ago, when I was working a 9-5 job where I left my house and went into an office, my day-to-day activities often including working with chefs. Whether they were designing a new commercial kitchen here in Southern California, looking for hard to find ingredients, sourcing pallet loads of Cambro containers, or looking to gain some exposure by hosting a demo in our test kitchen. It was working with these chefs where I first heard of molecular gastronomy; not from watching Top Chef, although when they started getting technical on the show suddenly we had to learn about a lot more techniques and answer some interesting questions from viewers of the show.

Kerrygold Spiked Vanilla Milkshake with Strawberry Boba // stirandstrain.com Kerrygold Spiked Vanilla Milkshake with Strawberry Boba // stirandstrain.comAlthough dubbed a fad by many, the excitement waning for most diners, the techniques still hold a fascination with me. This probably has to do with my love of chemistry as a young person that has carried through decades later. Recently, for a separate project outside of this site, I decided to relearn a technique called reverse spherification, and in doing so learned of a new-to-me technique called frozen reverse-spherification. The very abridged explanation of this technique is to turn a liquid into a sphere shaped jelly-like solid. Cool, right?

Kerrygold Spiked Vanilla Milkshake with Strawberry Boba // stirandstrain.comSo, that brings us to today’s recipe, made in partnership with our friends over at Kerrygold Irish Cream. When thinking about some fun summertime recipes to make, the idea of milkshakes came up, but here in Los Angeles, I’m more likely to run across a boba shop than a milkshake shop, so I thought, why not combine the two? However, we’re using some artistic license here and instead of the tapioca pearls found in your boba tea, we’ll be using flavorful strawberry spheres instead. Because, while some might like their stone fruit during the summer, it’s all about the berries for me.

Kerrygold Spiked Vanilla Milkshake with Strawberry Boba // stirandstrain.comI bring up the molecular gastronomy because you can, in fact, make these spheres, and I will list a few of my go-to resources below. However, because it’s summer and we don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen making spherification baths all day, I’m also listing where you can buy these strawberry spheres. So now you can follow your own adventure.

I’m thinking of this shake as a modern take on the Neapolitan flavors of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Vanilla ice cream is spiked here with the rich, creamy chocolate found in Kerrygold Irish Cream (along with some Irish whiskey for good measure), and little spheres bursting with strawberry flavor are peppered throughout the drink. I don’t think a milkshake is complete until it has been topped with whipped cream, and if you’re going to go for it, you should definitely add some sprinkles too. It’s summer, celebrate.

Kerrygold Spiked Vanilla Milkshake with Strawberry Boba // stirandstrain.comI’ve listed my resources for the reverse spherification process below the recipe if you’d like to try your hand at that!

Spiked Vanilla Milkshake with Strawberry “Boba” Pearls

2-3 scoops vanilla ice cream
1 ounce Kerrygold Irish Cream Liqueur
1/4 cup milk
1/2 to 1 cup strawberry pearls (or “bursting boba” like these)
whipped cream
rainbow sprinkles

In a blender, combine the ice cream, Kerrygold Irish Cream Liqueur, and milk. Blend until smooth. Pour a small layer of strawberry pearls into the bottom of a pint glass or soda glass. Pour in the milkshake mixture. Top with whipped cream, a few more strawberry pearls, and sprinkles. Enjoy!

Kerrygold Spiked Vanilla Milkshake with Strawberry Boba // stirandstrain.comResources:

If you’d like to try your hand at reverse spherification, you’ll need a few items and tools you probably don’t have in your pantry. Here’s what I currently use:

  • distilled water (you cannot use tap water or filtered water as there shouldn’t be any calcium present)
  • Sphere Magic
  • calcium lactate gluconate
  • scale that weighs down to 0.1 grams
  • small sphere ice mold

Once you have your items, you’ll need to create your spherification bath and infuse the liquid you want to use with the spherification agent. I usually use the Chef Steps site for my instructions but I HIGHLY suggest you check out some YouTube videos to watch how to move from one step to the next. Also, I’m here for questions!

  1. Spherification Bath
  2. Frozen Reverse Spherification

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: blended, bursting boba, ice cream, Kerrygold Irish Cream, strawberry, summer, vanilla

Make or Buy: Strawberry Liqueur

May 31, 2019 by elana Leave a Comment

Make or Buy: Strawberry Liqueur // stirandstrain.comWe are currently running through a pint of strawberries every few days at our house. Regardless of the weather outside, it doesn’t really feel like summer to me until the berries start rolling in. As per usual, I overbuy and then have to look for ways other than just straight eating them. So, for this month’s Make or Buy, we’re looking at strawberry liqueur!

Make or Buy: Strawberry Liqueur // stirandstrain.comStrawberry liqueur is super versatile, and I think especially tasty during the summer, but also nice to have on hand as summer turns towards fall. You can splash it into some club soda, flavor a multitude of cocktails, but my most favorite way is to use it in a Margarita (because of course!). If you make it, please let me know how you use YOUR bottle!

Make or Buy: Strawberry Liqueur // stirandstrain.comTo Buy: G.E. Massenez Creme a la Fraise des Bois

  • Pros:
    • Readily available online and in stores
    • Long shelf life (6+ months)
    • Consistent flavor and color
  • Cons:
    • Muted strawberry flavor and color
    • Cannot change viscosity or sweetness level
    • Alcohol is more pronounced than strawberry flavor

Make or Buy: Strawberry Liqueur // stirandstrain.comTo Make: Strawberry Liqueur

  • Pros:
    • Short wait time to make
    • Fresh strawberry flavor and strong strawberry aroma
    • Bright, beautiful color
    • Can adjust sweetness levels
  • Cons:
    • You must make the liqueur
    • Not immediately available
    • Flavor and color may not be consistent
    • Bad batch of strawberries can ruin flavor of liqueur

Make or Buy: Strawberry Liqueur // stirandstrain.comAnd how do they compare in a cocktail? Well, of course I had to try both liqueurs out in my Strawberry Margarita recipe. Usually I would also add fresh strawberries in, but since I was testing out to compare side by side with the liqueurs I left them out (but I do highly suggest adding a few slices and muddling them in!). The store bought liqueur had a strong strawberry taste and slightly spicy flavor added to the Margarita. The color was significantly darker as well. The homemade liqueur Margarita was lighter in flavor, color, and body. Not necessarily a bad thing, just different. Both were definitely strawberry in aroma but each one on opposite ends of flavor and color.

Make or Buy: Strawberry Liqueur // stirandstrain.com

Strawberry Liqueur

1 pint (16 ounces) strawberries, roughly chopped
1-3/4 cups vodka
2 cups sugar
1 cup water

  • Combine the strawberries and vodka in an airtight jar. Shake to combine and let sit for three days in a cool, dark place. After three days, strain through fine cheesecloth or a nut bag (my preferred way!) and make sure all small bits are removed. Discard strawberries.
  • Next, make the rich syrup by combining sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir constantly until sugar is dissolved and let the mixture come to a boil and immediately remove from the heat. Let cool to room temperature and combine with the strawberry liquid. Let sit an additional day to meld. Then liqueur is ready to use. Store in a cool, dry place or refrigerator up to three months.

Strawberry Margarita

1-1/2 ounces tequila blanco
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
1 ounce strawberry liqueur
salt for rim
strawberry slices for garnish, optional

First, squeeze your lime juice and set aside. Using the spent lime shell, rub around the outside rim of the glass and roll rim in salt. Set glass aside. In a mixing glass filled 2/3 with ice, combine, tequila, lime juice and strawberry liqueur. Shake 20 seconds and strain into prepared glass. Optionally add strawberry slices to glass to garnish.

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Filed Under: Make It, Make or Buy, Recipes Tagged With: make it, make or buy, strawberry, vodka

Fresh Strawberry Puree and Mixed Citrus Mimosas

May 16, 2019 by elana 1 Comment

Truvia Strawberry Orange Mimosa // stirandstrain.comThis post was made in partnership with Truvia®. Recipes and ideas are my own.

It’s May, and we are full swing into all the bridal showers, baby showers, outdoor brunches, weddings, and any other excuse you can think of to drink bubbly cocktails outdoors. I consider this to be the height of outdoor drinking season because the breezes are cool here in SoCal and it’s comfortable in the shade. Come August, FORGET IT. I’m inside with the AC on.

Truvia Strawberry Orange Mimosa // stirandstrain.comTruvia Strawberry Orange Mimosa // stirandstrain.comIt’s no wonder that May also contains National Mimosa Day; in fact, it’s today! If all you know about Mimosas are the cheap, sparkling wine drinks offered “bottomless” at your local brunch spot, let me change that notion with this vibrant, delicious spin on the classic brunch cocktail. We’ve teamed up with Truvia® to add a little zero-calorie, natural sweetness to this fruity, sparkling cocktail.

Truvia Strawberry Orange Mimosa // stirandstrain.comOrange juice and sparkling wine can be fine, but mostly, just a flat, one note drink. Here I’ve pureed sweet tart strawberries that have been lightly spiced with cardamom and vanilla, and combined that with orange and lime juice, so you have a sour balance to the sweet. The strawberry puree is sweetened with just three Truvia Natural Sweetener packets; no measuring spoons needed!

Now, do me a favor and use a good prosecco or champagne. A Mimosa is not a reason to use that weird bottle someone regifted you sitting in the back of your pantry. If you want a tasty Mimosa, use a good sparkling wine (if you’d drink it on its own, it’s good to use here). You’ll want something dryer to balance out the fruit; this drink is all about balance. Also, if you think that vanilla and cardamom are bold flavors, you’re right! However, mixed in with all the other ingredients here the vanilla is subtle and the cardamom has the perfect amount of kick. It all results in a lovely, springy drink, with fewer calories than the full sugar version thanks to Truvia.

With just a little pre-planning, you can have some gorgeous, tasty drinks for your next outdoor soiree. Happy brunching!

Truvia Strawberry Orange Mimosa // stirandstrain.comNotes:

  • This recipe is easily scalable and can be batched ahead of time minus the sparkling wine.
  • If you do not own an immersion blender to make the puree, you can throw the cooked down strawberries into a blender, or just leave a little chunky as-is.
  • Make it non-alcoholic! Use a good quality non-alcoholic sparkling wine. They exist now and are really good when you can’t have, or don’t want, the alcohol.

Truvia Strawberry Orange Mimosa // stirandstrain.comFresh Strawberry Purée and Mixed Citrus Mimosas

For the strawberry puree:
1 cup chopped strawberries
3 Truvia Natural Sweetener packets
1/2 vanilla bean pod
pinch of ground cardamom (or seeds from 4 green cardamom pods, crushed)
1/4 cup water

Combine chopped strawberries and Truvia packets in a small bowl. Lightly mash together and let sit 10 minutes. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the mashed strawberries with any juice in the bowl, vanilla pod, ground cardamom, and water. Bring to just under a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cover for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and discard vanilla pod. Let the strawberries cool to room temperature. Using an immersion blender, blend strawberries until smooth (see note above if immersion blender is not available). Use immediately or store in an air-tight container, refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Truvia Strawberry Orange Mimosa // stirandstrain.comFor the cocktails (yields two cocktails):
2 tablespoons strawberry puree (recipe above), divided
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
6 ounces good quality orange juice
6 ounces prosecco or champagne
strawberry slices and orange wheels for garnish

In two champagne glasses add one tablespoon of strawberry puree each. Mix together the lime juice and orange juice in a large mixing glass and divide between two glasses. Top with 3 ounces each of the sparkling wine. Gently mix to combine. Garnish with strawberry slices and orange wheels. Cheers!

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: brunch, cardamom, lime, orange juice, sparkling wine, strawberry, Truvia, vanilla

Strawberry-Rhubarb Amaro Cobbler Cocktail

April 18, 2019 by elana 3 Comments

Amaro Lucano Strawberry-rhubarb Cobbler Cocktail // stirandstrain.comThis post is made in partnership with Amaro Lucano. Recipes and ideas are my own.

If you’re looking for a springy cocktail to serve for your Easter weekend that’s bursting with flavors, fruit and flowers: look no further! We’ve teamed up with Amaro Lucano, one of our fav amari for mixing up cocktails, to show you how you can create a low ABV cocktail that is a sheer delight to look at and to drink!

Amaro Lucano Strawberry-rhubarb Cobbler Cocktail // stirandstrain.comThe flowers here in SoCal are everywhere (I’m sure you caught a poppy or two on Instagram)! But did you know some of those gorgeous blooms are edible? And today our cocktail is brimming with a whole bunch of colorful spring flowers that are safe for cocktail garnishes and also super pretty to look at. While you may not want to taste all of them, if you do, you’ll find tastes ranging from cucumber (borage) to raw green beans (bachelor’s buttons) to slightly bitter and spicy (chrysanthemum). All of these can add to the flavor and aroma of this amaro-based cocktail, a Strawberry-Rhubarb Amaro Cobbler Cocktail.

Amaro Lucano Strawberry-rhubarb Cobbler Cocktail // stirandstrain.comIsn’t cobbler a dessert?! Well, yes. Many people will be familiar with the cobbler as a baked good, but a cobbler cocktail is like a fancy dessert… in the cocktail world! I go into the cobbler a bit in this post, but for brevity, a cobbler is a very old style of cocktail that is made with crushed ice and garnished by decorating the drink in a fanciful manner with seasonal fruits (and here we’re adding flowers as well). Usually it is served with a tiny spoon to eat the fruits with as well. Sherry is often the spirit used most with this drink, but I thought an amaro would be a great base.

Amaro Lucano Strawberry-rhubarb Cobbler Cocktail // stirandstrain.comAmaro Lucano has been a staple in my home bar for awhile now (and that 93 point rating from Wine Spectator would tell me some of you enjoy it a lot too!). Amaro Lucano has a mild, bittersweet taste that is great on its own, but lovely in cocktails. There are some citrus and herbal notes here too (which isn’t surprising as it’s blended with over 30 herbs!) and I thought they’d pair really well with the strawberry-rhubarb syrup as well as the flowers in the garnish. Since I wanted an easy drinking, low ABV cocktail to pair with my Easter brunch, Amaro Lucano fits the bill with an ABV of 28%.

And what does it all taste like? Well, you get a bittersweet start to the drink with a nice sweetness from the strawberry-rhubarb syrup. I included a float of Lucano’s Anniversario Limoncello for a sharp note of citrus and to further enhance the citrus profile. The finish has some herbal notes to it but I like the surprise subtle licorice flavor that ends your sip.

Amaro Lucano Strawberry-rhubarb Cobbler Cocktail // stirandstrain.comI really love that people are so into flowers, and gardening, and just taking some time to enjoy nature; this is one current trend I can get behind! Maybe we could all do it with a lot less handheld devices though… but still, at least everyone’s getting outdoors.

If you’ve been following along on Instagram and my Stories this past month or so, you’ve heard me talk about how easy it is to grow a few essentials in a “Cocktail Garden” whether you’ve got a whole back yard to work with, or just a windowsill. Currently I’m growing in a windowsill (cilantro, basil), on a porch (chives, strawberries), and I have an entire front yard area overrun by rosemary (if you’re in SoCal and need some send me a DM). Plans are underway to start some landscaping and garden building in my backyard but that’s going to take awhile. Until then though I am fortunate enough to have my friend Kristin, who runs DineXDesign.com, and her wonderland of a garden who generously provided all of these edible blooms for me to garnish drinks with. All of these flowers you could easily grow in containers so you too can have a variety of blooms to garnish your cocktails with.

Ok, let’s mix some drinks!

Amaro Lucano Strawberry-rhubarb Cobbler Cocktail // stirandstrain.comStrawberry-Rhubarb Amaro Cobbler Cocktail

1 tablespoon reserved strawberry-rhubarb compote from syrup
1-1/2 cups crushed ice, divided
2 ounces Amaro Lucano
1-1/4 ounce strawberry-rhubarb syrup (recipe below)
1/4 ounce Lucano Anniversario Limoncello
fresh fruit and edible flowers for garnish

In a double rocks glass or goblet glass, build your drink by spooning in fruit at bottom of glass. Add in about one cup of crushed ice. Pour in Amaro Lucano and strawberry-rhubarb syrup. Pack glass with additional ice, leaving about 1/2″ from top of glass. Drizzle Limoncello over the ice. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with fruit and edible flowers and enjoy with a straw (or eat fruit first, your choice!).

Strawberry-Rhubarb Syrup – yields about 1 cup

1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup rhubarb chunks (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup chopped strawberries

Combine water and sugar in a medium saucepan over high heat. Stir to dissolve sugar. When sugar has dissolved, add in rhubarb (if using frozen no need to defrost) and strawberries. Stir to combine and let the mixture come to a boil. Once a boil is reached, lower to a simmer, cover, and let simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and let stand 15 minutes. Strain solids and set aside. Let syrup cool to room temperature before using. Once cool, use immediately, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to two weeks.

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: amaro, Amaro Lucano, cocktail garden, easter, flowers, limoncello, Lucano Anniversario Limoncello, rhubarb, spring, strawberry

The Brunch Round Up

March 13, 2015 by elana Leave a Comment

It’s not very often that I do a theme week around here, but I think we can all agree that brunch is definitely worth the effort. I hope you all enjoy some pineapple or a little pisco this weekend. But if you’d like some more options, here are a few below.

Sparkling Grapefruit and Lillet Rosé Sangria // stirandstrain.com

Sparkling Grapefruit and Lillet Rosé Sangria

Not-So-Classic Strawberry-Rhubarb Fizz Cocktail // stirandstrain.com

Not-So-Classic Strawberry-Rhubarb Fizz Cocktail

Watch that pour!

Róse Champagne Cocktail

Frozen Cucumber and Green Chartreuse Daiquiri Cocktail // stirandstrain.com

Frozen Peach, White Pepper and Green Tea & Cucumber and Green Chartreuse Daiquiri Cocktail

Sparkling and Spiced WInter Sangria // stirandstrain.com

Sparkling and Spiced Winter Sangria

**Also, today is the last day to get your nominations in for the Saveur Best Blog awards. If you’d enjoyed the content on here, please consider Stir and Strain for best cocktail site!

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: bottled cocktails, brunch, champagne, Grapefruit, Green Chartreuse, green tea, Lillet Rosé, rum, sangria, strawberry

MxMo: Sweet Corn and Strawberry Smash

July 28, 2014 by elana 11 Comments

Mixology Monday: Sweet Corn and Strawberry Smash #Cocktail // stirandstrain.com

Mixology Monday Logo

For this month’s Mixology Monday, hosted by the Stacy Markow blog, we get to play with the theme “Smashes” (read the whole post here).

You guys might have noticed I’ve had a couple Smashes on here lately, reason being that summer is one of the best times for making these drinks because they highlight so many of the awesome seasonal ingredients that are around. I always love berries in these, but for this month’s challenge, I wanted to mix it up a bit. And right now sweet corn is in season.Mixology Monday: Sweet Corn and Strawberry Smash #Cocktail // stirandstrain.com

Oh yeah, corn. In a cocktail. I only just heard of a few cocktails that use corn as an ingredient, but after poking around the internet for a little bit, I noticed that using corn isn’t SO new, it’s just not done that much. Here’s the trick though for getting this to work: please buy your corn from the farmers market where it’s in season and is super flavorful. Otherwise, it’s not going to pop in flavor and will just be a waste of time. You’ve been warned.

Strawberries are also in season and I just can’t help myself. So I’ve mixed them in this cocktail with the corn for a little sweet-tart flavor. Hey, it works in the salads I make, and it works here too.Mixology Monday: Sweet Corn and Strawberry Smash #Cocktail // stirandstrain.com

So let’s embrace summer produce before it all goes away and we’re cursing the early setting sun and I try to tell you how awesome winter squash cocktails are. Get shuckin’!

2 ounces white rum, Caña Brava used here
1/2 cup fresh sweet corn kernels
1 small strawberry, sliced
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
2-3 drops Bitter Tears “Scarlet” strawberry chili bitters*
1 whole strawberry for garnish

In the bottom of a mixing glass, muddle together strawberry slices, lime juice and simple syrup. Add corn kernels and muddle until broken up (some kernels will remain whole). Add rum and bitters. Fill glass with ice and shake hard for about 30 seconds. Double strain into a rocks glass, fill glass with crushed ice, and add strawberry garnish.

The corn is sweet and subtle and pairs exceptionally well with the strawberry. Be careful not to use too large a strawberry so that there’s a balance of flavor. The strawberry can be overpowering if you use too much. Overall a light, refreshing cocktail that can be savored without feeling too watered down with all that ice. The bitters add some extra juicy strawberry sweetness with a kick of heat from the chili.

Thanks to Stacy for hosting this month and Fred for keeping this cocktail party going. Can’t wait to see what everyone came up with this month!

 

*Items generously given gratis and appear here because I like them. For more info on sponsored products, affiliate links, and gifted booze, please visit the About page.

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Filed Under: Mixology Monday, Recipes Tagged With: Bitter Tears "Scarlet" strawberry chili bitters, Caña Brava white rum, corn, lime, simple syrup, smashes, strawberry

Not-so-classic Strawberry Rhubarb Fizz and making blogging a business

May 14, 2014 by elana 3 Comments

Not-So-Classic Strawberry-Rhubarb Fizz Cocktail // stirandstrain.comIt’s one thing to feel inspired and be compelled to create, and then there’s the “oh crap, this is a business too and I have to find out about federal tax numbers” side to running a website full time. If you asked me what the scariest thing I’ve done in the past 6 months was, almost instantly from my mouth I’d spit out that clicking send on creating my LLC was it. That was a terrifying moment in my life; it made all of this REAL.

Now, before I get the onslaught of questioning smirks, let me clarify that just posting blog posts on here is not the whole of my business. If it was, there would be posts every day and my liver would need to get replaced every other year. I freelance outside of this space, write for other publications, create custom cocktails for parties and private events and sometimes even for people I never meet over the internet. Also, soon, like in less than a month, the first monthly Tiki of yesteryear inspired Supper Club starts up (if you’re in Los Angeles, sign up here for details). In just 5 months my life went from a steady 9 to 5 to a hodgepodge of randomly occurring activities that on most days feels out of control.Not-So-Classic Strawberry-Rhubarb Fizz Cocktail // stirandstrain.com

When you go from having a boss to being your boss you need to try not to crack up… daily.

You also need to get an editorial calendar, consider your brand, and try and put pants on by 11am. This past week, again, I took in a wealth of information in the form of a conference. This time my focus is on being a business lady. Can I mention how much I love the hashtag #bizlady? No? Move on? Ok.

Creating an LLC, was a big, big, big step. And then you move on and the next step is getting serious about having and maintaining a business. Did I know about incorporating and pass-through sole proprietorships last month? No. But now I do. Did I give a second to consider creating a media kit to send out to potential advertisers and sponsors? No. But now I’m on top of that. If you want to get serious about business, the worst thing you can do is be in the dark on these things. Then you’re just sitting around in yoga pants at 2 in the afternoon hating on people and that’s not a good look for you.

Attending an online conference is almost as exhausting as attending a face to face conference, especially if the information being presented to you is relevant and makes your brain work overtime. It also means you’re sitting in a chair trolling the internet between classes catching up on missed tweets and the fact that everyone else has access to rhubarb except you. Seriously, what the hell?Not-So-Classic Strawberry-Rhubarb Fizz Cocktail // stirandstrain.com

This recipe bordered on being an Instagram photo and just another “Cocktail Quickie”, except I was muddling the strawberries and thought to myself: it deserved its own post. Also, this was the only way it seemed I would get rhubarbs up onto this site.

1-1/2 ouces G’Vine Gin*
3 medium strawberries, hulled and quartered
1/2″ ginger, peeled and sliced
4-6 ounces Dry Rhubarb Soda

  • In the bottom of a shaker, muddle strawberries and ginger. Add gin and ice. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice and top with soda.

Slight bite from the ginger and a pop of berry flavor to start with a whole lot of effervescent rhubarb. This gin is unique in that it is grape-based and has the most wonderful floral aroma and flavor. It all combines into a refreshing, spring-y cocktail.

Keeping some good quality sodas on hand means instant boozy refresher, FYI. Keep cool everyone!

*Items generously given gratis and appear here because I like them. For more info on sponsored products, affiliate links, and gifted booze, please visit the About page.

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Filed Under: Notes, Recipes Tagged With: cocktail quickie, dry rhubarb soda, G'Vine Gin, gin, ginger, soda, strawberry

MxMo: La Marina

April 20, 2014 by elana Leave a Comment

La Marina #Cocktail // stirandstrain.comMixology Monday Logo

This month’s Mixology Monday cocktail challenge is an interesting one because, well, there is NO alcohol in the drinks. Scott of Shake, Strain, & Sip has themed this month “Temperance”, and you guessed it, it’s a Teetotaler’s delight around these parts.

With the warmer months approaching, I’ve been craving light, fruit-based drinks lately. And maybe the occasional spritz or two. With the baskets of berries pouring into the farmer’s markets (pretty much my favorite time of year), I decided to make the base of this drink with juicy, local strawberries.La Marina #Cocktail // stirandstrain.com

Farmers markets here are pretty diverse. I’ve been introduced to multiple varieties of strawberries, and one of my favorites is the Seascape kind. Sweet, but not too much so; it’s my ideal strawberry flavor. That said, here you’ll need to taste for sweetness. There is some from the strawberries and tonic, and a sweet and savory note from the orgeat, but if you like your drinks even sweeter, then feel free to add a drop of simple syrup.

La Marina #Cocktail // stirandstrain.com3 medium sized strawberries, hulled and quartered
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice (or white grapefruit juice)
1/4 ounce orgeat
4 ounces Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water

strawberry slice for garnish

In the bottom of a highball glass, muddle strawberries, juice and orgeat. Add ice 2/3 up the glass and top with tonic. Stir gently to combine and garnish glass with strawberry slice.

Uniquely both sweet and savory with lots of fruit forward bubbles. A straw in this case is optional as you might find the chunks of strawberries get caught up in it. The almond from the orgeat has a slight bitter edge that contrasts nicely with the sweet fruit flavors. It’s a needed element here to round out the drink.

Thanks to Scott for hosting this month and Fred for keeping this party going.

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Filed Under: Mixology Monday, Non-alcoholic, Recipes Tagged With: Grapefruit, knocktail, lime, mixology monday, non-alcoholic, orgeat, spring, strawberry, tonic water

A Biting Strawberry

July 12, 2012 by elana Leave a Comment

Warning. You’re going to see several, if not plenty, of drinks containing Shrubs in them coming up in the next few weeks. What’s a Shrub? A Shrub is a vinegar based fruit concentrate that dates back to Colonial Times. Sounds kind of gnarly huh? Vinegar? Gross. Well, actually, if combined with other appealing mixers and liquors it is quite pleasant. Really.

Why the onslaught of Shrub recipes? I recently became a slashie at work. Actually, I have no idea if I’m even using that correctly, but the long and short of it is that I was christened with the title of in-house Mixologist /slash/ creative director (slash a bunch of other titles. It’s a small company). I may have (completely) had something to do with this. But, we re-brought back in a line of Shrubs due to some popularity of them in cocktails and local bars and needed desperately to come up with some recipes so customers knew what to do with them. (That’s right, we had them for sale 4 years ago when no one gave a shit. Although, people are apparently still confused.)

So now I’m doing research, and taking notes, and really using this blog as a scratch pad for ideas. I think I’ve had some hits, and some misses. Here’s a hit. Mainly for people who either want a lighter cocktail, or just don’t want their cocktail tasting so much like alcohol (I need to hit a range of tastes here…).

3 strawberries quartered
1 lime wheel cut in half
1-1/2 oz white rum (I used Oronoco, a favorite for someone who is as confused about rum as someone reading smoke signals who doesn’t, understand.. smoke signals. You get my  analogy.)
3/4 oz Strawberry Shrub (Tait Farms)
1/2 oz Falernum

1 strawberry for garnish

Muddle the strawberries and lime wheels together in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add 4-5 ice cubes.  Pour in the rest of the ingredients and shake well. Pour un-strained into a rocks glass. Garnish with strawberry.

It’s a very summery drink. A bit on the sweet side, but not fake sugary sweetness. No sugar is needed as long as you are using strawberries that are in season and very ripe . There is a sharp note of ginger in the back, and the subtle touch of lime cuts the sweet strawberry taste back a notch. The rum takes a back seat here flavor-wise, which was why I noted that you can make and give this to someone who wants a cocktail but doesn’t like it to taste too strong.

Side note; this tastes amazing with milk chocolate FYI.

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: Falernum, lime, rum, shrubs, strawberry, summer

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