Tequila Strawberry Lemonade
Updated: Jun 17
At the end of a long workweek how does an adult baker transition into the weekend? Well, this baker welcomes it with a little alcohol in what she calls Fiesta Friday (and after a really long week, continuing it with Sippin’ Saturday)
But being a baker I couldn’t help but to take it to the next level: why not make a dessert daiquiri, I thought. Since my husband isn’t a fan of rum I swapped it out for Tequila in this tasty adults-only liquid treat. I’m thrilled to share the first of my many adult drink recipes with you.
This recipe isn't just confined to beverages, either. It calls for making simple syrup using lemon and strawberry as part of your steps. Each flavor of simple syrup can also be used to drizzle over a freshly baked cake to add a subtle pop of flavor and enhance moistness. That tip and this cocktail can be enjoyed year round, although I highly recommend you take advantage of using fresh strawberries when they’re in season (which are spring and summer). However, I’ve also made this cocktail using frozen strawberries --- which are picked in season when they’re at their ripest then frozen --- and it’s just as delicious.
And don't be overwhelmed by the almost endless choices of tequila to use, the many brands and different types. I used a simple ‘mixto’ tequila for this recipe. It’s lower in price but still has that subtle agave flavor that brings out the bright citrus lemon and sweet strawberry flavors and lets them take center stage on the palette. If you have a premium or super premium bottle of tequila on hand I suggest saving it to relish a sip at a time, neat.
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Ingredients
To prepare the lemon simple syrup you'll need:
Lemons – Approximately 4 – 6 medium sized lemons to yield 3/4 cup strained lemon juice
Granulated Sugar - 1/2 cup
Water - 1/2 cup
To prepare the strawberry simple syrup you'll need:
Strawberries – 3/4 cup of fresh strawberries are recommended when at the height of its season --- typically from beginning of March through the end of August --- but frozen is also a great alternative for year round enjoyment.
Granulated Sugar - 1/2 cup
Water - 1/2 cup
Remaining ingredients:
Strawberry Lemonade – 3/4 cup for one cocktail and I used this brand which has the perfect balance of both flavors.
Tequila – 1 jigger or 3 tablespoons of white or silver brand of your choice
Optional ingredients:
Whole strawberries - 1 per cocktail to add as a garnish.
Lemon - 1 medium sized will yield enough peel to create a few twists to add as a garnish.
Equipment
Most of the equipment I used in this recipe are common items you’ll likely have on hand. I have, however, provided below links for the items used in this recipe. A quick look at my other blog posts shows that the equipment needed here, once you have them, will be used many times over in the future. So, do you really need to use a jigger and a cocktail shaker you're asking? According to MasterClass.com, using a cocktail shaker results in a much colder drink than ones that are stirred with ice. Trust me, the colder the better with this delicious adult beverage. And cocktails that include fruit juices --- such as this one--- yield a more balanced flavor of fruit and alcohol as just the right amount of diluting is involved in the process of shaking up the drink. As an added bonus, you get to claim you did a mini workout as you shake, shake, shake up these lip-smacking libations. Besides, this is only the first cocktail recipe I'll be sharing, so you'll get good use out them both, I promise.
Small strainer to remove lemon pulp & seeds & mashed strawberries when preparing simple syrups.
Lemon squeezer to juice lemons easily and with minimal cleanup.
Large spoon to stir sugar for simple syrup mixtures.
Kitchen utility knife for slicing lemon halves.
Wire masher to effortlessly mash up strawberries for the simple syrup.
1 quart saucepan to prepare each batch of simple syrup. This version is a slightly updated model from the version pictured above, but it's so versatile as it's oven and broiler safe and will last for years to come.
Double sided jigger another handy kitchen tool as it measures small quantities of liquids ranging from 1/4 - 1 1/2 ounces.
Cocktail shaker shake up an unlimited range of beverages from iced tea, iced coffee drinks and your favorite adult libations.
9. Scoop measuring cup for the strawberries and ice, this cup comes as part of a 5 piece set which includes standard measurements which will be part of your go to tools for all of your cooking and baking needs.
10. Cutting board for slicing lemons this bamboo cutting board keeps your knife blades sharper for longer and on the flip side has a "juice groove" to catch juices from running off the board. Comes in a range of sizes and a solid "replacements for life guarantee".
11 & 12. 1 - cup & 2 - cup capacity measuring cups to measure out the larger quantities of liquids called for in this recipe. Cook's Illustrated gives you several reasons why you'll want to stock up on these measuring cups and I concur. I've had the same handful of measuring cups for several years without a visible scratch or chip and use them almost everyday.
13. Chopstick, to easily create lemon twists as festive garnishes for cocktails. But this simple item's use doesn't end there. Trust me when I tell you that they are an unexpectedly helpful kitchen tool. Every time I get Chinese take out I ask for an extra set to keep available for my next cooking or baking project. For instance, check out my post on Chocolate Covered Pretzels to see a recent (and fun) use for chopsticks.
14. Paring knife to perfectly slice strips of lemon peel as the first step in creating those lemon twists for garnishes. Victorinox knives are made of exceptional quality at affordable prices and this particular knife comes in an array of vibrantly colored handles.
Method
1. Slice 4-6 medium sized lemons in half
2. Squeeze slightly more than 3/4 cups of lemon juice
3. Set a fine mesh strainer over a measuring cup and pour lemon juice through the strainer. Set aside.
Steps 4 - 7 are optional for lemon twist garnish.
4. Cut one medium sized lemon into approximately 1/2 inch slices.
5. Using a paring knife, position the blade between the pulp and the pith and carefully cut around the entire lemon slice. Slice through the peel so you have a flat strip.
6. Gently twist the peel around the chopstick.
7. Hold the twisted peel for a couple of seconds and gently slide off the chopstick. Set aside.
8. Pour 1/2 cup water into saucepan.
9. Add 1/2 cup sugar into saucepan.
10. Set to medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Stir sugar until it has completely dissolved.
11. Remove saucepan from heat and slowly stir in strained lemon juice. Set aside and allow to cool.
12. Pour 1/2 cup water into saucepan.
13. Add 1/2 cup sugar into saucepan.
14. Set to medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Stir sugar until it has completely dissolved.
15. Remove saucepan from heat and carefully add strawberries as the simple syrup is still hot. 16. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let the strawberries steep in the syrup for approximately 1 hour.
17. Using a masher, completely mash the strawberries in the saucepan, the syrup will be slightly thickened.
18. Set a fine mesh strainer over a measuring cup and in small batches pour strawberry simple syrup through the strainer. Discard the mashed strawberries. Set aside.
19. Add approximately 1/2 cup of ice to a cocktail shaker,
20. Pour 3/4 cup strawberry lemonade,
21. Pour 1/2 jigger strawberry simple syrup,
22. Pour 1/2 jigger lemon simple syrup,
23. Pour 1 jigger tequila,
24. Cover cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for approximately 30 seconds.
25. Add ice to your beverage glass and pour contents from the cocktail shaker into the glass. Garnish with a sliced strawberry and twisted piece of lemon rind and enjoy!
Video Tutorial
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