Strawberry and Gin Cocktail

I’ve been craving summer lately for many reasons - catching up with friends, the beach, pools, going down south to Dunsborough and Margaret River, Christmas, New Years, time off work, but also for the cocktails - my new obsession.  A few months ago I set up this mini bar in my dining room.  I bought an old small cabinet and then proceeded to cover it with all types of different spirits and liquors.  Inside, it is filled with wine and champagne. 

So I have this rad mini bar, and haven’t really found the time to ‘mix’ anything.

I found this recipe on the Gourmet Traveller website not long ago and book-marked it, waiting for the right time.  Well seeing as I finally fixed part of my courtyard last weekend, and the outdoor table was clean, the chairs out, it was time to sit back and enjoy the beginning of summer with a cocktail!

My lovely friend Anj came over and together we drunk the night away with this awesome Strawberry and Gin Cocktail.  It was refreshing, light, not too sweet.  Oh dear, I think I have found my new summer drink!  And it’s red and green – perfect for the Christmas season. 

It’s given me ideas too…  I’m thinking passionfruit and peach syrup – how nice would that be with mint and gin!

Strawberry and Gin Cocktail

Adapted from Gourmet Traveller

500g strawberries, hulled and coarsely chopped

500ml water

1 ½ cups white sugar

1 tablespoon white vinegar

Gin

2 limes

Handful mint leaves

Soda water
Ice

Place the strawberries and water in a medium pot and bring to the boil.  Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 – 15 minutes or until the strawberries have broken down and become pulpy.   Strain the strawberry mix through a sieve and muslin cloth so all seeds are removed.    You should have about 2 cups of liquid.

Return the juice to a clean pot add the sugar (you can add less if you don’t want it too sweet, but taste as you go – remember the syrup is watered down so you want it to be sweet).  Bring the liquid to a simmer and stir until all the sugar is dissolved.  Continue simmering for 5 minutes.  Remove from the heat and add the vinegar and stir.  Set aside to cool completely.

To make the cocktail, in a tall glass with ice, squeeze in two lime wedges, rip in a couple of mint leaves, add 60 mls of the strawberry syrup (two shots), 30ml of gin (one shot) and top it up with soda water.  Give it a good stir and enjoy!

Makes about 10 cocktails.