Beat the Heat with a Refreshing Strawberry Gin Smash!

Looking for a cool and flavorful summer cocktail? Look no further than the Strawberry Gin Smash! This vibrant drink is bursting with fresh strawberry sweetness, perfectly balanced with tart lime and botanical gin. It's easy to make at home and perfect for sipping on a hot afternoon or enjoying at your next gathering.

Ingredients (Single serving):

• 2 ounces gin
• 3-4 fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
• ½ ounce fresh lime juice
• ¼ - ½ ounce simple syrup (optional, adjust for sweetness)
• Club soda, to top
• Garnish: mint sprig and fresh strawberry slice

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle the strawberries and lime juice. Here's the key: muddle with a light touch. You want to release the juices without turning the drink bitter. A few presses with a muddler or the back of a spoon will do the trick.
2. Add the gin and simple syrup (if using) to the shaker. Fill it up with ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. This chills the drink and creates a smooth, frothy texture.
3. Strain the vibrant pink mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Top it off with club soda for a refreshing fizz.
4. The finishing touch! Garnish your Strawberry Gin Smash with a sprig of mint and a fresh strawberry slice for an extra pop of color and aroma.

Tips & Variations:

• Love your drinks tart? Skip the simple syrup altogether. Prefer a sweeter sip? Add more simple syrup to taste. The beauty lies in customization!
• Feeling adventurous? Muddle a few raspberries or blueberries alongside the strawberries for a delightful twist on the classic recipe.
• Planning a party? Multiply the recipe to create a pitcher of Strawberry Gin Smash. Muddle the ingredients in a large pitcher, then pour the mixture over ice in individual glasses and top with club soda. Garnish each glass for a festive touch.
• Muddler Missing? No Problem! Don't have a muddler? No worries! The back of a spoon works just fine for gently mashing the strawberries in the shaker.