Spiked Strawberry Lemonade

I used to take my kids strawberry picking. If they had weighed my youngest when we got there and again when we left, there probably would have been a surcharge she ate so many berries! I haven’t gone picking in a long time, but I happened to score some just-picked strawberries a couple of weeks ago at my local farmer’s market. I made strawberry shortcake but because we we’re in the middle of another 90+ degree spell, I  was craving a refreshing, relaxing adult beverage, so I started experimenting. My kids used to have lemonade stands when they were young. How hard can it be? The result is this adults-only Spiked Strawberry Lemonade and wow, is it good.

On the lake we’re not only in the middle of summer and boating, but the annual fishfly season where literally millions of these little buggers come ashore. My husband always says they’re the sign of a healthy lake. I think that thought goes along with ‘rain is lucky on your wedding day’. They swarm overhead in the early evening and into the night and if you don’t know the score and leave outside lights on, they will be almost measurably deep because once they land, they die within 24 hours. They start their life burrowed at the bottom of the lake until they hatch. The birds love them and gorge themselves on this delicacy. If your car is outside overnight your windshield may be covered with them. Your best bet is to drive a few feet and let the wind blow them off. Using your windshield wipers just smears them. Ugh. Because residents in the area have just accepted them (there really is no other choice), there are actually festivals celebrating their arrival ~ or maybe departure. If you can’t beat ’em. . .the whole thing is over in just a few days. It’s part of lake living. If you’re wondering what this has to do with Spiked Strawberry Lemonade, absolutely nothing, other than they’re both part of summer.

When I was younger, I loved pina coladas and strawberry margaritas. Nowadays, I’m usually a wine drinker. The fruity drinks can be a little too sweet for me. That’s what I like about this one – it’s a little sweet, tangy from the fresh lemons and so refreshing! My basil is thriving right now. Lucky for me ~ and you too now ~ it made this Spiked Strawberry Lemonade a game-changer. If you need an easy appetizer to go with this beverage, Grilled Peach Caprese pairs really well with it (basil ties them together).

Cocktail Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of moscato wine
• 1 cup of rum
• whole lemons/4 ounces of fresh squeezed
• fresh basil ~ a handful
• 1 pint of strawberries
• 1/2 cup of club soda
• 1 tablespoon of sugar

Leave the strawberries on the counter about an hour (or until room temperature) before you start making the Spiked Strawberry Lemonade. Warm berries are sweeter and make the drink more flavorful.

If you don’t have a juicer, squeeze the lemon juice through a strainer to catch the seeds. Then add the lemon juice, strawberries and basil to a pitcher. Using an immersion blender, blend the ingredients together (optional use a regular blender). When it’s smooth, pour the Moscato and rum into the pitcher, stirring then add the club soda. Chill, then garnish with extra strawberries or lemon slices.

Whenever it’s 90° outside ~ forget I said that because even if it isn’t 90°, this Spiked Strawberry Lemonade is the cat’s meow. . .and I do mean meow. So make it anytime at all. Cheers! 

What’s your favorite summer adult beverage?

 

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