Please excuse my lack of self-control while I share all the strawberry recipes with you all at once. I can’t keep these recipes to myself! The strawberries are talking to me at this point. They like to be soaked in gin, they say.
There are a lot of flavors that go well with strawberries, but my favorite is rose water. (Second to gin, of course)
Rose water tastes like, um, roses. It tastes the way roses smell, but in a delicate, not over-the-top way. I promise. And yeah, you’re going to have to hunt it down at an ethnic market. But, I happen to think you’ll enjoy the hunt and walk away with a whole bag full of new groceries, too. Try somethin’ new while you’re there! If you see orange water next to rose water, go ahead and pick that up, too. <<foreshadowing>>
One of the early recipes on my site is a strawberry crostata made with rose water. My Mom made the recipe many times without the rose water, and then finally bought a bottle. Now, she says, she’ll hardly make a strawberry dessert without it.
I made this cocktail with gin, because I’m currently having a scandalous love affair with local gin, but vodka would be fabulous, too. If you’re not a fan of the herbal flavors of gin, you’ll appreciate vodka in this application. I’m amazed that rose water is able to stand up to the herbs and floral notes of gin, so I’ll stick with it.
How about a blast from the past with a 2010 photo of said strawberry crostata that makes me want to cringe? Get it:
Yikes! Ok, final words: I like this cocktail with only one teaspoon of sugar, but if you like super sweet and fruity cocktails, go ahead and use two.
Strawberry Rose Gin Fizz
yield: 2 drinks
Ingredients
- 6 beautiful strawberries
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 4 shots gin
- 1 teaspoon rose water
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup club soda (or, to taste)
Instructions
- First, wash and de-stem the strawberries. Next, dice the strawberries into small pieces, like 12 pieces from one berry. Tiny.
- Sprinkle the sugar over the top of the strawberries. Let sit for 5 minutes. Then, mash the strawberries with a fork to release their juices.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, and then add the strawberry mixture, gin, rose water and a pinch of salt (just trust me). Shake, then divide between two glasses.
- Top each glass off with club soda and squeeze a lime wedge into each glass.
I’ve only ever had rosewater with coconut before (also amazing) but am I every so glad right now that I have strawberries in the fridge and a mostly full bottle of rosewater in my life. Oh yes. I am.
So it’s 8:02 am and I’m totally thinking about gin! This is just so pretty! And the fact that we have every ingredient in the kitchen right now means it may be a “It’s 5 o clock… somewhere” kinda day ;)
These are GORGEOUS! I need them in my life. Is it 5 o clock yet? I’m not usually a Gin person…but i’ll try it for these beauties!
Don’t mind me while I move my clock ahead so I can go ahead and have this NOW!
I’ve never had rose water. This drink looks so refreshing! Must try it!
Christina, these are gorgeous! I can’t wait to try, they look so refreshing! Pinned :)
This could be my first drink after Baby arrives! Still got a few months to go, but I’m thinking about it already ;-)
There’s a gin sold in the UK called Bloom, which you drink with strawberries, so it might be a winner for this recipe.
BRING ON THE BERRIES! Also, I would still definitely eat the crostada, preferably with a double size of this cocktail ;-)
If it includes gin I’m totally in! You should see my gin collection right now. I need to throw a gin party just to make a dent. Love the addition of rose water in this…yum!
Waaaaaaant!! Man, this looks awesome. So yummy!
This is so charming! I feel it should become the official ‘cocktail for spring’. So original!
Gin and strawberries and rose water.. OMG.. I’m really feelin this drink girlfriend!
What a tasty and refreshing cocktail. It looks pretty too! The crostata also looks amazing.
using rose water sounds soo good. i have used it in the past for my skin but never with food or drinks.
So gorgeous and I need like 3 or 4 :) pinned
Strawberries and gin? Count me in!
I adore strawberries and rosewater so these sound fabulous!
Keep all the strawberry goodness coming! I just went grocery shopping and was stunned by how beautiful the berries looked! I am ready for more strawberry recipes and more ginny gin gin goodness!
holy gorgeous cocktail!!
BAH. I knewww we would have a disagreement at some point! You’re talking to a vodka woman right here, but I think we can compromise on my substitute :) and umm that crostata? don’t shade your old pics, that looks totally fab!
This is so pretty!!!
did I see gin??? yum….. I bet this cocktail would be awesome for a get together outside on a nice evening!
Weee, four shots of gin. Holy cow, I love it! Gin is my jam, and so are strawberries. Pinning.
This.is.GAWDGEOUZZZ! Perfect summer sip! And I’m ready for all the strawberry recipes you got! :-)
I CANNOT wait to try this! Gin is my favorite liquor…tell me about this local gin! I typically go citrusy with my gin, but I love the idea of other fruit and rose water. *Swoon*
I think I’m going to have to go hunt down some rose water this weekend. This gin fizz looks fabulous!
Oh, this image is BEAUTIFUL! I can’t wait to try this drink recipe- I am all about anything with gin and fizz! xo
I didn’t even read this before pinning it (I did read it, too). Gawwwgeous.
I’m one of those people who whines that gin tastes like I’m drinking a Christmas tree (we all know it’s true). However I’ve FINALLY found one local gin cocktail that has some muddled berries that I like (probably because the berries are hiding the pine tree taste) But for you…I would try it with gin instead of vodka. But just for you ;)
I cannot wait to try these! Beautiful color and perfect for spring!