Cocktail Strawberries 101: How to Choose and Prep The Berries for Drinks
Introduction
Strawberries have always been a popular favourite among mixologists. Their natural sweetness, vibrant ruby hue and ability to pair well with a wide range of spirits make them a versatile and delicious addition to many drinks. However, just like other cocktail ingredients, the strawberries you pick and the ways you prepare them can make all the difference in creating the perfect drink.
Strawberries are an essential ingredient of many drinks, both mocktails and cocktails. However, preparing cocktail strawberries can take your mixology skills to the next level. Just like cocktail cherries, these strawberries are prepared in syrups, liqueurs and more to create flavourful and iconic garnishes. Being naturally sweet and tart, cocktail strawberries develop a nuanced taste profile when preserved in particular flavourings.
How To Choose And Prep Cocktail Strawberries For Drinks
Selecting Suitable Strawberries
When it comes to drinks, the quality of your strawberries is paramount. Not all strawberries are created equal and choosing the right ones can be key to creating an iconic ingredient. The ideal cocktail strawberries should be firm and plump, with no signs of softness or squishiness. Overripe strawberries may taste overly sweet or mushy. This can negatively affect the texture and flavour of your cocktail strawberries. Instead, you can choose berries that are bright red, indicating ripeness with no green or white spots. Try picking small or medium-sized strawberries. Smaller strawberries tend to be more flavourful and aromatic than their larger counterparts. Also, their shape and consistency in taste make them better suited for cocktail strawberry preparation.
Sterilising Jars And Preparing Strawberries
When making cocktail strawberries, sterilising jars properly is essential. This helps maintain the flavour and freshness of the strawberries. For example, to make 450 gm of cocktail strawberries, you can use two 250 ml volume or one 500 ml volume jars. Sterilise the jars, lids and seals by boiling them in water for 10 minutes. Keep them in the hot water till use. When filling them with cocktail strawberries, place them on a towel or couple of stacked paper towels. Rinse your strawberries thoroughly before hulling them. To remove the green tops and the white core, you can hull your strawberries with a knife or a specialised strawberry huller. Hulling ensures that your strawberries have a clean, uniform appearance, especially when making cocktail strawberries for garnishing.
Preparing Cocktail Strawberries
Prepare the syrup first. For garnishing more than 400 cocktails, you need 450 gm hulled strawberries, 240 ml strawberry liqueur, 240 gm sugar, 240 ml water, 240 ml strawberry juice, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tsp almond extract, 2 cinnamon sticks, ½ tsp ground nutmeg and ½ tsp kosher salt. Combine sugar, strawberry juice, vanilla and almond extracts, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt in a saucepan. Bring it to a simmer and stir occasionally till the sugar dissolves. Add the liqueur and whisk to mix. Add the hulled strawberries and stir well to coat them nicely in the syrup. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes on low to slightly soften the strawberries and let the flavours enter.
Preserving And Serving In Drinks
Finally, turn off the heat and discard the cinnamon stick. Let the cocktail strawberries cool before storing them in the sterilised jars. Seal properly before refrigerating them. When mixing iconic strawberry-based or tropical drinks, garnish with these tasty cocktail strawberries for a sophisticated finish.
Cocktail Strawberries 101: Handy Tips
- Depending on personal preferences, you can also use tart strawberries for making cocktail strawberries instead of sweet-sour ones. They add a zestier taste that contrasts nicely with the fruity syrup.
- Always sterilise your jars properly before storing cocktail strawberries in them, especially if they have been previously used to store other items. This helps maintain a long shelf life for the fruity garnishes.
- Do not let the syrup boil over at any point during the simmering process. Heat the mixture till the syrup attains a specific consistency and coats the spoon, before turning off the stove.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
