Strawberry Gin is an amazing addition to a summer cocktail. It is also simple to make. Add a little rhubarb cordial and soda for a strawberry rhubarb collins. Or, try it with some lavender bitters in a martini.
Strawberry Gin
Big, juicy red strawberries are an important part of your summer cocktail. The person who first decided to mix gin with strawberries is a genius. The combination is fresh, fruity and delicious. It is the perfect summer seasonal drink. To bump up that Strawberry Gin is the Best Addition to Your Summer Cocktails.
In the past year or two flavoured gins have become a big deal. Strawberry gin especially has become popular. With good reason. It is delicious.
While there are many good strawberry gins available. There is no reason not to make your own. It is simple and the fresh flavor is far superior.
Even the bitterest fruit has sugar in it.
– Terry a O’Neal
Making Strawberry Gin
The best part of strawberry gin is that it is simple to make. It takes nothing more than strawberries gin and time.
Strawberries & Gin
Gin and strawberries share aromatic connections that make them a good flavor pairing. The strongest link between the two is a flavor compound called linalool. Linalool has a floral scent with a touch spice. It is most associated with lavender. It is not dominant in strawberries, but its presence makes a good link with gin.
Many gin botanicals, including juniper berries, and coriander, contain linalool. In gins containing lavender, rose petals, and cinnamon this aroma is more pronounced.
Strawberries and gin share a connection with a compound called a-pinene. This compound is the reason for the piney, woodsy flavor of gin. In strawberries, it is the compound that gives them their green, woodsy and vegetal notes. Pinene appears in much higher quantities in wild varieties of strawberries.
Strawberry Flavor Pairings
There are a many interesting flavor compounds in strawberries. They include fruit, caramel, anise, cinnamon, and grape fragrances. The combination makes strawberries taste like green leaves, pineapple, caramel, cloves and grapes.
Aromatic Compounds in Strawberries
Furaneol is an aromatic compound smelling of caramel. It is found in greater quantities in very ripe strawberries.
Ethyl Butyrate is the fragrance of pineapple.
Eugenol is a major presence in cloves and basil.
Ethyl Cinnamate is present in cinnamon, balsamic vinegar, and honey.
Grape Fragrances – Strawberries share a surprising connection in flavor to concord grapes.
Vegetal and Green Leaf Fragrances
Strawberries – Complimentary Flavors
Amontillado and Oloroso Sherries
Apples
Apricots
Balsamic Vinegar
Bananas
Cognac and Barrel Aged Brandies
Basil
Caramel
Cinnamon
Citrus
Cloves
Concord Grapes
Curry
Eucalyptus
Ginger
Honey
Lavender
Maple Syrup
Peaches
Pineapple
Rosemary
Szechuan Peppercorns
Tomatoes
Turmeric
Vanilla
Strawberry Gin Infusion
Strawberry Gin
1 pound sliced strawberries
1.75 L london dry gin
Place strawberries in a large glass jar with a tight fitting lid.
Cover the strawberries with the gin and seal the jar.
Set the jar aside in a cool dark place for 1 week to allow the strawberries to infuse the gin thoroughly.
Strain with a fine mesh sieve.
Funnel your strawberry gin into bottles.
You will end up with less gin than you start with. This is because the strawberries will absorb some of it. Use the boozy as a garnish or make something new with them.
Strawberry Gin Cocktails
Strawberry Gin Fizz
A fizz is one of the simplest gin strawberry cocktails you can make. Add strawberry gin to a gin fizz or silver fizz and you’re good. Garnish with lavender sugar for more awesome.
Strawberry Gin Smash
Use your infused gin in a Strawberry Gin Smash. This Strawberries mint gin cocktail goes down so easy.
Strawberry Gin Martini
Gin and Strawberries. Gin and vermouth. Some things go together. Try mixing up your favorite martini with a strawberry infused gin and vermouth. Add a dash of lavender bitters.
Ok, this one is a bit of a cheat. I made this recipe for a cocktail event. The theme was Cuban cocktail. I was working for a gin producer. So we fudged a little on the details. The drink is delicious a delicious strawberry and lavender gin sour.
Again we are substituting gin for rum. But again, strawberries, mint, and gin. It’s not a mistake.
Strawberry Rhubarb Gin Collins
Strawberries and rhubarb. Another classic summer flavor combination. Rhubarb cordial and strawberry infused gin make for a refreshing take on the Collins