The holiday cocktail of choice for holiday parties? The Cosmopolitan, of course. To shake things up a bit, though, you can delight friends and family with a new twist on an old favorite by adding fresh or frozen California strawberries. Strawberry Cosmopolitans aren’t only delicious; they’re good for you too, according to the California Strawberry Commission. Independent researchers published a study in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture that found the antioxidant capacity of strawberries can be significantly enhanced when they are combined with ethanol, the type of alcohol found in rum, vodka, tequila and other spirits. Antioxidants help guard against harmful free-radicals which can cause cancer, arthritis and heart disease.
Strawberry Cosmopolitan
2-4 fresh California strawberries, cut in half
1 oz. orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
1/4 oz fresh lime juice
1 1/2 oz vodka
Directions: Muddle the orange liqueur and lime juice with all but one half of a strawberry in a mixing glass or martini shaker. Add vodka and ice, shake well, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with the reserved strawberry half and a thin slice of fresh lime.
Here are a few other holiday California strawberry cocktails to enjoy, courtesy of the California Strawberry Commission:
Strawbaileys and Amaretto
3/4 ounce Baileys Original Irish Cream
3/4 ounce amaretto
6 ounces frozen sliced California strawberries in syrup, partially thawed
Whole fresh California strawberry
Directions: In a blender combine all ingredients except whole berry; blend smooth. Pour into stemmed glass. Garnish with whole berry.
Strawberry Kamikaze
1 1/4 ounce strawberry-infused vodka*
1/2 ounce triple sec
1/4 ounce lime juice
Whole fresh California strawberry
Directions: Chill all ingredients except whole berry over ice. Strain into martini glass. Float whole berry in glass. Can also be served over ice cubes.
*Note: Strawberry-infused vodka is created by soaking 10-15 strawberries, sliced in half, in a decanter of vodka for at least three days. Strawberries can remain in the decanter for display.
Texas-tini with California Strawberries
1 lime wedge
Kosher salt
1/4 cup frozen sliced, sweetened California strawberries, thawed
1/4 cup crushed ice
1 ounce tequila
1 teaspoon Cointreau
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 whole fresh California strawberry
Directions: Rub lime wedge around rim of martini glass; dip rim into salt. Combine sliced strawberries, ice, tequila, Cointreau and lime juice in blender container. Cover and process on high speed until smooth and frothy. Carefully pour into prepared martini glass; garnish with whole strawberry. Serve immediately.
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