Fresh Strawberry Balsamic Basil Daiquiri Recipes

FRESH LIME DAIQUIRI

Steps:

• Combine the rum, lime juice and syrup. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and fill two-thirds full with the cocktail mixture. Shake for 30 seconds and pour into frosted martini glasses. Serve ice cold.

BALSAMIC-MACERATED STRAWBERRIES WITH BASIL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, gently toss the strawberries with the sugar and vinegar. Let sit at room temperature until the strawberries have released their juices but are not yet mushy, about 30 minutes. (Don't let the berries sit for more than 90 minutes, or they'll start to collapse.)
• Just before serving, stack the basil leaves on a cutting board and roll them vertically into a loose cigar shape. Using a sharp chef's knife, very thinly slice across the roll to make a fine chiffonade of basil.
• Portion the strawberries and their juices among four small bowls and scatter with the basil to garnish, or choose one of the serving suggestions below.
• Serve the strawberries over grilled or toasted pound cake. Garnish with a dollop of crème fraîche.
• Put the berries on split biscuits for shortcakes; top with whipped cream and scatter with the basil.
• Layer the berries with ice cream or yogurt for a parfait. Garnish with the basil.
• Spoon the strawberries over a poached or roasted peach half.
• Use the berries as a filling for crêpes or a topping for waffles.
• Mash the berries slightly and fold into whipped creamm for a quick fool. Garnish with the basil.

CHAMPAGNE GINGER COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Make the ginger syrup: Combine 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar and the sliced ginger in a small saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vodka. Chill for 2 hours or overnight. When ready to serve, strain to remove the ginger pieces.
• Spread the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a thin layer on a plate. Coat the rims of 8 glasses with the juice from the lemon wedges and immediately dip in the plate of sugar.
• Add a few pieces of candied ginger to each glass. Pour 1 tablespoon of the ginger syrup over the ginger pieces and top with the sparkling wine.

FRESH STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC BASIL DAIQUIRI

Steps:

• Place the ice cubes, strawberries, light rum, balsamic vinegar and basil leaves in the pitcher of a blender and blend until smooth and slushy. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a small basil sprig.
• Cook's Note: If your strawberries aren't very sweet, add up to 1/2 teaspoon superfine sugar.

STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC SHRUB

Steps:

• Stir the strawberry tops with leaves and sugar in a medium bowl. Mash together with a potato masher until the strawberry tops release their juices, 1 minute. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours, stirring occasionally so a pool of liquid can accumulate in the bowl.
• Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into another medium bowl, pressing on the solids with a rubber spatula to release all of the liquid, which will include some undissolved sugar. Whisk in the champagne vinegar and balsamic vinegar until the sugar dissolves, 2 minutes. Transfer the shrub to a jar, cover and refrigerate until ready to use (see Cook's Note).
• To serve, fill 4 tall glasses halfway with ice. Pour 1/4 cup of the shrub into each glass top with 1 1/4 cups of seltzer.

FRESH STRAWBERRIES WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR AND BASIL

Steps:

• In large mixing bowl, stir together sugar, vinegar, honey, and pepper. Add basil and strawberries; toss to coat. Cover and chill at least 10 minutes and up to 1 1/2 hours. Serve chilled.