Strawberry & Mint Recipe

Prepare strawberries

Wash and hull the strawberries. Reserve 4 thin slices for garnish. Roughly chop the remaining strawberries and place them in a medium mixing bowl or the jar of a blender.

Bruise the mint

Rinse the mint leaves, pat dry, remove any thick stems, then gently clap or bruise the leaves between your palms to release aroma. Add the bruised leaves to the bowl with strawberries.

Add the lemon juice to the strawberry and mint mixture to brighten flavor.

Macerate

Sprinkle the granulated sugar over the strawberry, mint, and lemon mixture. Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to gently mash the strawberries and mint together until the berries have released most of their juice and the sugar has dissolved — about 2 minutes.

Make base liquid

Add 1 cup cold water to the mashed mixture. If using a blender, blend on low for 10–15 seconds for a lightly pulped, cohesive mixture; if using a bowl, stir vigorously until combined. Taste and adjust sweetness with another 1/2–1 tsp sugar if needed.

If you prefer a sparkling drink, chill and add cold club soda just before serving (see final assembly).

Chill and serve

Fill two glasses with ice. Divide the strawberry-mint mixture between the glasses, straining through a fine mesh sieve if you prefer a smoother beverage (use the back of a spoon to press solids).

Top each glass with about 1/2 cup club soda for a fizzy version or an additional 1/4 cup cold water for still. Stir gently to combine.

Garnish each glass with a reserved strawberry slice and a mint sprig. Serve immediately.