Romantic Strawberry Smash Cocktail

My girlfriend LISA knows a thing or two about whipping up a gourmet meal. She's also a fantastic cocktail creator. Today, I'm sharing her Romantic Strawberry Smash Cocktail, because we can all use a little pink, delicious cocktail right about now. They are low carb, low sugar, low calorie - HIGH on taste! YES! That makes them a big favorite in my book. These are perfect for Valentine's Day! The first garden strawberry was bred in Brittany, France in the late 18th century. Before that, the French began taking wild strawberry plants from the forest to their gardens in the 14th century. Charles V, France's king from 1364 to 1380, is rumored to have had 1,200 strawberry plants planted in his royal garden. Fairly easy to grow, here in our own back garden we attempt to grow strawberries. Strawberries don't have that many diseases, and if it was not for a certain Bentley, we could actually harvest some. He likes to survey "his" garden in late spring and summer, and seems to be able to tell exactly when the berries are at their best. Sadly, neither Mr. FrenchGardenHouse or I get to enjoy many, as Bentley is quite piggy about them. Luckily, most farmer's markets have delicious organic berries in large quantities. But if you don't have a Bentley, I encourage you to try to grow your own! These cocktails are easy to make, and absolutely delicious! The sweetest touch for them is to garnish each glass with a little cut-out strawberry heart.

ROMANTIC STRAWBERRY SMASH COCKTAILS

Make the heart garnish:

Slice the stem off a berry, and cut the strawberry in half. Lay it flat on a cutting board and press a small heart-shaped cookie cutter into each berry. Cut in a tiny slice in the side, and slip on the glass rim. So easy and cute, right? Lisa makes these without all the sugar in syrup and came up with using stevia drops to save calories. Makes a very carb and sugar friendly cocktail. If you must, you can of course, just use a sugar syrup. But she says you won't miss the "real" sugar at all!

Make the cocktails:

INGREDIENTS:

• 10 ripe strawberries
• 20 drops Stevia (liquid)
• 2-4 shots vodka
• 2 squeezes orange or tangerine
• 2 cups ice
• 1 splash sparkling water
• 2 halves strawberries for heart garnish

HOW TO MAKE THE COCKTAIL:

1. In a cocktail shaker, place several strawberries cut in half {add pieces leftover from cutting the heart garnish too} in the bottom of the shaker.
2. Add 20 drops liquid stevia. Using a wood muddle stick, macerate the berries well.
3. Add 2-4 shots of vodka, a good squeeze of orange/tangerine, and 2 cups of ice cubes.
4. Place the lid on and shake well.
5. Pour into glasses through a strainer and garnish with heart strawberries on the rim.
6. Add splashes of zero-calorie seltzer water and ice if desired.

More Valentine's Day Inspiration to love: A Sweet Table Setting Blue and White Valentine's Breakfast How to Make Heart Palmiers Do you have something special planned for Valentine's Day?

A BIENTOT

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