How have you been taking time to create or move in new ways this year? I used to make lists of what I had to give up in order to make room for things that made me come alive, but I have put a full stop to that practice. I have found that the only thing I can do to make room for the things most important to me and to our family is to simply start doing them, and let other things drop. The important things really will become so FUN and so GOOD that you almost don’t notice the piles of dirty laundry relentlessly piling up around you.
This Strawberry Shrub really pushes other things aside because it goes a bit against Lark’s easy drink manifesto by requiring a few days to make. Oops! And, YES! Do something silly and make this drink. Do silly things that make you happy!
Shrubs are the original pre-made cocktail mix. Learn more about them here.
Strawberry Shrub
Serves 20 (in a 10-ounce rocks glass, filled halfway with ice)
2 cups frozen strawberries
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon black peppercorns, whole
2 teaspoons coarse ground black peppercorns
2 cups apple cider vinegar
3 cups gin, and an extra bottle for serving, if desired
10 cups club soda
Mint, thyme, or lavender to garnish
Place 2 cups of frozen strawberries in a Mason jar quart container with 2 cups of sugar, 1 tablespoon peppercorns, 2 teaspoons ground pepper. Cover, shake the jar, and let the mixture sit to macerate on the counter until the strawberries thaw and the mixture forms a tight juice.
Refrigerate the jar for one full day, stirring occasionally and shaking the jar.
Add apple cider, let sit in the refrigerator for another two days.
Fine strain the mixture with a mesh sieve into a clean container, discarding solids. You will end up with 3 cups of Strawberry Shrub Concentrate.
Combine (in a gallon jug) 3 cups Strawberry Shrub Concentrate with 3 cups gin.
Just before serving, add the club soda.
Plunge herbs in a small vase with water for garnish of individual cocktails. Offer ice, too!
Leave a bottle of gin beside a pitcher of cocktails—some guests may prefer a stronger drink, but traditionally, it's best like this!
Purchase the Lark Cocktails book for dozens more great recipes! #livinglark
