Strawberry clouds… that’s what you will feel like you’re floating on while you drink this. Hints of strawberry, vanilla, lemon and a bit of sweetness play together for the perfect pink cocktail.
I am not a huge drinker, so creating cocktails is not typically in my wheelhouse, but when Empress 1908 Gin reached out, I knew I was up for the challenge. I wanted to create a cocktail that was unique and differed from cocktails that were already in their recipe cards. Thus, strawberry clouds was born.
strawberry clouds – strawberry vanilla simple syrup
This recipe starts with a base of strawberry vanilla simple syrup. The syrup is surprisingly easy to make and you only need a few ingredients. Water, sugar, frozen strawberries + vanilla bean paste! You can use vanilla extract or a whole vanilla bean for this recipe if vanilla bean paste is not available to you. You simply add all the ingredients to a pot, bring it to a boil and let it simmer for 5-20 minutes or until the syrup has reduced. Then with an immersion blender (or a regular blender) blend it up until smooth. I strained my syrup because I wanted a smoother syrup but that is totally optional. Once its reduced and you have blended the syrup, you want to make sure to chill it till its cold. It is best to make the syrup ahead of time so your hands on time making the cocktail is quick and easy!
egg white warning
This cocktail contains egg whites – if you’re not comfortable working with them, you can omit them. However the drink will not have the same smoothness if you do. When using the egg whites, make sure to separate it from the yolk and shell in a separate bowl to ensure no yolk slipped in.
if you make this recipe, be sure to tag me on instagram or leave a comment below!
strawberry clouds
Ingredients
For the cocktail
- 1 oz Empress 1908 Gin can sub in gin of choice
- 1/4 oz lemon juice strained
- 1 oz water
- 2 oz prosecco
- 2 oz strawberry vanilla simple syrup strained
- 1 egg white
- freeze dried strawberries optional
Strawberry Vanilla Simple Syrup
- 2 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste sub vanilla extract
Instructions
For simple syrup
- Add your ingredients to a pot and bring to a simmer on the stove top. Puree all of the ingredients until smooth. Let simmer for about 5 minutes until the mixture has reduce and the sugar has melted. Strain syrup into a new container and set aside to cool completely.
For Cocktail
- Add 3/4 oz of gin, lemon juice + water to you shaker. Shake with ice for 30 seconds, strain into chilled coupe glass, top with prosecco.
- Add egg white, 1/4 oz of gin + strawberry vanilla simple syrup to a shaker. Shake for 30 seconds. Add ice and shake for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Strain into glass over gin mixture. Add crushed freeze dried strawberries and enjoy!
