Nova Scotia is berry country and we are spoiled with abundance in the summer. This cocktail works well with any berry, and I have tried it in equal success with blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. Be careful with these, they go down very quickly.
Yield: Per Drink
2 ounces vodka or gin 1 ounce dry vermouth 2 ounces strawberry simple syrup (see recipe below) 4 strawberries sliced in half A few sprigs of mint
Place martini glasses and shaker in the freezer 10-15 minutes before making the cocktails.
Place 2 sliced strawberries and mint into the cocktail shaker and muddle gently. Add the gin, vermouth, simple syrup and ice. Place 2 sliced strawberries into the bottom of the martini glass. Shake and strain into the chilled glasses.
Strawberry simple syrup
1 cup strawberries 1 cup water 1 cup granulated sugar
In a small saucepan combine all the ingredients over a medium heat and simmer until the sugar has dissolved and the strawberries are slightly soft. Place the mixture in a blender and blend into a thin pulp. Store in a sterilized glass jar for up to a month. The syrup is delicious over vanilla ice cream.