Sorry to have missed a week … at work, we are in the midst of the frantic run-up right before a major release, so last week was just weird, schedule-wise. I think I did some cooking in there — but nothing blogworthy. And then I went out of town for the weekend. But I know I owe you a seasonal cocktail!

Here in the mid-Atlantic, strawberries are ON. I’ve made some strawberry-rhubarb jam (delish if loose), a strawberry rhubarb pie (to die for), and just ate them out-of-hand. Then there was a raucous evening down at the beach shack with multiple pitchers of strawberry daiquiris (that recipe needs some refinement not that anyone complained). In a more civilized moment, I did prepare this oh-so-simple smash. Note — no added sugar. Between the juicy vine-ripened strawberries at their peak, the strawberry rum, and the ginger ale — none was needed.

Strawberry Smash
Serves 1

2 diced strawberries
3 – 4 mint leaves
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon strawberry rum
3 tablespoons silver rum
3 – 4 ounces ginger ale (1/3 cup to 1/2 cup)

Put the strawberries, mint, and lime juice into the bottom of a sturdy wide-mouth tumbler (“Old Fashioned” glass). Muddle these together, making sure to smash the strawberries well. Add the rums and stir to combine. Add the ice and top off with ginger ale. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a strawberry if so inclined.

 Just for fun, this is what my tiny little kitchen looks like while pulling cocktails AND a meal together. This is the only workspace in that kitchen!