FOOD + ENTERTAINING
Season ’ s Bounty
STRAWBERRY FIELDS
Makes 1 cocktail
Seasonality is just as important with cocktails as it is with food . In this Bottega creation , we have the flavor of spring in a martini glass , to be made only when aromatic strawberries are at their sweet prime .
2½ ounces strawberry-infused vodka ( see box )
1½ ounces lemonade A strawberry half
Pour the vodka and lemonade into a cocktail shaker half filled with ice . Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass . Garnish with the strawberry . STRAWBERRY-INFUSED VODKA
Combine a bottle ( 750 ml ) of vodka with 4 pounds stemmed ripe strawberries and let sit in a cool , dark place for two weeks . Strain and sweeten with Simple Syrup ( recipe below ) if desired . You can use the same technique to infuse vodka with other fruits .
SIMPLE SYRUP
Makes 2 cups
Keep simple syrup on hand for mixing cocktails or sweetening your tea or fresh-squeezed lemonade .
2 cups sugar 2 cups water
Combine the sugar and water in a small heavy saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat , stirring and swirling to dissolve the sugar . Dip a pastry brush in hot water and wipe down the sides of the pan to dissolve any sugar crystals that cling to the sides . Simmer for two minutes , then remove from the heat and let cool .
Simple syrup keeps for weeks in a tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator .
Photo : Bottega
Excerpted from Bottega Favorita by Frank Stitt ( Artisan Books ). Copyright 2008 . Christopher Hirsheimer photographer .
SPRING 2017 37