When Life Hands You Strawberries, Make Daiquiris

Daiquiris made with fresh strawberries are one of the true joys of summer.

‘Tis the season for fresh strawberries! While keeping a safe 6-feet distance from others, my family and I recently went to Lewis Farms to get fresh strawberries. We purchased an entire flat of berries that were plump, juicy and a perfect scarlet red. As always, when I got home, I looked at all those berries and thought, “What in the world am I going to do with all of these?” Then I heard a voice in my head say, “When life hands you strawberries, make daiquiris.”

Strawberries are rich in antioxidants, which benefit heart health and the control of blood sugar. They are also an excellent source of vitamin C, which is great for your immune system and skin. They also offer potassium and manganese, which is important for many processes in the body. The strawberry is by far my favorite fruit, and I am fortunate that farmers in the Southeast produce some of the best berries around.

There are many different variations to making a strawberry daiquiri. Some recipes say to use frozen strawberries, but I think that frozen strawberries loose color, flavor and texture. When fresh strawberries are available, I opt to create this recipe with fresh strawberries and just add extra ice.

I enjoy the citric undertones of a strawberry daiquiri. Instead of using a lemon- or lime-flavored syrup, I use the juice of an entire lemon and lime with just a few teaspoons of sugar. Lots of bars will rim the glass with sugar, but I think that with the fresh strawberries and a bit of sugar, it is sweet enough. If you prefer honey over sugar, feel free to substitute it for a healthier daiquiri.

Visit your local farmers market to take advantage of the season’s fresh strawberries. Supporting your local farmers and businesses will make this strawberry daiquiri that much more enjoyable.