A Fresh Kick In This Mule
It’s summertime and this time of year, is my favorite. Warm nights, barbecues and fancy, fruity cocktails! The perfect time for a fresh remake of an old favorite. This is a Smoked Strawberry Mule Cocktail made with fresh strawberries. What’s better than fresh strawberries in a cocktail? It’s fresh strawberries that have been roasted on a hot grill or better yet, in your smoker.
A Girl Walks Into A Bar Really Trendy Cocktail Lounge
If you happen into a really great cocktail lounge or, even better, a great Speak-Easy, the happening way to prepare fresh cocktails is adding smoke. Often its done by putting the cocktail right under a enclosed smoker, then adding the actual smoke to infuse with flavor. In this Smoked Strawberry Mule Cocktail, the smoke flavor is added in different layers of flavor, both in the syrup and the fruit. It’s a great way to add a little trendy craftiness to your home cocktails.
Fresh Ingredients!
It’s prime strawberry season right now too. We have the sweetest little place just outside town and its pick-your-own strawberries, right from the field. If you can’t pick them yourself, store bought will do just fine. Smoking or grilling also really sets off the sweetness and get the juices flowing in the strawberries.
Smokin’ Simple Syrup with Vanilla, Citrus and Mint
I have to admit that we’ve been finding so many great smoking recipes now that we have our new Traeger Smoker. This cocktail is from the Traeger website. However, they sell their simple syrup, which I am sure is amazing….but, it’s like $15. I’m too cheap to spend that much on basically sugar and water. There’s a bit more to the flavor than that, but why not smoke your own simple syrup and really add a twist to your own home cocktails.
Heat your smoker to 180° Into a shallow baking pan, about 8 X 8, add 2 cups of sugar and 2 cups of water. For this syrup, I’m adding a vanilla bean and a few sprigs of fresh mint, a few large pieces of orange peel.
Imagine the fun you can have coming up with different flavor combinations. Depending on the flavors you’re looking for to boost your cocktail, think, jalapeno peppers, herbs, etc. for a smoked Margarita!
Mix to combine then smoke for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally to make sure the sugar is melted.
Let cool, strain and keep in a jar with a tight fitting lid. It will keep refrigerated for up to 30 days.
Smoked Strawberry Mule Cocktail
Add cleaned and husked strawberries whole to the grill of your smoker. You’ll want about 3-4 strawberries per cocktail, which includes garnish.
When ready to cook, start the Traeger grill on Smoke with the lid open until the fire is established (4 to 5 minutes). Set the temperature to 400° and preheat, lid closed 10-15 minutes. Place strawberries directly on the grill grate and cook 15 minutes or until grill marks appear. (Note, you can grill instead of smoke, but the cocktail will have a very different flavor. Still, a delicious option for sure!)
Remove the strawberries and set aside until it’s time to mix the cocktail(s)!
For the cocktail
Add 1 1/2 ounces of your favorite vodka, 2 or 3 smoked strawberries, 1/2 ounce of Vanilla Simple Syrup and 1/2 ounce of lemon juice to a shaker filled 1/2 way with ice. Shake vigorously.
Double strain into fresh collins glass or copper “mule” mug with crushed ice.
Top with about 3 ounces of ginger beer and garnish with extra grilled strawberries and fresh mint.
Cheers!
Strawberry Mule Cocktail made with Grilled Strawberries
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 3-4 fresh strawberries, grilled or smoked (2-3 or the cocktail and 1 extra for garnish)
- 1/2 ounce vanilla simple syrup
- 1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 3 ounces ginger beer
Garnish: Fresh grilled strawberries, fresh mint sprig
- Glass: Collins glass or copper mule cup
For the smoked Vanilla and Mint Simple Syrup
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 vanilla bean
- 2-3 sprigs fresh mint
Instructions
For the Smoke Vanilla and Mint Simple Syrup
- Heat your smoker to 180° Into a shallow baking pan, add 2 cups of sugar and 2 cups of water. Add 1 whole vanilla bean, split, seeds removed and a few sprigs of fresh mint with the a few strips of orange peel only.
- Mix to combine then smoke for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally to make sure the sugar is melted.
- Let cool, strain and keep in a jar with a tight fitting lid. The syrup will keep refrigerated for up to 30 days.
Smoking the Strawberries
- When ready to cook, start the Traeger grill on Smoke with the lid open until the fire is established (4 to 5 minutes).
- Set the temperature to 400 degrees and preheat, lid closed 10-15 minutes.
- Place strawberries directly on the grill grate and cook 15 minutes or until grill marks appear.
For the cocktail:
- Add vodka, grilled strawberries, Vanilla Simple Syrup and lemon juice to a shaker filled 1/2 way with ice.
- Shake vigorously.
- Double strain into fresh collins glass or copper "mule" mug with crushed ice.
- Top with ginger beer and garnish with extra grilled strawberries and fresh mint.
- Cheers!
Adapted from the recipe by traeger.com Karen Harris https://www.bittersaltysoursweet.com
