My strawberry shortcake cocktail is ready to shine any time of the year, no matter what you're celebrating.
Valentine's Day? Absolutely. Galentine's Day? It's pink, so duh. Birthdays? Sweet and simple. Mother's Day? Mama's gonna adore it. Easter? Just calls in spring!
It's inspired by a classic strawberry shortcake, all bright red strawberries and whipped cream. Simple and summery and sweet.
What I love most is how easy it is to throw together. Just made a big ol' pitcher for an Easter gathering at The Fig Orchard and it was a hit!
Sweet Strawberry Shortcake Martini
Since it’s strawberry season, I grabbed some fresh berries we picked at a local farm last week to make this cocktail extra special. Support your local farms, people!
I whipped up a sweet, smooth berry puree for a big punch of strawberry flavor and sweetness, then added Baileys Strawberries and Cream liqueur because, well, I had it on hand and it’s the perfect creamy addition to bring that shortcake vibe to life.
It’s all so, so easy. I’m a firm believer that cocktail recipes shouldn’t be complicated. But, of course, I’ve got tips for when you just want a cocktail without the fuss of making a puree. Simple, sweet, and ready to enjoy!
Ingredients Needed
- Fresh Ripe Strawberries and Granulated Sugar - this will make the strawberry puree.
- Whipped Cream Vodka - you can swap this for vanilla vodka or even strawberry flavored vodka!
- Strawberries and Cream Liqueur - you don't need to use Baileys, any brand will work here.
- Powdered Freeze Dried Strawberries (optional) - I always have a bag of these on hand. Just a few of them crushed up makes a pretty garnish!
How to Make My Strawberry Shortcake Cocktails
Step 1 | Make the Strawberry Puree. Puree your hulled strawberries with sugar in a blender until smooth. For the silkiest cocktail, strain it through a mesh strainer to get rid of those pesky seeds.
Step 2 | Shake it up. Pour the strawberry puree, whipped cream vodka, and Baileys Strawberries and Cream liqueur into your cocktail shaker with ice. Shake it like you mean it until the shaker feels ice-cold.
Step 3 | Serve it up pretty. Strain that dreamy mixture into a martini glass or coupe, then dust it with a little powdered strawberries or garnish with a fresh berry to make it look as sweet as it tastes.
Chef's Tips
- For an extra touch of elegance, chill your martini glasses before serving. Just pop them in the freezer for a few minutes or fill them with ice water while you're making the cocktail.
- A fresh strawberry on the rim is a simple, pretty garnish that adds a little extra flavor. You could also top the drink with a dollop of whipped cream for that full shortcake experience!
- If you’re short on time or just want to skip the puree step, you can use strawberry simple syrup or loosened up strawberry jam instead. Just start with 1 ounce of syrup per drink and adjust to your taste!
Equipment I Used
Frequently Asked Questions
Straining the puree helps create a smooth texture and removes any seeds, giving the cocktail a cleaner, more refined look. If you prefer a chunkier texture or don’t mind the seeds, feel free to skip this step.
You can use another strawberry liqueur (like a strawberry schnapps), and add a bit of heavy cream to maintain the creamy texture. The flavor will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.
To make a non-alcoholic version of the strawberry shortcake martini, simply replace the vodka and Baileys with a mix of strawberry juice (or puree) and a splash of heavy cream for that creamy finish. Like a fancy strawberry milk!
More Dessert Inspired Drinks
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Strawberry Shortcake Martini
Ingredients
For the strawberry puree
- ½ cup fresh strawberries, hulled
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
For the cocktail
- 4 ounces whipped cream vodka, or vanilla vodka
- 4 ounces Strawberries and Cream liqueur, I used Bailey's, use what you like
- 4 ounces strawberry puree, from above
- Ice
- Fresh strawberries for garnish, optional
Instructions
Make the strawberry puree
- In a blender or food processor, combine the chopped strawberries and granulated sugar. Blend until smooth, then strain in a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds. You should have about ½ cup of puree, 2 servings worth.½ cup fresh strawberries, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Prepare the cocktail
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the whipped cream vodka, Strawberries and Cream liqueur, and 2 ounces of strawberry puree. Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds to chill.4 ounces whipped cream vodka, 4 ounces Strawberries and Cream liqueur, 4 ounces strawberry puree, Ice
- Strain the mixture evenly into two chilled martini glasses. Garnish with a fresh strawberry on the rim, if desired.Fresh strawberries for garnish
Recipe Notes
Big Batch Strawberry Shortcake Martini (8 servings)
- 2 cup strawberry puree (1 cup sugar and 2 cups strawberries)
- 16 ounces vodka
- 16 ounces strawberries and cream liqueur
Chef Tips
-
- For an extra touch of elegance, chill your martini glasses before serving. Just pop them in the freezer for a few minutes or fill them with ice water while you're making the cocktail.
-
- A fresh strawberry on the rim is a simple, pretty garnish that adds a little extra flavor. You could also top the drink with a dollop of whipped cream for that full shortcake experience!
-
- If you’re short on time or just want to skip the puree step, you can use strawberry simple syrup or loosened up strawberry jam instead. Just start with 2 ounces of syrup or jam per drink and adjust to your taste!
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