Strawberry Black Pepper Tequila Smash
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Liven up your summer with this refreshing Strawberry Black Pepper Tequila Smash. Full of bright fruity flavors and a hint of pepper (and ginger!) spice you can’t go wrong with this drink for a summer date night, garden party, or signature wedding cocktail.
Move over Margarita, the new tequila drink is in town. This Brass Pine original recipe is my new summertime go-to libation. Tequila and strawberries go amazingly well together but with the addition of fresh ginger syrup, cracked black pepper, and a dash of cardamom spice, you will be over the moon with this cocktail recipe.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
Mixed to Impress. This drink will impress your guests with unexpected flavors they will want on repeat. Do them a solid and send them the recipe link.
It’s Pink. A perfect flamingo pink hue for many themed get-togethers. Bright and summery, this eye-catching drink will steal the show at your next happy hour.
It has tequila in it. Need I say more?
Ingredients needed for a Strawberry Black Pepper Tequila Smash:
- Tequila. My go-to is Espolòn Tequila Blanco, and I highly recommend it.
- Ginger Syrup. Make this fresh for the best flavor and zip. See recipe below.
- Lime Juice. Freshly squeezed is always preferred.
- Fresh Strawberries. Use very ripe strawberries for maximum flavor and sweetness.
- Cardamom Bitters. I use the Bitter Housewife Cardamom Bitters exclusively, it’s amazing.
- Black Pepper. Pre-ground pepper will work fine, but for a more robust peppery spice use freshly ground black peppercorns.
Tools you will need for the Tequila Smash:
- Measuring Jigger. This copper jigger from Cocktail Kingdom is my go-to.
- Muddler. I prefer a classic wood muddler over other materials for durability, hand feel, and ease of cleanup. A good wooden muddler should be made of solid wood and free of varnishes, sealants etc. Cocktail Kingdom knocks it out of the park with a quality muddler that will last you a lifetime.
- Cocktail Strainer (unless you are using the Yeti Rambler).
- Cocktail Shaker. A good quality shaker is a staple for any bar. My new favorite cocktail shaker is the YETI Rambler. With the strainer built right in there is no need for extra tools, and the seal on this shaker is phenomenal. No messes! I highly recommend it.
- A Double Old-Fashioned Glass. Or Rocks glass, or even a Highball glass will work with this drink.
How to make a Strawberry Black Pepper Tequila Smash:
- Wash, hull and roughly chop the strawberries.
- Add chopped strawberries, black pepper, and ginger syrup to the shaker and muddle.
- Then add the tequila and lime juice.
- Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Add 2-3 dashes of Cardamom bitters and more Black Pepper on top.
- Garnish with a strawberry slice and lime wedge on the rim of the glass.
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How to make Ginger Syrup:
Tools:
- Small Saucepan
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup of fresh ginger peeled and chopped
Instructions:
- Add equal parts water and white sugar to a saucepan. Bring the water to a boil and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Add the ginger. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat then cover with a lid and let sit for a minimum of one hour before you use it. The longer you let it sit the more flavor you will get from the ginger (I like to let mine steep overnight).
- Strain out the solids and transfer to a syrup bottle with a tight seal.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
What if I’m too lazy to make my own Ginger syrup?
I get it. Sometimes your 8-hour workday feels more like 20, and the last thing you want to do is get out a pan and cook something. Luckily Liber & Co. has you covered with their fiery Ginger Syrup. It’s pretty darn good for a bottled version.
How to make this Tequila Smash for a crowd:
First multiply the ingredients by the number of drinks you want to make. Muddle the strawberries, ginger and pepper in a “prep” pitcher then add the remaining ingredients and stir thoroughly. Strain the mixture into your serving pitcher and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
Pour cocktail directly over fresh ice in your glasses, then top with the bitters, additional pepper and garnish. You can also set this out for guest to serve themselves.
More Summer Cocktails:
- The Blue Lagoon Cocktail
- Sweet Strawberry Bourbon Cocktail
- The High Score Sips Pac-Man Cocktail
- Bee’s Knees: A Classic Gin Cocktail
- Easy Creamy Root Beer Cocktail
Strawberry Black Pepper Tequila Smash
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Tequila Blanco
- 1 oz. Ginger Syrup use 1.5 oz. if you like sweeter cocktails
- 1 oz. Lime Juice
- 1 large Strawberry or 2 medium strawberries
- 2-3 dashes Cardamom Bitters
- 5-6 dashes Black Pepper or more to taste
Instructions
- Wash, hull, and roughly chop the strawberry.
- Add chopped strawberry, black pepper, and ginger syrup to the shaker and muddle.
- Add the tequila and lime juice.
- Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Add 2-3 dashes of Cardamom bitters and more Black Pepper on top.
- Garnish with a strawberry slice and lime wedge on the rim of the glass.
- Cheers!