**ADVANCE FOR FRIDAY JUNE 12** **FOR USE WITH AP LFESTYLES** This May 25, 2009 photo show a Strawberry Cheesecake, foreground, or Strawberry Shag. Fresh strawberries help create awesome summery drinks to enjoy on the back deck. The drinks will make the best of the summer's juicy fruit. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe)
STRAWBERRY
CHEESECAKE
Start to finish: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
1 large graham cracker, finely crushed
1⁄2 ounce lime juice, plus extra for coating the glass
2 ounces vanilla vodka
1⁄2 ounce sugar-free vanilla syrup
1⁄2 ounce fat-free vanilla coffee creamer
1 fresh strawberry, stemmed
1⁄2 cup ice
Place the graham cracker crumbs in a shallow bowl. Place 1 or 2 tablespoons of lime juice in a second shallow bowl. Overturn a martini glass and dunk the rim first in the lime juice, then in the crumbs to coat the rim. Set the glass aside.
In a blender, combine the 1⁄2 ounce of lime juice with the vodka, vanilla syrup, coffee creamer, strawberry and ice. Blend on high for 1 minute, or until smooth.
Recipe adapted from Teresa Marie Howes' "Skinnytinis," Wiley, 2009
STRAWBERRY SHAG
Start to finish: 20 minutes (5 minutes active)
Servings: 1
3 to 4 large fresh strawberries, stemmed and thinly sliced, plus 1 whole berry reserved as garnish
1⁄4 cup powdered sugar
1 to 2 large sprigs fresh basil, plus extra for garnish
Ice
11⁄2 ounces vodka
1 ounce lemon juice
3 to 4 ounces chilled soda water
In a small bowl, combine the strawberries and sugar, toss well. Let sit for 15 minutes.
In a cocktail shaker, combine the basil and the strawberries and any juice collected in the bowl. Gently crush using a muddler or a wooden spoon. Fill the shaker with ice, then add the vodka and lemon juice. Cap the shaker.
Shake vigorously. Pour into a large glass, then top with soda water. Stir. Garnish with a strawberry and fresh basil.
Recipe adapted from Kathy Casey's "Sips and Apps," Chronicle Books, 2009)
STRAWBERRY
CHEESECAKE
Start to finish: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
1 large graham cracker, finely crushed
1⁄2 ounce lime juice, plus extra for coating the glass
2 ounces vanilla vodka
1⁄2 ounce sugar-free vanilla syrup
1⁄2 ounce fat-free vanilla coffee creamer
1 fresh strawberry, stemmed
1⁄2 cup ice
Place the graham cracker crumbs in a shallow bowl. Place 1 or 2 tablespoons of lime juice in a second shallow bowl. Overturn a martini glass and dunk the rim first in the lime juice, then in the crumbs to coat the rim. Set the glass aside.
In a blender, combine the 1⁄2 ounce of lime juice with the vodka, vanilla syrup, coffee creamer, strawberry and ice. Blend on high for 1 minute, or until smooth.
Recipe adapted from Teresa Marie Howes' "Skinnytinis," Wiley, 2009
STRAWBERRY SHAG
Start to finish: 20 minutes (5 minutes active)
Servings: 1
3 to 4 large fresh strawberries, stemmed and thinly sliced, plus 1 whole berry reserved as garnish
1⁄4 cup powdered sugar
1 to 2 large sprigs fresh basil, plus extra for garnish
Ice
11⁄2 ounces vodka
1 ounce lemon juice
3 to 4 ounces chilled soda water
In a small bowl, combine the strawberries and sugar, toss well. Let sit for 15 minutes.
In a cocktail shaker, combine the basil and the strawberries and any juice collected in the bowl. Gently crush using a muddler or a wooden spoon. Fill the shaker with ice, then add the vodka and lemon juice. Cap the shaker.
Shake vigorously. Pour into a large glass, then top with soda water. Stir. Garnish with a strawberry and fresh basil.
Recipe adapted from Kathy Casey's "Sips and Apps," Chronicle Books, 2009)