Memorial Day in the United States is just a week away and that can only mean one thing. That’s right, it’s grilling season! When I say “grilling”, I mean everything that comes along with it – backyard parties, kids running through the sprinklers, cocktails on the patio and long, warm summer evenings. That’s where this fresh take on a classic Tom Collins cocktail recipe comes into play.
To kick off the season, I’m pairing up with OXO, the fantastic company behind of at least half of the tools in my kitchen. Not only do I use their tools for everyday cooking and Portion Control for Weight Loss & Healthy Living, but I also re-designed my pantry for How to: Organize Your Pantry. Well, it turns out that they have some equally awesome (read: functional, spiffy-looking and easy to use) cocktail tools.
Pictured: OXO SteeL 7-Piece Barware Set
What better way to start off the backyard party season than with a cooling cocktail that highlights fresh fruit? A classic Tom Collins cocktail is a simple concoction of gin, simply syrup, lemon and club soda. Classic and perfect in every way.
However, this Tom Collins maker happened to have a heck of a lot of fresh strawberries sitting in her fridge. So, the classic cocktail got a little summertime makeover with a splash of an easy strawberry puree, slightly sweetened with agave nectar, and a squeeze of lime juice.
This cocktail is not overly sweet, nor is it overly berry-ish. If you’re hoping for a full-on hit of strawberry, reminiscent of a strawberry margarita, well…then I suggest making a margarita. But if you want something that’s subtly flavored, cold and perfectly refreshing, then this is your drink.
The recipe:
Place the strawberries and agave nectar in a blender, and puree until smooth.
Pictured: OXO’s citrus knife, included in the OXO SteeL 7-Piece Barware Set
Using two Collins glasses, place a few ice cubes in each glass.
Pictured: OXO Good Grips Steel Ice Bucket and Tongs Set, Silver
Divide the gin, lime juice and strawberry puree between the two glasses. Stir with a long spoon.
Pictured: Cocktail Mixing Spoon & Jigger, included in the OXO SteeL 7-Piece Barware Set
Fill the glasses to the top with club soda. Stir again and garnish with lime wedges. Serve.
To stay updated on OXO’s newest tools and designs, follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
Other summertime cocktails:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Kicked-Up Avocado Margarita Recipe
Cookin’ Canuck’s Pink Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail Recipe
Foodiecrush’s Hotel Inspired White Peach Sangria
The Boys Club’s The Rhubarb Sour
Inspired Taste’s Southside Cocktail
Fresh Strawberry & Lime Tom Collins Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 ounces strawberries hulled & quartered
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- ice cubes
- 3 ounces gin divided
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice divided
- club soda
- lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Place the strawberries and agave nectar in a blender, and puree until smooth.
- Using two collins glasses, place a few ice cubes in each glass.
- Divide the gin, lime juice and strawberry puree between the two glasses. Stir with a long spoon.
- Fill the glasses to the top with club soda. Stir again and garnish with lime wedges. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: The OXO tools pictured were provided to me free of charge. In addition, I was compensated for this post. All opinions are mine. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
marla says
May 20, 2013 at 5:26 amWhat the what?! Can I have this gorgeous cocktail on a Monday morning??!!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
May 20, 2013 at 5:58 amThis is my ideal summer cocktail!! I love tom collins and this is such a fresh spin on it.
Tieghan says
May 20, 2013 at 6:02 amso gorgeous!
DessertForTwo says
May 20, 2013 at 6:13 amWow! These look so delicious! I love the fresh fruit. And gin is the best in the summertime.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ali | Gimme Some Oven says
May 20, 2013 at 7:02 amYour cocktails are always so pretty! This sounds wonderfully fresh. 🙂
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
May 20, 2013 at 7:33 amI can’t wait until Memorial Day weekend to sip on one of these… they look too good! 🙂
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
May 20, 2013 at 9:02 amyum!!!
Liz says
May 20, 2013 at 9:28 amThank you, Dara. Have a wonderful week!
Cookbook Queen says
May 20, 2013 at 11:37 amDara, this is absolutely fabulous!! what a yummy and gorgeous cocktail. I’ll take five!!
Julie says
May 20, 2013 at 12:28 pmThis looks so light and refreshing! I’m bookmarking it for when strawberries are in season again… which is not for another 4 weeks here 🙁
Shawna says
May 20, 2013 at 3:11 pmI have really enjoyed your blog. You have some wonderful recipes. This drink recipe looks delicious and I will be doing it for my trip on the west coast.
My sister and I are hosting a BBQ Block Party-Linky Party, recipe’s like this one would be fantastic and we would love for you to join us on Thursday, May 23.
http://easylifemealandpartyplanning.blogspot.com/p/bbq-block-party-thursday-linky-party.html
Hope to see you there
nessa says
May 20, 2013 at 3:49 pmThis looks great and perfect for summertime!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
May 20, 2013 at 3:56 pmHow refreshing, love the strawberries & lime combo!
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet says
May 20, 2013 at 3:59 pmLet’s be friends. 🙂 This looks amazing – and totally up my alley.
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
May 20, 2013 at 7:22 pmGreat drink recipe!
ashley - baker by nature says
May 20, 2013 at 7:44 pmI just started REALLY getting into gin this past year. I’m totally making these for me and the boys date night this weekend. xx
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
May 20, 2013 at 7:51 pmThe second I read “Tom Collins” my mouth instantly watered. I would drink Collins Mixer as a kid like soda! This sounds like my new favorite drink!!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
May 20, 2013 at 10:46 pmSo pretty and so refreshing!
Amanda says
May 21, 2013 at 6:53 amThose pictures should be in a magazine… seriously stunning! Great recipe and love how you are so dedicated to being healthy. I am just starting to try it and your blog has been a GO-TO for me… for beautiful and delicious recipes and wonderful writing and photography. I feel so lucky to have met you so many years ago and love seeing how you are making the world a better place!
Robyn says
May 21, 2013 at 8:44 amBeautiful! Thanks for the fresh, new idea for summer.
Mr. & Mrs. P says
May 21, 2013 at 10:22 amJust from the ingredients we would love this cocktail.. We are saving this for later… We are leaving for Paris tomorrow, so once we get back will unwind from our travels with one of these.. =)
jamie @ green beans & grapefruit says
May 21, 2013 at 10:24 amI can tell we are kindred spirits. This looks like heaven.
Donna says
May 21, 2013 at 4:12 pmWe just built a new deck on our house – C’mon over and let’s lounge on the deck whilst we have some fancy pretty drinks like these!
sippitysup says
May 21, 2013 at 4:24 pmI do like the pucker of a collins so I’m like that the strawberry seems understated. Just adding to the complexity. GREG
MyKitchenStove says
May 21, 2013 at 11:30 pmYour cocktail is very refreshing. It is a new idea for the hot summer. Must try the summer treat!!!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
May 22, 2013 at 1:00 amSo it’s still a couple of days until Friday and Memorial Day weekend but I desperately need a glass of this, stat!
Emanuelle @ Manu's Kitchen says
May 22, 2013 at 9:20 amThese look so incredibly delicious! I love the fact that they’re so healthy too! I love cocktails but I hate that they’re always so full of sugar!! Can’t wait to make these for guests!! 🙂
tracy | Peanut Butter and Onion says
May 22, 2013 at 11:16 amyay for summer and all the yummy drinks that come with it
Nutmeg Nanny says
May 24, 2013 at 9:55 amOh, so delicious 🙂 I am loving strawberry drinks lately!
Faith Towers says
May 24, 2013 at 6:58 pmI just made one and it’s DELICIOUS!! I skipped the club soda which gave it a more concentrated flavor… SO. GOOD.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
May 25, 2013 at 1:02 pmI’m so glad to hear that, Faith!
Jamie says
Jun 3, 2013 at 8:19 pmI love this! So summery!