The Best Simple Strawberry Cocktail Recipe

This Strawberry Cocktail is a refreshing drink, made with simple ingredients. It’s a perfect way to sip on something special made with fresh fruit this summer.

In one of my conversations with my fave gut-health guru Kate Scarlata (you may recall she’s joined me on the podcast more than once), I learned that wine – thanks to its polyphenol content – is now considered a “prebiotic.” [Prebiotics are different than probiotics but both promote good gut health.]

Let’s be honest. Classifying wine as anything in addition to its already heavenly nature makes the world a happier place.

But as much as I love a cold glass of Pinot Grigio or a smooth sip of a big Cabernet (I prefer Dry Farm Wines for their cleaner winemaking practices), I am learning frequent wine drinking doesn’t love me back when it comes to sleeping my best. Listen to The Sleep Episode for more on this topic.

I’m not sure when my nightly glass of wine started messing with me, but I am sure that I can’t drink it as frequently as I used to.

Having been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, I also know nightly drinking isn’t necessarily what the doctor ordered.

The thing is, though, cocktails – read: liquor – don’t seem to have the same sleep-disturbing effect on me… yet. (As with all things health-related on this unmillennial side of 40, I realize this could literally change overnight. And also know that no amount of alcohol is exactly “cancer friendly.” I watch my alcohol consumption more carefully now than ever before.)

But I still like something special to sip on every now and again, ya know?

This:

I first created this cocktail, which used sparkling water rather than a probiotic drink, following a trip to Mexico with my husband. It still stands out in our minds as a refreshing, but complex mixture of flavors.

The addition of the probiotic is such a nice touch… not too sweet, but adding a nice burst of lemon flavor. I’m a fan of both the Lemon-Ginger and Lemon-Cayenne Kevita drinks, so take your pick of the two when choosing one to use in this probiotic cocktail.

Or, if you prefer your gut health in a glass to be wine instead, have one and think of me. I promise not to lose any sleep over your choice.

The Best Simple Summer Strawberry Cocktail

Print Recipe

This Strawberry Cocktail is a refreshing drink and a great way to sip on something special on a hot summer day.

Author: Regan Jones, RDN

Ingredients

Scale

2 – 3 medium-size ripe fresh strawberries, halved
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled cut into 2 pieces
1/4 cup fresh cilantro or mint leaves, torn
1 lime or lemon wedge
1 1/2 fluid ounces vodka
2 fluid ounces club soda or a sparkling probiotic drink (such as Kevita)

Instructions

Muddle together strawberries, ginger, and cilantro until crushed and juicy; add vodka and let stand 2 to 3 minutes. Fill a glass half-full with ice; strain strawberry mixture over ice. Squeeze lime juice from wedge into glass; top with club soda.