With everything that has transpired over the past year, I think we all need a shot or a strong drink for sure. I’m a wine or beer enthusiast but, I feel like we all should cheers to the new year ahead of us. Cheers to making it to another day cheers to family, love and, good health. We have all been impacted this past year in some way, shape, or form so let’s toast it up. Don’t worry I did include a mocktail recipe for those who don’t indulge or drink. Cheers to you for making it through!

Let’s drink about it and come up with the next master plan. Here are a mocktail and a few cocktails fitting for the occasion.

STRAWBERRY ORANGE GINGER FIZZ-Mocktail

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE SYRUP (MAKES ENOUGH FOR 6-8 DRINKS):

• 8 ounces strawberries, hulled and quartered

• 3 inches of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced

• Three 3-inch strips of orange peel, removed with a vegetable peeler

• 1/3 cup honey

• 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice

• 1/4 cup water

• Pinch of sea salt

FOR EACH DRINK:

• 2-3 tablespoons strawberry orange ginger syrup

• 6 ounces sparkling water and/or champagne

• 2 ice cubes

• Half an orange slice, half a hulled strawberry, and a sprig of mint, for serving

• INSTRUCTIONS

  1. To make the syrup, place all the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and then simmer for about five minutes, until the liquid surrounding the fruit is a bright pinkish-red and the strawberries themselves are much less vibrant.

  2. Let the syrup cool for five minutes, then pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl or jar, using a spoon to push on the solids in the strainer to extract as much liquid as possible.

  3. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature before making drinks with it, or store covered in the refrigerator for up to a week.

  4. To make each drink, put 2-3 tablespoons of syrup in the bottom of an 8- to 10-ounce glass. You can always start with two tablespoons and add more later if you'd like. Pour in sparkling water and/or champagne until the glass is almost full. Add two ice cubes. Garnish with a halved orange slice, half a strawberry, and a sprig of mint, and serve right away.

Cheers to new beginnings or keeping your head up while you pick up the pieces! Drink responsibly my friends…

The Dream Style

Recipes: acalculatedwhisk.com/@TipsyBartender