Clever Cocktails: Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Smash

Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Smash 

I love Pink Peppercorns for their unique taste.  They are peppery but only mildly so, and have a sweet-fruitiness to them.  I made pink peppercorn simple syrup with the desire to work it into a cocktail creation.  The syrup came out quite tasty being delicate, sweet, earthy, and mildly peppered.  I actually added ¼ teaspoon of white pepper to boost the bite up a bit and suggest you adjust the recipe to your own taste.  Drawing from a dessert I know that beautifully combines the use of strawberries and pepper, I used that as a foundation and created the following:

Pink Peppercorn Simple Syrup

In a Small Sauce Pan Add:

• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 ¼ Cup Water
• ¼ Cup Crushed Pink Peppercorns
• ¼ Teaspoon White Pepper (optional)

Bring to a Boil, Lower Heat, Simmer until Reduced by ½, Cool and Strain into a Sterile Bottle, Keep Refrigerated (Will Keep About a Week)

Pink Peppercorn Sugar

• 2 Tablespoons Pink Peppercorns
• 2 Table Spoons White Sugar

Grind to a Fine Consistency in a Small Chopper

Strawberry-Pink Peppercorn Smash

In a Pint Glass Add:

• 1 ½ Ounces London Dry Gin
• 3 Chopped, Hulled Strawberries
• 1 Ounce Pink Peppercorn Syrup
• Muddle Everything (That is the Smash Part!)
• 2 Ounces Pink Grapefruit Juice

Top with Ice and Shake Like the Dickens, Pour into a Pink Peppercorn Sugar Rimmed Highball Glass.  Top with Soda Water & ENJOY!