With berry season just around the corner (or in full swing depending on where you live) and Cinco de Mayo coming up in just a couple of days, it only seemed appropriate to share this incredible fresh strawberry margarita recipe today! Make no mistake though, this is not your average strawberry margarita. This one is balanced out with a splash of balsamic vinegar and served up alongside the most incredible strawberry shortcake made with black pepper biscuits. Inspired by a day spent strawberry picking, these recipes make the most of spring’s most delicious berry bounty. Considering that strawberries are absolutely my favorite fruit by far, I fully intend to make a couple of these margaritas myself this week. Many thanks to Andrea Harper of Gray Harper Event Maker, Jade of Jade + Matthew Take Pictures and Samantha Huba for sharing!
Strawberry Basil Balsamic Margarita
- 4 – 6 fresh strawberries
- 1 – 2 oz tequila
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 basil leaves and sprig for garnish
- 4 cubes ice
- Sea salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- Lime wedge to garnish
Combine strawberries, tequila, ice, balsamic, and basil in a blender and blend until smooth. Meanwhile, mix together sea salt and ground black pepper in a small dish and use the mixture to coat the rim of your glass. Pour drink mixture into glass and garnish with lime wedge and basil sprig. Enjoy!
Black Pepper Biscuits
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1-1/2 cups cold buttermilk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Preheat oven to 450 degrees . Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a food processor. Pulse twice to distribute the ingredients evenly. Scatter the butter over the top of the flour mixture and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the buttermilk and pulse until the mixture just begins to come together.
Scrape dough onto a lightly floured counter (you may need to work in some flour if the mixture is too wet). Pat the dough into a 10 by 12 inch rectangle about 3/4″ thick. Use a 3″ round cutter to make biscuits, pressing together scraps of dough and repeating the process until you’ve used it all. Place the biscuits on 2 parchment lined baking sheets. Brush tops with cream and sprinkle with black pepper. Bake the biscuits for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and brush the tops with melted butter.
Lavender-Balsamic Strawberry Sauce
- 1 pound {about 2 cups} chopped and hulled strawberries
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1-1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (we used a lavender balsamic, but you can use any)
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook all ingredients for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll know it’s finished when the strawberries are soft and sauce coats the back of the spoon. Let cool – it can be served hot, cold, or room temperature. Spoon the sauce over a warm biscuit, and top with homemade whipped cream. For an extra kick, add a touch of black pepper to the whipped cream and crack a bit over top. Enjoy!
[Cocktail recipe + styling by Gray Harper Event Maker | Strawberry shortcake recipe by Samantha Huba | Photos by Jade + Matthew Take Pictures.]
Marlene @ Idle Hands Awake
Thursday 5th of May 2016
I am SO excited about berry season!!!! And both the drink and the biscuits look amazing!