Strawberry Letter

Brian Hawthorne, Good Night Sonny | New York City

strawberry letter brian hawthorne

Created for his grandmother’s birthday, Brian Hawthorne’s Strawberry Letter began life as a convenient way to serve drinks to a crowd. “A punch is much better than individual cocktails at this kind of gathering,” explains Hawthorne, “because no one is stuck making drinks, but everyone’s glass is full.”

Hawthorne’s crimson-colored punch is a summery, sophisticated combination of gin, Lillet Rouge and strawberries, turned effervescent with sparkling wine.

Ingredients

Serving: 1

  • 1 1/2 ounce gin
  • 1 1/2 ounce gin
  • 3/4 ounce Lillet Rouge
  • 3/4 ounce Lillet Rouge
  • 3/4 ounce lemon juice
  • 3/4 ounce lemon juice
  • 3/4 ounce simple syrup
  • 3/4 ounce simple syrup
  • 1 strawberry
  • 1 strawberry

Garnish: strawberries, lemon wheel, mint sprig

Directions
  1. Muddle strawberry with simple syrup.
  2. Shake and double strain over ice in a collins glass.
  3. Top half and half with dry sparkling wine and club soda.
Editor's Note

Large-format recipe:

1 cup lemon juice
1 cup simple syrup
1 cup Lillet Rouge
2 cups gin
1 bottle dry sparkling wine
club soda to taste

Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl or large pitcher.
Add plenty of sliced strawberries and stir in blocks of ice to chill.
Garnish individual servings with a lemon wheel and a mint sprig.