Skip sugary drink mixes with strawberries in season

STRAWBERRY

CHEESECAKE

Start to finish: 5 minutes

Servings: 1

1 large graham cracker, finely crushed

1⁄2 ounce lime juice, plus extra for coating the glass

2 ounces vanilla vodka

1⁄2 ounce sugar-free vanilla syrup

1⁄2 ounce fat-free vanilla coffee creamer

1 fresh strawberry, stemmed

1⁄2 cup ice

Place the graham cracker crumbs in a shallow bowl. Place 1 or 2 tablespoons of lime juice in a second shallow bowl. Overturn a martini glass and dunk the rim first in the lime juice, then in the crumbs to coat the rim. Set the glass aside.

In a blender, combine the 1⁄2 ounce of lime juice with the vodka, vanilla syrup, coffee creamer, strawberry and ice. Blend on high for 1 minute, or until smooth.

Recipe adapted from Teresa Marie Howes' "Skinnytinis," Wiley, 2009

STRAWBERRY SHAG

Start to finish: 20 minutes (5 minutes active)

Servings: 1

3 to 4 large fresh strawberries, stemmed and thinly sliced, plus 1 whole berry reserved as garnish

1⁄4 cup powdered sugar

1 to 2 large sprigs fresh basil, plus extra for garnish

Ice

11⁄2 ounces vodka

1 ounce lemon juice

3 to 4 ounces chilled soda water

In a small bowl, combine the strawberries and sugar, toss well. Let sit for 15 minutes.

In a cocktail shaker, combine the basil and the strawberries and any juice collected in the bowl. Gently crush using a muddler or a wooden spoon. Fill the shaker with ice, then add the vodka and lemon juice. Cap the shaker.

Shake vigorously. Pour into a large glass, then top with soda water. Stir. Garnish with a strawberry and fresh basil.

Recipe adapted from Kathy Casey's "Sips and Apps," Chronicle Books, 2009)

STRAWBERRY

CHEESECAKE

Start to finish: 5 minutes

Servings: 1

1 large graham cracker, finely crushed

1⁄2 ounce lime juice, plus extra for coating the glass

2 ounces vanilla vodka

1⁄2 ounce sugar-free vanilla syrup

1⁄2 ounce fat-free vanilla coffee creamer

1 fresh strawberry, stemmed

1⁄2 cup ice

Place the graham cracker crumbs in a shallow bowl. Place 1 or 2 tablespoons of lime juice in a second shallow bowl. Overturn a martini glass and dunk the rim first in the lime juice, then in the crumbs to coat the rim. Set the glass aside.

In a blender, combine the 1⁄2 ounce of lime juice with the vodka, vanilla syrup, coffee creamer, strawberry and ice. Blend on high for 1 minute, or until smooth.

Recipe adapted from Teresa Marie Howes' "Skinnytinis," Wiley, 2009

STRAWBERRY SHAG

Start to finish: 20 minutes (5 minutes active)

Servings: 1

3 to 4 large fresh strawberries, stemmed and thinly sliced, plus 1 whole berry reserved as garnish

1⁄4 cup powdered sugar

1 to 2 large sprigs fresh basil, plus extra for garnish

Ice

11⁄2 ounces vodka

1 ounce lemon juice

3 to 4 ounces chilled soda water

In a small bowl, combine the strawberries and sugar, toss well. Let sit for 15 minutes.

In a cocktail shaker, combine the basil and the strawberries and any juice collected in the bowl. Gently crush using a muddler or a wooden spoon. Fill the shaker with ice, then add the vodka and lemon juice. Cap the shaker.

Shake vigorously. Pour into a large glass, then top with soda water. Stir. Garnish with a strawberry and fresh basil.

Recipe adapted from Kathy Casey's "Sips and Apps," Chronicle Books, 2009)