Photography by: Zhang Jinga (Left) and Bernadette Mira (Right)
To celebrate my upcoming 26th birthday on Monday the 13th of June, I decided to make a sweet little recipe for my lovely small group of followers and whoever else is reading out there in this social media universe. (Are you there? Is anyone reading this?)
The very talented and gorgeous 24-year-old model Ji Young Kwak inspired today’s recipe. I spent hours online being enamored by all the editorial photos that Ji Young Kwak has modeled for. I finally settled on this photograph taken by the ever so talented Zhang Jinga.
Kwak’s lovely dress that is enveloped by swirls, reminded me of a bubbly effect. I immediately thought of seltzer waters and how they give off that same bubble effect once poured into a glass.
So enough chit-chat, here is…
Strawberry Orange Spritzer
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 cup of granulated sugar
1 cup of water
1/2 cup of ripe strawberries
Juice from half of an orange
pinch of black cracked pepper
1/4 tsp. of nutmeg
pinch of coriander
1/4 tsp. of ground ginger
1 bottle of Classic Seltzer (I used Boylan)
Extra-
Blender, or food processor to blend ingredients
Frozen strawberries to top
Strawberry ice-cubes (chopped strawberries added to ice tray with some water)
Directions:
1. In a medium size saucepan, add water and granulated sugar. Bring to a simmer.
2. Stir and wait until sugar dissolves. (About two minutes)
3. Once dissolved, add strawberries, orange juice and spices.
4. On medium to low heat, stir ingredients until well combined.
5. Remove saucepan from heat and cool for a few minutes.
6. After the simple sugar cools, add it to a blender and blend till smooth.
7. After blending, add the simple sugar ingredients back into the medium saucepan and stir on medium to low heat until it becomes a thick consistency. About five to ten minutes.
8. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool again for a few minutes. Once cooled, pour into covered glass container. Refrigerate for four hours or overnight.
9. The day of or the next day, add 4-6 tbsp. of the simple sugar to a small wine glass. Add as much of the seltzer as you want. Stir it together then top it off with fresh or frozen strawberries or homemade strawberry ice-cubes.
Enjoy!
Photo by. Bernadette Mira
garment to gourmet 