Follow these easy recipes to elevate summer days with vibrant strawberry sips

As the sun gets warmer and the days start to stretch therersquos nothing quite as satisfying as a cold drink that captures the essence of the season Enter the strawberry bright sweet and undeniably vibrant While we often think of this beautiful fruit as just a snack or a dessert topping it is actually a powerhouse ingredient for any home bartender or host looking to elevate their drink gameAcross Indiarsquos most creative bars and kitchens mixologists and bartenders are coming up with exciting recipes to showcase this seasonal star They are moving beyond the simple garnish to explore how strawberries can bring depth colour and a touch of indulgence to our glasswareWhether yoursquore looking for a rich playful treat to serve after dinner or a light fizzy cooler to beat the afternoon heat wersquove gathered some of the most delicious recipes to celebrate the seasonrsquos bountymdashone sip at a timeVery Berry StrawberryThink of it as a decadent milkshake with a serious kick Combine creamy strawberry ice cream with a basket of fresh berries and dark rum to create the perfect poolside refreshermdashor the ultimate afterdinner dessert As Vikram Achanta founder and CEO of Tulleeho puts it ldquoItrsquos a drink that evolves quickly one minute yoursquore admiring the fresh berries the next yoursquore three deep and wondering why all fruit salad doesnrsquot come with a side of rumIngredients Dark rum 60 mlStrawberry ice cream 4 scoopsFresh strawberries 5Orange juice 1 splashIce 12 scoopFresh strawberry 1 garnishMethod1 Wash and stem the strawberries2 Add the strawberries dark rum strawberry ice cream orange juice and ice to a blender3 Blend the mixture until it is smooth and thick4 Pour the contents into a margarita glass5 Slit the reserved strawberry and perch it on the rim to garnish serve immediatelyPunk SlipWho actually thought a pink slip was the best way to say Yoursquore fired Itrsquos hilariously iconic so the team at Nao Spirits and Beverages turned the joke into their favourite drink Made with fresh Punk Gin lime and a whisper of vanilla and pepper the Punk Slip is light tart and undeniably fresh making it the perfect companion for those long hazy afternoons that turn into early eveningsrdquo says Evgenia drinks director Nao Spirits and BeveragesIngredientsPunk gin 45 mlAperol 10 mlVanilla syrup 15 mlLime juice 15 mlFreshly ground black pepper garnishBasil leaf garnishMethod1 Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice2 Double shake and fine strain into a chilled coupe glass3 Garnish with ground black pepper single basil leaf and serve4 Use 10 drops of vanilla essence or syrupStrawberry Aperol SpritzFor those looking to add a seasonal refreshing tweak to the Italian classic here is an easy yet elevated recipe ldquoStrawberry Aperol Spritz is the perfect sundowner sipper with a strawberry breeze on the palaterdquo says Deepankar Sardana head bartender at Raasta KharIngredientsAperol 60 mlFresh strawberries 23Prosecco 60 mlSparkling water 30 mlOrange wedge GarnishBasil leaf GarnishMethod1 Clean and dry the fresh strawberries then submerge them in the Aperol within a sealed glass jar for 24 hours to infuse2 Add ice to a chilled wine glass3 Pour 60 ml of the strawberryinfused Aperol into the glass4 Add 60 ml of Prosecco sparkling wine5 Top with a splash approximately 30 ml of sparkling water or soda6 Garnish with an orange wedge a strawberry and a fresh basil leafSummer Strawberry CoolerLooking for a vibrant pickmeup This Strawberry Mint Cooler is the perfect nonalcoholic escape Summer calls for something fun and vibrant and thatrsquos exactly what this cooler is The sweetness of strawberries the freshness of mint and the sparkle of soda come together in a way that instantly lifts your moodrdquo says Yashwant Sopane executive chef Sayaji HotelIngredientsFresh strawberries 23Mint leaves 45Strawberry crush 10 mlMint syrup 5 mlSimple syrup 15 mlSoda 150 mlCrushed ice 1 scoopMint sprig GarnishStrawberry slice GarnishMethod1 Prechill a Tom Collins glass or Champagne flute2 In a shaker gently muddle the fresh strawberries and mint leaves to release the juices and oils without making the mint bitter3 Add the strawberry crush mint syrup and simple syrup to the shaker with a small scoop of crushed ice4 Shake or stir lightly for 10 seconds to combine the flavours5 Strain the mixture into the chilled glass filled with fresh crushed ice double strain for a smoother texture6 Slowly pour 150 ml of chilled soda into the glass and stir once gently7 Garnish with a slapped mint sprig and a strawberry sliceThe Queen of Hearts MartiniWhile brandy might not be the first choice for a fruity drink for those looking for a stronger kick with your strawberries fifthgeneration distiller Sanaya Dahanukar Marketing Manager Tilaknagar Industries Ltd shares a polished martini ldquoIn the Queen of Hearts Martini the grape richness of Monarch meets the brightness of strawberry and instantly lifts the entire drink It is vibrant and deceptively easy to sip yet it still carries enough depth and structurerdquo she posesIngredientsMonarch Brandy 45 mlStrawberryMixed berry marmalade 1 bar spoonOrange liqueur 15 mlLime juice 15 mlFresh strawberry 1 GarnishMethod1 Add the brandy marmalade orange liqueur and lime juice into a cocktail shaker with ice2 Shake vigorously to ensure the marmalade is fully incorporated and the drink is wellchilled3 Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass4 Garnish with a fresh strawberry optional dip the strawberry in sugar or chocolate for a romantic touch