Ichigo Illusion - a strong yet refreshing cocktail

I'm falling in love with cocktails. I know it's a strange occurrence when I can't even drink more than half a standard drink but it's true. It's the vibrant colours and the refreshing ingredients (not to mention sometimes it's actually quite delicious) that has me hooked. It doesn't help when Yuye loves making cocktails and even has a mini bar of his own (it's actually bigger than some real bars I've been to).

I made another cocktail that looked a little Christmassy - I know Christmas is over but I can't get enough of that lovely green and red combination so here's a little post Christmas booze hit, I'm sure you haven't had enough yet. The name "Ichigo Illusion" is a twist on the popular Midori Illusion drink. 'Ichigo' means 'strawberries' in Japanese and of course is also the name of my blog! :D

This cocktail is a bit stronger than the Pimm's one, and contains more than a standard drink. Please drink responsibly.

Ichigo Illusion (an original recipe by Ichigo Shortcake)
Serves 2

Ingredients

- 2 strawberries
- 1/4 lemon
- a few mint leaves
- 1 shot Soho Lychee Liqueur
- 1 shot Midori
- 1 shot Vodka (I used Finlandia, but any vodka can be used)
- handful of ice cubes

Note: You will also need a shaker and a pestle. 1 shot roughly equals 45mLs.

Technique:

1. Pour Soho Lychee Liqueur, Midori and vodka into a shaker

2. Put in mint leaves, ice cubes and squeezed lemon juice then shake well. Shake harder and longer if you want a cooler and well mixed drink.

3. Pour liquid from shaker into 2 small cocktail glasses.

4. Smash strawberries with pestle until no large pieces remain then carefully place strawberry bits into the bottom of the 2 glasses with a long and thin spoon.

You can also add mint leaves and extra lemon juice to the end product if you want to, or even a cut wedge of strawberry on the side of the glass. If you find this cocktail too strong, you can add it to fresh ice cubes in a tall glass and enjoy it that way, however you probably can't get to the strawberries if you do so.

You may have noticed the murky slightly ugly looking cocktail glass in the background. The reason why I say to pour the drink in first and then place the strawberries is because when you pour the liquid on top of the mushed strawberries, they mix together and turn brown.

This drink smells a lot like lychee and I loved how refreshing it was. However, it was a bit too strong in alcoholic content for me and I really only took a few sips then gave the rest to Yuye. :P I need to really build up tolerance for alcohol especially when I'm getting addicted to making them!

Question time: Do you like your alcoholic beverages stronger or weaker (ie. in a shot glass or in a tall glass with ice and fruit)?

I prefer mine not as strong and preferably fruity, and even then I'd need about 1-2 hours to finish one drink. I'm so pathetic.

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