Sweet strawberries, bright mint leaves, and warm black pepper smash together to make this refreshing summer cocktail!

Strawberry Black Pepper Smash | Fork in the Kitchen

You deserve this Strawberry Black Pepper Smash. This weekend deserves it. The 4th of July holiday deserves it. Basically, there’s no reason to not deserve this Strawberry Black Pepper Smash.

Ya feel me?

Strawberry Black Pepper Smash | Fork in the Kitchen

It was a close call over on the Insta stories for a cocktail or dessert bar recipe, but cocktail took the lead (barely), so cocktail it is! Never fear my dessert bar lovers, I’m still going to get it up for you before the 4th, and it’s such an easy you’ll be drinking Strawberry Black Pepper Smashes and eating Oreo dessert bars – which have yet to be officially named.

You’re welcome.

Onto these smashes though, because first things first, it’s the weekend! It’s summer! And it’s time to enjoy all the patios, and all the sunshine, with sweet summer strawberries.  And mint. Because nothing says summer better than strawberries and mint.

Strawberry Black Pepper Smash | Fork in the Kitchen

I’m a big fan of fruity summer cocktails – as we’ve seen here and here – so it was a no brainer that I should make a smash this time around. Basically a smash is just as it sounds: smash it up, pour in some liquor, and away we go. Light, refreshing summer cocktail, coming right up!

Strawberry Black Pepper Smash | Fork in the Kitchen

It does mean, however, that there are chunks of fruit in your drink. Which I love. If you don’t love it, though, you can feel free to strain it out just before drinking. To each his/her own, what matters is sipping on a refreshing cocktail in the sunshine this weekend. And every weekend here-on-out (responsibly though, friends, if I needed to say that).

What’s with the black pepper? What’s NOT with the black pepper is the better question. This summer is the summer of new, improved, of moving onward and upward, and that all includes adding some black pepper to your cocktail.

Strawberry Black Pepper Smash | Fork in the Kitchen

It gives the smash just a hint of heat – it’s so subtle yet takes the entire beverage up a notch. The pairing with the sweetness of the strawberries, the brightness of fresh mint, and the warmth of the black pepper is dynamite.

YOU CAN’T GO WRONG, FRIENDS!

  • easy!
  • quick!
  • refreshing!
  • subtly sweet!
  • light!
  • vodka!
  • dynamic!
  • did I say refreshing?!

Let’s get to it, shall we? The weekend is waiting, Strawberry Black Pepper Smashes are waiting, the sunshine is waiting! Go! Enjoy! Report back!

Strawberry Black Pepper Smash | Fork in the Kitchen
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Get the Recipe Strawberry Black Pepper Smash

Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
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Sweet strawberries, bright mint leaves, and warm black pepper smash together to make this refreshing summer cocktail!

Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • In an old-fashioned glass, add strawberries, mint leaves, and black pepper*. Muddle until combined.
  • Add about 4 ice cubes to the glass and pour in vodka, and stir to combine. Add additional ice and top off with club soda. Stir as needed, and add mint, a strawberry, and additional black pepper to garnish.

Notes

You can strain the strawberry pieces out of the drink if desired; do so just before serving.
Adjust black pepper according to your tastes, you may want to start with less and add more as needed.
Serving: 1cocktail, Calories: 132kcal, Carbohydrates: 7.9g, Protein: 1.1g, Fat: 0.4g, Fiber: 2.8g, Sugar: 3.5g
Course: Beverages
Author: Becca Mills
Cuisine: American
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