Cheers! We have so much to celebrate. Spring is here and I get to share some big, exciting news with you. True to my word in this birthday post, I’m stepping into my power. One step at a time, I’m doing it. Let’s pour ourselves a strawberry lemon spritzer and chat.
We’re celebrating, so we want a cocktail (or mocktail!) that looks just as vibrant and cheerful as it tastes. We want the lightness of lemon, the brightness of spring strawberries, and the sweet effervescence of prosecco or our favorite sparkling water. Once you’ve made the strawberry syrup, this cocktail/mocktail comes together in a breeze so can sip on it al fresco on a sunny spring day, share for a bridal or baby shower, or pour for your friends while you enjoy a visit and catch up. Let’s do that, shall we?
I’ll start by thanking each of you for the absolute outpouring of support after my post about 2022’s awful ending and how I’d use 2023 to step into my power. Your encouragement has meant the world. Your vulnerability in saying you’ve been there in that place where life leaves you no choice but to bet on yourself has left me feeling seen in a way too many people will never get to experience. Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it.
So what is this big step, you ask? I’ve started my own business! It’s terrifying and exhausting and exhilarating and I’m so glad I’m doing it. By day, I’m nearly 20 years into a career in public education, specializing in gifted education. I truly consider it my privilege and my calling, so I’ve taken that passion and experience and started Growing Up Gifted. My mission is to help parents and educators understand, support, and empower the gifted kids in their lives. I truly want all gifted kids to thrive and I believe one of the most impactful ways to accomplish this is by helping the adults who love, raise, and teach them. I’ve got parent webinars scheduled and I’ll be working with PTAs, schools, and districts to facilitate professional learning. I also share lots of helpful tidbits on instagram, twitter, and LinkedIn. If you’re a parent, educator, and/or gifted adult, I hope you’ll join the Growing Up Gifted community!
So let’s make ourselves another round of strawberry lemon spritzers and say cheer, sláinte mhath, prost, and cin cin. Here’s to doing big things and stepping into our power. Here’s the springtime and sunshine. Here’s to friendship, support, and knowing our worth. Cheers, friends. To all of it.
Sip this simple strawberry lemon spritzer cocktail or mocktail and enjoy sunshine, springtime, and the best of friendship all spring and summer long.
Strawberry Lemon Spritzer
an Apple a Day original
Ingredients:
For the strawberry syrup:
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
about 2 c. sliced strawberries
For one drink:
1.5 oz. strawberry syrup (the large side of a jigger)
0.75 oz. vodka (the small side of a jigger)
juice of half a lemon
4 oz. prosecco
6 oz. sparkling water, if making a mocktail (Limoncello La Croix is fabulous here.)
additional sliced berries, lemon wheels, and/or mint sprigs, for garnish
Directions:
- Make the strawberry syrup by combining sugar and water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir for 1 minute until the sugar dissolves. Add the strawberries and cook about 12 minute more, reducing the heat to low when the syrup begins to bubble. Stir and break the berries up with the back of a heat proof spoon or masher. Using a fine mesh sieve, strain the syrup into a bowl, pressing the berries against the sieve to extract as much juice as possible. Let cool completely, the store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator, up to two weeks.
- To make a cocktail, add strawberry syrup, vodka, and lemon juice to a glass, stir to combine. Add ice, then top with prosecco and stir again. For a less potent cocktail, replace the prosecco with sparkling water. For a mocktail, use only the strawberry syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water. Garnish with a lemon wheel, sliced strawberry, and/or mint and enjoy!
yield: 1 drink
Want to keep the celebrations going? Give this rosé Aperol spritz or classic Aperol spritz a try!
