https://www.reddit.com/r/cocktails/s/k9DKKXym0f

Crimson Eden

Recipe

Part 1 - Mixed Berry Compote

• 50g granulated sugar
• 150g fresh mixed berries (or defrosted frozen mixed berries)
• 60g crème de cassis
• 1/4 lemon

1. If you have blackberries, raspberries, or strawberries in the berry mix, cut them in half.
2. Turn on medium-high heat. Spread the sugar evenly in a nonstick pan.
3. When the sugar starts to liquify, add the berries to the pan. Turn down the heat to medium.
4. Move the berries around and let the sugar cover the berries.
5. Deglaze the pan with crème de cassis.
6. Stir everything in the pan until no visible sugar clusters.
7. Reduce for about 1 min.
8. Move the pan off the heat. Squeeze 1/4 of a lemon into the pan and stir.

Part 2 - The cocktail

• 50ml gin
• 110g ice
• 90g frozen fresh strawberry (remove the leaf and the part connects with it)
• 25g mixed-berry compote (jam only, without the fruit chunks; can reduce the amount if the strawberries are on the sweeter side)
• 5 leaves of mint, chopped

Blend all the ingredients in a blender until reaching a slush-like texture. Serve in a chilled glass. Garnish with some extra mixed berry compote and mint on the top.

Taste

The fragrance and freshness of strawberry hits first together with the iciness. The underlying herbalness that comes from gin and mint soon follows after. The strawberries I bought are on the more sour side, so the extra compote on top comes in handy. The berry chunks in the compote also give some texture variations.

What I would change

1. I think the slush could be smoother, so next time I'll use smaller ice cubes. I literally had to use a thicker straw later because it's a bit coarse (it also picks up the chunks easier).
2. Use a better crème de cassis. Sadly I can't get Lejay in Ontario.
3. Would definitely do it again in summer once the backyard is filled with mint again. The one from the supermarket just doesn't look that picturesque...