This has been a season filled with highs and lows. I don’t know how to make this easier or soften the blow, so I will just say it as it is. I became pregnant with my first child, and then we lost the baby. I won’t go into more detail than that here for a trigger warning, but I talked about it more in depth in this instagram post if you’re comfortable hearing more about what happened. Needless to say, it’s been really, really hard. When I first made + photographed this recipe, I didn’t know we’d miscarried yet, but thinking back over the past couple months, our little one’s existence lined up with strawberry season, so writing this post and editing these images has been really therapeutic. I feel like it’s a way for me to honor them through making and sharing something beautiful + joyful. They brought so much beauty and joy to our lives during the couple months we had them, so it feels only right to share that through a preservation of a sweet and too-short season with this strawberry liqueur.
The recipe here is as simple as they come, it’s just strawberries, sugar, and vodka. But there are a couple key things to keep in mind to ensure the most flavorful + bright flavors possible. 1) Use strawberries at the heigh of their season, and as local as possible. If you cut the strawberry, it should be red or at least pink inside. If it’s white in the center, it was picked unripe and the strawberry flavor won’t be as strong. If you’re buying strawberries from the store, avoid the ones in the plastic tubs, and opt for the ones in the aqua cardboard-y crates instead. And 2)—only allow the mixture to infuse for 2 days. This ensures you’re preserving the brightest, freshest notes from the strawberries in your strawberry liqueur, and not any notes of decomposition or fermentation. And if you want to make another batch of liqueur while you’re out purchasing vodka and sugar, this is also the season for harvesting green walnuts for nocino, and I have a recipe for that here, as well.
As for me, I’m taking it one day at a time and accepting my emotions as they come. Creating and cooking have been really helpful ways to work through what happened. I was really sick and sensitive to smells during the pregnancy, so I only cooked a handful of times because the scent of it made me feel too nauseous. Getting back to cooking + enjoying a variety of foods again has been a deep source of comfort. It helps to focus on doing things that make me feel good. And I know it’s not the end of the road for us, either. We will keep trying, and I hope with all my might that things will be different the next time around. ♡
Strawberry Liqueur
Ingredients
- 1 cup of sugar
- 30 ounces ripe strawberries cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
- 5 cups vodka
- 64-ounce mason jar with lid
- Multiple smaller mason jars for storing the finished liqueur
Instructions
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Add the sugar to the mason jar, then add the strawberries and the vodka. Screw on the lid as tightly as possible and shake to combine and until half the sugar dissolves.
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Soak for 48 hours, shaking it again on the second day until all the sugar dissolves. Strain through a mesh colander lined with two layers of cheesecloth placed over a bowl. Discard the strawberries and keep the liqueur. Use a funnel to transfer the liqueur to multiple smaller mason jars and screw on their lids. Store in a cool dark place. Will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 year.
Greetings, Eva.
Ahhhh, another beautiful recipe with your signature gorgeous styling.
The strawberries are so pretty and vibrant.
On another note, there is always light at the end of any tunnel. I’ve been through the same thing and in time, it all worked out.
Of course, it’s nice to immerse yourself in the creation of beautiful images that continue to bring joy and inspiration to others.
That’s good medicine too.
Take good care, xoxo
Thank you Lisa, and I’m so sorry you’ve been through this, too. It’s just so difficult to process the reality of it. And I completely agree, creativity and self-expression are such wonderful medicine. Really helps! <3
Thanks for sharing about such an intimate part of your life. I have daughters who have lost children and its a hard issue in life’s journey. I will keep you in my prayers, you are a strong woman and very talented. The recipe is beautiful.
Thank you so much for your prayers + support, Corrine. It’s such a difficult thing, I’m so sorry to hear that your daughters have gone through it before as well. It’s just such a shock, I still can’t believe that it’s gone. We’re going to try for a rainbow baby, really hoping things are different the next time around.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences and prayers for you and your family. ❤️🙏❤️😢❤️
Thank you so much, Vicki. That means a lot <3
Sorry to hear of your loss. I had several miscarriages’, they were all hard but I finally had my son Max and it was all worth it. Don’t lose hope. You look beautiful and I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Thank you, Kathy. I’m so sorry you’ve been through this too, it’s so incredibly hard. But I’m so happy you were able to have Max <3 I'm hoping for another pregnancy with a better outcome next time for us.
Dear Eva, I will keep a good thought for you as you make this transition.
So very sorry to hear of your loss. Sending love. Thank you for all that you do. I look so forward to your posts.
I rarely comment on posts..but after having suffered a miscarriage in my forties with my first in the second trimester…I assure you, I feel your loss, your pain and fears…. You are young and beautiful…and I truly feel you will have a beautiful baby in the future. I was told after the miscarriage, that it was simply my body trying to prepare itself…little consolation at the time…but I indeed now have a healthy sixteen year old. Blessings…you will make a lovely parents.
I rarely comment on posts..but after having suffered a miscarriage in my forties with my first in the second trimester…I assure you, I feel your loss, your pain and fears…. You are young and beautiful…and I truly feel you will have a beautiful baby in the future. I was told after the miscarriage, that it was simply my body trying to prepare itself…little consolation at the time…but I indeed now have a healthy sixteen year old. Blessings…you will make lovely parents.
Thank you so much for your support + kind words, Anne Marie. I am so sorry you’ve been through this, too. But so happy to hear that now you have a wonderful 16-year old child. I’m hoping that will be us in about 15 years’ time <3 Sending a hug!
could you put the discarded strawberries in a pie or
Thank you for sharing such a personal aspect of your life. My daughters have lost children, and it is a difficult subject in life. I shall remember you in my prayers; you are a strong and talented woman. The recipe is delicious.
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