Even though we’re dodging rain showers in Melbourne, I predict it will be a picnic season like no other! I celebrated my first group outing since the before-times this past weekend with a pink gin spritz designed for picnicking. It’s as easy as pie to make with crowd-pleasing flavours of citrus, strawberries and mint that speak of spring and summer. You can also add a splash of soda water to the mix if you’re getting too toasty in the sun.

– Piknic Spritz –

– Ingredients –

375g strawberries, chopped
1/3 cup icing sugar
40ml blood orange liqueur (e.g. Ambra Blood Orange)
20ml lemon juice
100ml pink gin (e.g. Cedar Fox Pomegranate Gin)
750ml sparkling pink wine (e.g. Tokar Estate Pet Nat Rosé)
Fresh mint and/or lemon slices, to serve
Fresh ice, to serve

– Method –

Pick out a couple of the best-looking strawberries to garnish. Blitz strawberries, icing sugar, lemon juice, blood orange liqueur and pink gin in a blender or preferably with a hand blender until smooth. Pour into a sealable bottle and chill until you get to the park. Then, divide the mixture into glasses over ice. Top with sparkling wine. Add reusable or eco-friendly straws to stir. Add mint and strawberries to garnish.

 Generously serves up to five fully vaccinated people from two households.