Garden Party Recipe

Prepare fruit

Place 3 hulled ripe strawberries in a mixing glass or shaker. Use a muddler to gently muddle the strawberries until they are broken down and slightly pulpy but not completely liquefied (about 8–10 gentle presses). This releases bright strawberry flavor without too much pulp.

Combine spirits and citrus

Add 2 oz Hayman's London Dry Gin, 1 oz Aperol, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup to the muddled strawberries in the shaker or mixing glass.

Shake

Fill the shaker with ice, cap, and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted. If you used a mixing glass, stir vigorously and then double-strain after shaking separately into the serving glass (see next step).

Prepare a highball or large rocks glass: fill it halfway with fresh ice (or to taste). Double-strain the shaken cocktail over the ice to remove strawberry seeds and pulp for a cleaner texture.

Top the strained cocktail with about 2 oz chilled club soda (adjust to taste) to add effervescence and lighten the drink. Gently stir once with a bar spoon to incorporate soda without losing carbonation.

Thread a thin strawberry slice onto the rim or place it on top of the ice, and add a lemon wheel on the rim or floated in the glass. Optionally express a lemon peel over the drink for an aromatic lift.

Serve immediately with a straw or stirrer. Enjoy chilled.