The Spirit World

The farmer’s market gives us seasonal and tasty foodstuffs, and for that we are grateful. But if human history has taught us anything, it’s that if it can be eaten, then it can be turned into booze. Of course, the quickest way to get some farm into your glass is to muddle the fruit, vegetables, or herbs right into your shaker, add liquor, stir, strain, and drink. A delicious and expedient way of beverage-making, to be sure, but really just a starting off point.
Come along as I explore the world of homemade liqueurs, shrubs, schnapps, infusions, syrups, preserves, and garnishes—historical and new-fangled—that the bounty of the greenmarket can yield to the bibulous among us. After all, I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that patience is a virtue.
Strawberries are in season right now in New York, so I decided to start us off with Charles H. Baker, Jr.’s Tequila por mi Amante. This recipe comes from his book The Gentleman’s Companion Vol. II: Being an Exotic Drinking Book, or Around the World With Jigger, Beaker, and Flask, first published in 1939. Baker’s a funny, boozy, well-traveled guy and definitely worth a read, if you can get adjusted to his old-timey racism and his insistence on blending drinks.

The recipe, which translates to “tequila for my beloved,” is basically just washed, hulled strawberries in a clean jar with tequila to cover. Baker recommends 1 pint of tequila to 1 quart of strawberries, but obviously you can vary the amount however you like. Tequila-wise, I used Don Nacho’s blanco because it was cheap-ish yet decently tasty.
Let the concoction sit for 3-4 weeks, strain out the strawberries, and you’re good to go. The tequila turns a beautiful bright red. Or in Baker’s words,
 

 “This berry process extracts some of the raw taste, adds a rosy dawn touch. Our Mexican drinks it straight always. We opine that handled in the same way as sloe gin, discoveries would be made.”

I believe I mentioned the racism? But yes, Tequila por mi Amante is delicious straight and cold, or given any of the usual tequila treatments. Hell, muddle it up with some simple syrup and some mint from the greenmarket and see where it takes you.