Fresh vs frozen strawberries

Fresh ripe strawberries give the cleanest flavor, but frozen berries work year round and blend into an even smoother puree. Thaw frozen berries first so you can strain out the seeds, and taste before adding syrup since frozen fruit is often picked riper.

How to make silky strawberry puree

Blend hulled strawberries with a splash of water, then push the puree through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds and pulp. This one step separates a cloudy, gritty martini from a polished, professional pour.

Make it your own (variations)

Swap plain vodka for the red-berry vodka if that is what you have, add a few basil leaves for a herbal note, rim the coupe in sugar for dessert appeal, or top with a splash of prosecco to turn it into a strawberry martini spritz.

Non-alcoholic strawberry martini

Replace the vodka with chilled white cranberry or white grape juice, keep the strawberry puree, lemon, and syrup, and shake the same way for a kid-friendly pink mocktini.