It's a heat wave so we're mixing up this refreshing cocktail to help stay cool.

It's perfect for strawberry season. To make it extra festive, garnish with a few blueberries. This makes one large pitcher, approximately 8 cups.

Strawberry Gin Smash

1 lb strawberries, sliced

2 limes, zested, juiced and cut in quarters

2 T sugar

2 c. gin

Handful of fresh mint

4 c. seltzer (I used 2 cans of unflavored LaCroix)

Muddle strawberries, lime juice, lime wedges, mint and sugar until strawberries are smashed.  Stir in gin and lime zest. Just before serving, stir in seltzer.

Garnish with a strawberry and a sprig of mint.

You can also blend the sugar, lime juice and zest, and strawberries in a Vitamix or other high powered blender with ice. Then add gin and seltzer.