Upgrade Your Chocolate Covered Strawberries With A Boozy Twist

Strawberries are a favorite fruit for many. We can all agree, the peak way to enjoy them is still warm from the sun, gently twisted from the plant. But even when the ideal is far from possible, bursting containers are within reach. Although we know it won't be the same, a sweet reminiscence is enough to tempt us into shelling out more than we should for sub-par flavor and juiciness. However, there's a sure way to our hearts while we wait for berry season to arrive again and it's via a river of chocolate. If you cherish them separately, the pairing tastes divine — dare we say they're better together? 

Chocolate covered fruit is pleasantly over the top. Plus, according to UCI Health, chocolate covered strawberries are rich in antioxidants and polyphenols. Pineapple, kiwi, and bananas are also good options for dipping. But it is only strawberries that can be devoured intact and with the stamp of their wholeness present: Their stems and leaves, plump arrowhead shape, vibrant redness, and tiny, decorating seeds still pristine. Cherries are similar though they must be pitted, whereas strawberries need only a quick rinse. 

They can be made yet more enticing with a bubbly wine bath, or another spirit of choice. Dubbed boozy strawberries, per Café Delites, coating these cocktail-inspired bites in chocolate is a delectable alternative. 

Strawberries, chocolate, and alcohol — a love triangle that ends well. Per Wine Enthusiast, barrel-aged whiskey and rum share notes of vanilla and caramel found naturally in chocolate, while gin enhances fruitiness. However, they caution a cocktail is too complex a partner for chocolate, and pairings are better kept simple. It's partly their simplicity that makes boozy chocolate covered strawberries so delectable, yet they are a triumvirate of ingredients. The type and brand of both the chocolate and spirit can be tailored to personal taste. While some recipes include one of the above alcohols, others use plain vodka, and Hostess at Heart takes things one step further with double chocolate vodka. 

Whatever the infusing liquid, the process is the same but the soaking time may differ; Various recipes suggest anywhere from two hours to 24 hours, per Hostess at Heart. Generally for boozy strawberries, the longer they're left soaking, the more alcohol they'll absorb and the softer they'll become so it's best to err on the side of caution to avoid sogginess. 

Select whole, bright strawberries with the stems and leaves still attached. After washing and drying them, pour the alcohol over to cover, using a plate or plastic wrap to keep them submerged — they'll need to be refrigerated during soaking.  According to Café Delites, to ensure the chocolate adheres, the berries should first be drained and well-dried before they're dipped in melted chocolate. Once coated, refrigerate the strawberries until the chocolate sets. For the best texture, enjoy soon after they're made.