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When it comes to making cocktails, there are several ways you can go. There are the classics, like the mojito, the amaretto sour, or the cosmopolitan (which you’re probably familiar with if you live anywhere near New York City, like myself).

Or, there are the more non-traditional beverages, like the s’mores shot, martinis that literally change color as you drink them (it’s amazing what you can find on Google nowadays), anything involving alcohol that tastes like cheesecake, or one of the many cocktails that you literally set on fire.

While I may not be setting things on fire just yet (hey, there’s always tomorrow!), I did manage to get behind the bar at home and whip up something pretty tasty today.  I’m calling it the Strawberry Shortcake Martini.  Why strawberry shortcake, you say?  I’m glad you asked. This drink literally tastes like a piece of cake, which also ironically describes how easy it is to make.

It includes vanilla vodka, hazelnut liquor, sprite, strawberries and some sugar, along with whatever fancy glass you’d like to put it in. If you’re picky about your spirits, I used Smirnoff vodka and Frangelico, so I can attest to how good the cocktail will turn out if you use these brands (don’t worry, we’re not getting paid to say that)

The Strawberry Shortcake Martini is a pretty sweet way to cool down on a hot day, and finally gives you something to do with all of those early-summer berries you painstakingly picked from the farm last weekend (or, you know, bought at the store… I won’t tell).

Let’s face it; cocktails are so much better than anything else you might have had planned for those berries.  If you don’t think so yet, don’t worry, you will after a few of these bad boys.  A word to the wise, however… If you make these just as your fiancé or significant other is returning home from work, you’d better take your cocktail (or your pictures!) first, or you may turn around and find they’re almost gone! That sneaky bandit…

Feel free to improvise with this drink; I’d love to hear about it in the comments section! The creativity of my readers always amazes me.  Thanks so much to Meaghan for having me here today!  Be sure to check out the other creations in the summer cocktail series!

Jacqui is a New York-based author, food stylist, food photographer, and recipe developer. For more great recipes like this, visit her at DishingDelish.com, a food blog that focuses on easy, delicious recipes for the home cook.  She also loves to connect on Facebook and Twitter!