A strawberry shrub cocktail with chamomile and honey.
You guys.
I’m doing a thing.
It’s been something I’ve had my heart set on for a while.
But hadn’t really had the energy to let it live.
Until now.
Let’s start at the beginning. My opinion of St. Louis had to have evolved gradually. But it certainly seemed to have changed drastically overnight. I don’t remember an exact moment in time when it happened. Just one morning I woke up and was like, oh I love it here. I don’t ever want to leave. In one calendar year I went from a reluctant and begrudgingly new Midwesterner to a full-on proud St. Louisan.
The things about St. Louis that once left me underwhelmed now leave me full and satisfied. Most notably the burgeoning food scene and the beautiful people that make this city vibrant and alive. And for the past year there have been many real conversations in my home about me opening up my own restaurant. But because the length of our stay here is unknown, this seems out of the question. At least for now.
With this blog, I’m living the dream. I love my job. Yet I want to do more. Something more tangible outside of this space. I want to cook for people in real life. I want to foster an affordable, unique dining experience that everyone can enjoy. So with restaurant dreams on hold, I’m launching a pop-up dinner series.
I’ll be doing the cooking. And you’ll be doing the eating, drinking, mingling and relaxing. All events will be plant-focused, featuring local Midwestern produce and goods. My first event, Late Spring will be an intimate, plated dinner, underneath the stars, complete with hand-crafted cocktails and a fire pit.
Tickets are on sale now! For more details, click here.
Late Spring will kick off with this strawberry shrub cocktail in hand. A cocktail made with a fresh strawberry shrub and infused with chamomile tea and lightly sweetened with honey and spiked with gin. If you live in the St. Louis area I hope to see you at an upcoming pop-up event of mine soon. And if you have an idea for a pop-up or a venue or you’re a purveyor and you’d like to include your goods at my next event, send me a message. I’d love to collaborate!
All the love, all the time! xx
Strawberry Shrub
Ingredients
- 1 cup filtered water
- 2 cups strawberries diced
- 1/2 cup local raw honey
- 1 cup raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, bring the water and strawberries to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let cool for about 5 minutes. Strain the strawberries, discard the pulp and keep the liquid.
- Then add in the honey and stir to dissolve. Next add in the apple cider vinegar. Stir again to combine well.
- Cool completely before use.
- To serve as a shrub: pour 2 ounces of shrub over some rocks and top with club soda.
Chamomile Honey Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup filtered water
- 2 tablespoons loose chamomile tea
- 1/2 cup raw local honey
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, bring the water and chamomile to a gentle boil. Turn the heat off completely and steep for 10 minutes.
- Let the tea cool for about 5 minutes, then strain the tea leaves and discard.
- Add in the honey and stir to dissolve.
- Cool completely before use.
The Strawberry Shrub Cocktail with Chamomile + Honey
Ingredients
- 2 ounces strawberry shrub
- 1 ounce chamomile honey syrup
- 1 ounce gin
- ice
- chamomile flowers to garnish
Instructions
- In a shaker combine the shrub, syrup, gin and ice. Shake until frothy and strain into a martini glass.
- Garnish with a fresh chamomile flower.
Shelley Ludman says
This is super exciting! Such a fabulous idea to host pop-up dinners. I’m certain they will be absolutely fantastic. And these cocktails! Wowza. Love the flavour combination, and that colour! Stunning Sherrie!
Sherrie says
Thanks Shelly, xx!
amanda paa says
I have absolutely loved watching your transformation into a happy Midwestern lady. I didn’t ever want to say, hey, you’ll get used to it because we’re all so different. But I think you’ve found some of the very same things that keep me here. Even as I travel, I can’t see myself permanently in any other place. Your pop-ups are going to be magical. What a wonderful thing to cook for people in real life, and bring your nourishing and beautiful food right to them, and their hearts. xo
Sherrie says
Love you so much!
Tessa | Salted Plains says
Yay! It makes me so happy to hear how much you’ve grown to love STL. After living elsewhere for so long, I am so proud of how KC has evolved. Now, to get you over here to see which place you like best. Swooning over these cocktails and hoping you might have a summer event I can attend! xo
Sherrie says
We really do need to meet up soon! Fall?
Sara @ Cake Over Steak says
This is so cool! Good for you, lady. I wish I could attend one of these events in person; they sound fantastic. Good luck with all of it and I can’t wait to hear more. Any chance you’ll visit Philly for a special one?
Sherrie says
Sara! A pop-up in Philly would be the coolest!
Michelle @ Hummingbird High says
Congratulations! Your pop-up sounds (and is going to be) incredible!
Sherrie says
Thanks, sweet lady! xx
Barrie says
Nice! Pop-up dinners! What a fabulous idea Sherrie. What a great way to fullfil your passion for cooking for others. I have to plan a trip to visit so I can attend one of these. So proud of you. Love Mom, xo
Sherrie says
Thanks Mom, I love you.
Olaiya says
Congrats on the pop-ups! Sounds like so much fun. My husband and I are planning a trip to St. Louis this summer to see his parents. Would love to make our trip coincide with one of your dinners! Any chance you have future dates set?
Sherrie says
Olaiya! That would be so cool for you to make it to one. I’ve added an events tab so you can keep an eye on all my upcoming events.
Cindy says
This is so exciting, Sherrie! Congratulations and wishing you so much luck! This cocktail is a stunner!
Sherrie says
Thanks, Cindy!
Summer says
Ah! Yay! Your dinners sounds amazing. Good luck with your first one, I’m sure you’ll kill it, especially since it’s starting with this gorgeous drink. Also as a former Chicago-an I’m really glad you’re enjoying your time in the Midwest.
Sherrie says
Thanks Summer. It’s not so bad here after all, xx.
Lea says
Love what you are doing. It is heart-felt, luscious, and soul-full. Your love is shining! Congratulations!
Sherrie says
Thanks, Lea! xx
Jessie Snyder | Faring Well says
What a wonderful idea Sherrie! I love this and am so excited for you. You are a wealth of talent and have the sweetest heart. Wish I could attend! Maybe one day. Have a gorgeous weekend girl! xo
Sherrie says
Awe thanks Jessie. Maybe one day you totally can indeed! xx
Aida Mollenkamp says
Congrats on the pop-ups, Sherrie! And, this drink! Ah, you always win me over with your creativity!
Sherrie says
Awe, thanks Aida – too kind!
Andrea says
Yes! Come to Syracuse – we need something like this! Of course, you are my favorite food artist and I love, love, love what you are showing for this dinner.
Sherrie says
Love you, Gram.
alana says
AHH! Huge congrats on this exciting series! Wish I could attend IRL but will be stalking the socials to live vicariously through all the beautiful photos I’m sure you’ll be snapping! Also, this cocktail = my everything.
Sherrie says
Haha, thanks Alana. Stalk away, xo!
Shelly @ Vegetarian 'Ventures says
So excited for you and what you have planned next! Can’t wait to hear more about how the pop-up goes!
Sherrie says
ROADTRIP TO STL!
kristan says
Sherrie! I am so excited for you. You are such an incredibly talented woman! The only bummer is that I wish I lived closer to you, because I would attend everyone one of those dinners that you’ll be hosting. This cocktail is perfection. Congrats again lovely! xo
Sherrie says
I should take this show on the road. PNW?
sarah says
Congrats sherrie! I’m so happy for you. This is such a great idea – I just checked out your menu and it sounds amazing! Excited to follow along but jealous we can’t enjoy some of your delicious eats! Much love, xo.
Sherrie says
Sarah, I miss you!