his post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.
Cocktail History
The Strawberry Serenade is a Sips From Scripts original cocktail that was created for National Strawberry Day after being asked to make a recipe specifically for Mozart Distillery Chocolate Strawberry Liqueur. We opted for a dessert-style template that calls for rum accented with the sweet fruit liqueur and chocolate bitters, but instead of the usual heavy cream base, we chose cream of coconut to give it more balance and a dreamy texture. Its name is also a nod to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, an influential composer from the Classical period and the inspiration for the distillery’s name.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Dark Rum: This is a type of rum made with sugarcane, spices, and water that has been barrel aged for an extended period of time. We used Ron Cihuatán 8 Year Indigo Rum because it has sweet notes of vanilla, dark chocolate, coffee, hazelnut, and artisanal dulce de leche. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Caleño Non-Alcoholic Dark & Spicy Tropical Spirit in place of the rum.
Chocolate Strawberry Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with white chocolate, strawberries, bourbon vanilla, sugar, and alcohol. We used Mozart Distillery Chocolate Strawberry Liqueur because it has a rich fruit flavor and creamy texture. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Monin Premium White Chocolate Syrup and Monin Premium Strawberry Syrup in place of the chocolate strawberry liqueur.
Cream of Coconut: This is a thick cream made with coconut milk, sugar, citric acid, and other ingredients. We used Coco Lopez Real Cream of Coconut because it has a rich flavor and silky texture.
Chocolate Bitters: This is a food product made with chocolate, botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. We used Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters.
Strawberry: This a small red fruit that is soft and juicy and has yellow seeds on its skin.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry: This is a small red fruit that has been dipped in melted chocolate.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Muddler: This is used to muddle ingredients. We used the HQY Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddler.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Cocktail Pick: This is used to hold the garnish. We used one from the I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2024-10-03.
Tasting Notes
The Strawberry Serenade begins with aromas of fresh strawberry followed by a creamy, sweet taste comprised of strawberry on the forefront, chocolate showing up just after with a hint of the rum’s signature flavor, and an aftertaste of more chocolate and fruit which linger in the mouth.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: While the liqueur does most of the heavy lifting, the touch of coconut suggested by Kendall alongside the signature flavor of the rum makes for one incredibly tasty and surprisingly complex after-dinner cocktail that we both loved even more than the garnish we ate after finishing it.
Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Our friends at Mozart sent us this beautiful bottle of Chocolate Strawberry Liqueur for us to play around with, and the obvious first choice was a dessert drink. While I tried several versions using cream alongside vodka, rum, and different types of bitters, Kendall suggested trying Coco Lopez just for fun; while I was unsure at first because I didn’t want its flavors to impart, we tried it and it ended up being the best fit. It ends up being pretty imperceptible, just lending some sweetness while tying the other ingredients together, and we went with it immediately after trying it.”
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I was already a big fan of Mozart Distillery’s liqueurs after I started swapping out the coffee liqueur and chocolate bitters used in one of my all-time favorite drinks, the Mocha Spiked Horchata, for Mozart’s Coffee Chocolate Liqueur last year. That one’s since become a go-to, so I was excited to try out the strawberry version. I assumed Alex would turn to a cream-based template when making a recipe with it, but he ended up going for my suggestion of cream of coconut instead of dairy. Oh man, does it give the drink such a magical texture! I would describe it as taking a sip of a strawberry cloud—light, airy, a little fruity, and very easy going down. This would be a hit for Galentine’s Day or anytime you want to enjoy a sweeter pink drink with your ladies!”
Recipe
Strawberry Serenade
The Strawberry Serenade is a Sips From Scripts original cocktail that was created for National Strawberry Day after being asked to make a recipe specifically for Mozart Distillery Chocolate Strawberry Liqueur. We opted for a dessert-style template that calls for rum accented with the sweet fruit liqueur and chocolate bitters, but instead of the usual heavy cream base, we chose cream of coconut to give it more balance and a dreamy texture. Its name is also a nod to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, an influential composer from the Classical period and the inspiration for the distillery’s name.
Ingredients
Method
-
Stem strawberry, add to a shaker, and muddle gently.
-
Add rum, chocolate strawberry liqueur, cream of coconut, bitters, and cubed ice to shaker with muddled strawberry.
-
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
-
Strain into a cocktail glass.
-
Garnish with chocolate-covered strawberry.
