Name: Strawberry Serenade
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 2 fl oz Mozart Chocolate Strawberry Liqueur; 1.5 fl oz Dark Rum; 0.5 fl oz Cream of Coconut; 2 dashes Chocolate Bitters; 1 Strawberry; 1 Chocolate-Covered Strawberry

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Cocktail History

The Strawberry Serenade is a Novel Nightcaps original cocktail that was created for National Strawberry Day after being asked to make a recipe specifically for Mozart Distillery Chocolate Strawberry Liqueur. The drink opts 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, I 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 fermented sugarcane juice or molasses and yeast, which are distilled and then aged, often in charred barrels, to develop a full-bodied, caramelized flavor.

Chocolate Strawberry Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with cocoa, strawberries, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended and infused to develop a sweet, fruity flavor.

Cream of Coconut: This is a condiment made with coconut cream or coconut milk and sugar, which are blended and emulsified into a thick, rich spread.

Chocolate Bitters: This is a concentrated flavoring made with chocolate, herbs, spices, botanicals, and distilled alcohol, which are macerated or steeped to develop a bittersweet, chocolate flavor.

Strawberry: This is a type of berry grown on low plants that has bright red skin speckled with yellow seeds and tart, sweet flavor.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry: This is a strawberry that’s been dipped in melted chocolate.

Brands I Used

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker made with a large metal tin and a second tin or mixing glass that’s used for shaking and chilling cocktail ingredients.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a flat metal strainer with a handle and a coiled spring around the edge that’s used for straining shaken cocktails from a shaker while holding back ice and solids.

Fine Mesh Strainer: This is a mesh metal strainer with a tightly woven bowl and handle that’s used for straining out small ice shards and other solids while pouring cocktails from a shaker or mixing glass.

Cutting Board: This is a flat, durable kitchen surface made from materials like wood or plastic that’s used for slicing ingredients and preparing garnishes.

Paring Knife: This is a small kitchen knife with a narrow, sharp blade that’s used for peeling fruit and trimming garnishes.

Muddler: This is a handheld bar tool with a thick handle and flat or textured end that’s used for crushing ingredients to release their flavors.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender skewer made from metal, wood, or bamboo that’s used for holding cocktail garnishes in place.

Coupe Glass: This is a stemmed glass with a shallow, wide bowl that’s used for serving shaken cocktails and sparkling drinks without ice.

Tools I Used

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Faint pink color

• Aroma: Fresh strawberry and dreamy coconut

• Taste: Creamy and sweet strawberry, chocolate, and coconut flavor with a hint of rum spice

• Finish: More chocolate and fruit

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. Most assume you’d go with a cream-based template when making a recipe with it, but I ended up choosing 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. The Strawberry Serenade would be a hit for Galentine’s Day or anytime you want to enjoy a sweeter pink drink with your ladies!”