Frozen Strawberry Orange Daiquiri

What started as a refreshing smoothie quickly transformed into a boozy frozen daiquiri - that's a win!

There is surprising satisfaction when a planned recipe turns into something different and ohhh so much better! No surprise I have a notebook filled with recipe ideas and late night scribbles. When I saw these sweet petite strawberries at the weekend farmers' market, I thought they would be perfect for a morning fruit smoothie.  After tasting and adjusting it was fine but didn't have that WOW factor I wanted so .... I tossed in some oj and dark rum and the smoothie transformed into a frozen tropical daiquiri - more please!!

The second time I made this, I wanted to try rimming the glass with something brighter and more flavorful.  The strawberry rim made from crushed freeze dried strawberries takes this to another level.  You can find freeze dried fruit near the nuts and dried fruit in many grocery stores.  The texture of freeze dried fruit reminds me of astronaut ice cream from when I was much younger.  When crushed this takes on a perfctly dusty texture ideal for making a sweet rim.

To Make the Strawberry Rimmed Glass

• 2 teaspoons crushed freeze dried strawberries 
• 1 teaspoon cane sugar
• orange wedge

To Make the Frozen Strawberry Orange Daiquiri (makes two daquiries)

• 1/2 cup diced strawberries
• 1/2 cup diced pineapple (frozen is great)
• 2 ounce dark rum
• 2 ounces OJ
• 4-5 ice cubes
• Strawberry Rimmed Glass

Strawberry Rimmed Glass - crush freeze dried strawberries.  I placed them in a ziplock and crushed with the back of a spoon until they become a powder.  Measure out 2 teaspoons of powdered freeze dried strawberry.  Place freeze dried strawberry and sugar in a saucer or small dish.  Run the orange wedge around the rim of the glass and dip the wet rim into the strawberry sugar mixture.  As an alternative, you can easily omit the freeze dried strawberry and just use one tablespoon cane sugar in the saucer.

Optional Garnishes

• Strawberries - halved and then slice 1/2 way up from bottom to easily sit on the glass rim - I left the little leaves on - it just adds some extra color to the glass)
• Orange Slice -  cut into 1/4 for a small wedge to add to the rim of the glass

Frozen Strawberry Orange Daiquiri - Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender until well combined and you have a smooth frozen daiquiri - serve in a sugar rimmed glass with a slice of orange and a half strawberry,

Stepping up my rim game - Freeze Dried Strawberries aren't just for Cereal!