Strawberry Ginger and Black Pepper Martini

Hull and cut up the strawberries. Cook them over a low heat with the sugar, ginger and crushed peppercorns, until they thicken to create a “jam”. When cooled, store in the fridge.

To make the cocktail put 3 teaspoons of the mixture in the glass of a Boston shaker. Add vodka, shake vigorously with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Serve straight up.

For an extra touch you can make a mixture of sugar and black pepper – upend the martini glass into this and roll the rim around it before straining the drink. Makes 1 drink

*Boston Shaker: made of two tumblers, one is glass and the other is usually stainless steel. When the metal is placed over the glass, they form a seal and make a container for the shaking the ingredients.

*Muddling: ‘muddling’ ingredients simply means crushing them together to release flavours. Muddling sticks are available at most homeware stores. Or you can use the back of a wooden spoon or even the end of a rolling pin.